A Letter from Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis
Dear Friends,
After three years, keeping up with the latest COVID-19 news, data and facts can be difficult but the virus remains more severe than other common respiratory illnesses so it’s important to stay up to date.
COVID-19 cases, hospitalization, and death rates indeed continue to improve in Los Angeles County, but these numbers still haven’t dipped as low as at other points during the pandemic.
Each week, thousands of people across the county still become infected with COVID-19 and run the risk of dealing with serious and potentially lasting effects, especially if they’re older adults or people with underlying health issues. To lower those risks, the LA County Department of Public Health urges everyone to get the updated bivalent booster. As of April 2, only 42% of eligible Los Angeles County residents ages 65 and older, who remain the most vulnerable to hospitalization and death from COVID-19, had received the bivalent booster.
For some people, typically those who are older or immunocompromised, the bivalent booster may be their fifth vaccine. As the virus has changed, the types of protection needed have changed also.
The bivalent booster targets currently circulating strains and debuted in September 2022. If people are wondering whether they or their loved ones are due for the updated booster, an easy way to know is to look at when you had your last booster – if it has been more than eight months, before September 2022, you are due, and you’ll likely benefit from the increased protection.
Even with the ending of the federal, state, and local public health emergencies and much of the COVID-19 response shifts back to the traditional healthcare system, the County remains committed to providing quality information and services, especially to our most vulnerable. This includes our older adults, homebound individuals, people with disabilities, the uninsured, and the underinsured.
More information can be found at ph.lacounty.gov/howtogetvaccinated.
Sincerely,
Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
 I share the deep concerns of my East LA and Boyle Heights constituents who have been impacted by Exide’s operations for decades. To that end, I am thankful to Secretary Yana Garcia of the California Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Dr. Meredith Williams for joining me this week on a tour of the current Exide residential cleanup and participating in an insightful roundtable discussion with community groups and residents.
 Restaurants Care, in partnership with SoCalGas, PG&E, and SDGE, will provide grants to California-based restaurant owners located in the utility companies’ service areas that have less than five units and less than $3 million in revenue. Grant recipients will receive $5,000 that can be used on kitchen equipment, technology upgrades, employee training & bonuses, and unforeseen hardship. Applications will be open from Saturday, April 15 to Sunday, May 7.
 The LA County Performing Arts Recovery Grant is a new grant initiative designed to support the continuing recovery of LA County’s dynamic performing arts sector through flexible funding support that centers the artistic and creative process. This program will provide grants of up to $30,000 to artists, independent producers, and organizations dedicated to performing arts disciplines such as dance, music, theater, folk and traditional arts. The last date to apply is Wednesday, May 10.
 Eligible income-qualified households within the City of LA may receive up to $5,000 tax-free to help pay their utility bills. Through the Low-Income Household Water Assistant Program, qualified families can receive financial assistance to pay down their outstanding water and sewer bills. In addition, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps eligible residents to manage and meet their immediate home heating and/ or cooling needs.
 Are you looking for affordable housing in LA County? The Housing Resource Center is a tool to help list and find affordable, special needs, accessible, and emergency housing.
 The What I Need (WIN) app is a free, easy-to-use mobile app available 24/7 and connects anyone who is searching for free or low-cost services to over 2,300 helpful programs throughout Los Angeles County. Available in English and Spanish, WIN is downloadable from the app stores.
 Saturday, April 22 is Earth Day, and one way to celebrate it is by helping reduce your carbon footprint. To that end, Metro and Metrolink will be providing FREE rides on buses, trains, and other transportation services on Earth Day.
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