Full Notification

Current Initiatives and Updates

• Latest City Council Actions in Response to COVID-19 – At the September 15, 2020, meeting, City Council directed the City Council Subcommittee to explore public safety access and outdoor dining on Ocean Drive and County Beach parking requirements.
• Where LA County Stands on the States Tier System - On August 28, the state introduced its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a four-tier framework by which counties are measured for loosening and tightening restrictions on social activities and business operations. 
  • As of September 15, 2020, Los Angeles County remains in Tier 1, or purple status representing "widespread" risk, with the most severe restrictions. The Los Angeles County data on the State website reflects 9.1 new COVID-19 cases per day (per 100k) and a 3.2% positivity rate. While the County's positivity rate of 3.2% falls within the moderate tier between 2 – 4.9% positivity rate, because our case rate falls into a different tier, the stricter tier prevails. To move into a tier with fewer restrictions, the County of Los Angeles data must reflect 4 - 7 new COVID-19 cases per day (per 100k) and a 5 - 8% positivity rate. 
• Celebrate Rosh Hashana At a Distance – While Rosh Hashana is a time of family gatherings with special meals, you may be tempted to get together with other family members who do not live in your home. Please celebrate safely with only those in your household. Avoid all gatherings, and continue to follow social distancing guidelines. Your distancing sacrifice is an act of love as you continue to show care and respect to your community by keeping others safe.
• Everyone Counts! - The 2020 Census is the first time you can choose how you count and respond to the census online, phone (844) 330-2020, or by mail. The Census self- response deadline is September 30. Participation in the 2020 Census is more crucial to our community than ever. 10 minutes of your time to answer nine questions can impact Manhattan Beach for the next ten years! If you have not yet responded, visit 2020census.gov TODAY!

Federal, State, and County Updates

• Forbearance Information for Students, Borrowers, and Parents – The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act gave temporary payment relief to borrowers with qualifying federal student loans. The forbearance was extended to December 31, 2020. If your payments automatically come out of your bank account and have been processed since March 13, 2020, you may get a refund as part of the administrative forbearance. Visit ftc.gov for more information.
• Childcare Provider Grant - The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) provides COVID-19 CARES Act Childcare Grants. LACDA will provide grants of $10,000 or $40,000 to eligible childcare operators in Los Angeles County who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit lacda.org.
• Pandemic Recovery Funds for Small Nonprofits - The next round of L.A. Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund Grants will open for small nonprofits located in Los Angeles County on September 21, will close on September 25. Approximately 100 grants of $75,000 will be awarded. Grant winners are chosen through a randomized application system. Learn more and register to attend an information session on September 22. The application is available now for preview. Visit lacovidfund.org for more information.
• Update on L.A. County COVID-19 Rent Relief Applications – Due to the volume of applications received for the L.A. County COVID-19 Rent Relief program, applications are still under review. Once eligibility for the program is verified, applicants will be notified by email if selected for Rent Relief by September 21. Visit lacda.org for updates on rent relief.
• Scammers Prey During the Pandemic – With wildfires, hurricanes, and civil unrest adding to the global pandemic, there is an uptick in shameless scammers competing with legitimate charities advantage of your generosity. The Federal Trade Commission reminds the public not to be fooled and provides tips for safe giving on ftc.gov. In a separate post, the FTC also provided information on how Spot and Stop Dishonest Charity Fundraisers.
• COVID-19 Infection Prevention Requirements – The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) announced enhanced enforcement and employer reporting requirements of Assembly Bill 685 that allows for Orders Prohibiting Use and citations for serious violations related to COVID-19 to be issued more quickly. The law also requires employers to notify all employees who were at a worksite of all potential exposures to COVID-19 and notify the local public health agency of outbreaks. The changes will be in effect from January 1, 2021, until January 1, 2023. Visit dir.ca.gov for more information.  
• Actions in Response to COVID-19 – The Governor signed several legislative bills in response to COVID-19, including:
  • SB 1159 which expands access to workers' compensation and makes it easier for first responders, health care workers, and people who test positive due to an outbreak at work to get the support they need, including necessary medical care and wage replacement benefits; and
  • AB 685, which ensures timely notification to employees and local and state public health officials of COVID-19 cases at workplaces.
• COVID-19 Master Question List - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) published the Master Question List (MQL) for COVID-19. The MLQ is intended to quickly present available information to decision-makers in the operational response to COVID-19 and allow structured and scientifically guided discussions across the federal government, prevent duplication of efforts, and highlight and coordinate research. Visit dhs.gov to view the report.

• Federal Agencies Partner on Social Isolation and Loneliness Webinar - The Administration for Community Living, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institute on Aging will host a webinar series focused on aging. The first webinar's topic is how social isolation and loneliness affect older adults' health and well-being, particularly amid the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Human beings are social creatures, thriving on connections with others. These connections can reduce social isolation and loneliness and lower risk for various physical and mental health conditions. The webinar takes place Monday, September 28, at 11:00 AM. Visit nih.gov for more information and to register.
• Recover Your Business with Free Business Courses - The LA Law Library offers free courses to help build your business. Leading attorneys and financial professionals present a multi-part series giving entrepreneurs and business owners practical and comprehensive training needed to set up a company for long-term growth and success during challenging times. Courses start September 22 and run through November 24. Visit lalawlibrary.org for more information.
• Adult Obesity Worsens Outcomes from COVID-19 – New data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that adult obesity prevalence is increasing, and racial and ethnic disparities persist. Further, adults with obesity are at heightened risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. The 2019 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps show that twelve states now have an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%. This is up from nine states in 2018 and six states in 2017. For more information, visit cdc.gov.
• L.A. County Daily Briefing Statistics on COVID-19 – L.A. County Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 38 new deaths, three new case of COVID-19 in Manhattan Beach, and 1,160 new cases of COVID-19 in L.A. County in today's daily report. To date, DPH has identified 257,271 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 6,324 deaths. Testing results are available for more than 2,494,000 individuals, with 10% of all people testing positive. Currently, there are 780 confirmed cases currently hospitalized, and 31% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU. The number of daily hospitalizations has returned to levels seen early in the pandemic. Because it is highly likely that both flu and COVID-19 will be present in L.A. County this year, DPH advises residents to protect themselves from the flu by getting the flu immunization. Every year, tens of thousands of people nationwide are hospitalized or die from flu-related illness. Considering the toll COVID-19 has had on our healthcare system, now more than ever it is important to be protected from influenza by getting immunized. Not only is getting immunized important because it is safe and provides protection against the harmful effects of influenza, it can also help keep people out of the hospital which will conserve hospital resources that may be taxed with both influenza and COVID-19 circulating at the same time. You can get the flu immunization from your regular health care provider or local pharmacy. Flu immunizations are also provided at no-cost or low-cost at various locations throughout the County. Visit publichealth.lacounty.gov for more information on where you can get immunized for the flu. To view DPH's COVID-19 Daily Data, visit lacounty.gov. To view statewide case statistics and demographics, including positive cases, deaths, and testing results, visit covid-19.ca.gov.

[1] September 16, 2020, Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

[2] September 16, 2020, Source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

[3] September 17, 2020, Source: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

[4] September 17, 2020, Source:  http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/