When It Seems Like Everyone Got the COVID-19 Vaccine Besides You…
By Kerianne Lawson, Chief Programs Officer, Beach Cities Health District
Vaccine envy, FOMO (fear of missing out) or plain jealousy. Wondering if that person who posted their vaccination selfie on social media was really eligible or if they jumped the line. Wanting your dose but feeling guilty about the equity and wondering if you are taking a dose from someone who is more at risk than you are.
With limited vaccine supply, vaccine distribution has been phased across populations. Other counties, states and countries are at different places in their vaccine rollout. Here in Los Angeles County, the COVID-19 vaccine is currently limited to individuals in Phase 1A and 1B.
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View the Virtual Safe in the South Bay Series: Reopening and Returning to the Workplace
The esteemed panel of experts provided the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccines, returning to the workplace and physical and mental health impacts and considerations.
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Panelists included:
- Moe Gelbart, PhD, Executive Director Thelma McMillen Recovery Center and Director of Behavioral Health at Torrance Memorial
- Umme-Aiman Halai MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
- David Shavelle, MD, Medical Director, Adult Cardiology & Interventional Lab, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute, Long Beach Medical Center
- Lisa Von Eschen, The Maloney Firm
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We look forward to seeing you at the Center for Health & Fitness and AdventurePlex! |
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The Center for Health & Fitness is reopening for Personal Training, Small Group Training, Massage and Private Pilates on April 1. If you are interested in booking a session, please email chfnews@bchd.org or give us a call at 310-374-3426, ext. 147.
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AdventurePlex is reopening for summer camp beginning June 21. At this time, summer camp is the only program AdventurePlex will be offering, with daily and weekly camps June 21 through August 20. |
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Los Angeles County Moves into Orange Tier
As of March 30, Los Angeles County has met the threshold for the less restrictive orange tier in the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. A revised Los Angeles County Health Officer Order will go into effect on Monday, April 5 at 12:01 a.m. to reflect newly permitted activities. This allows the County to follow the state guidelines and wait until three weeks are completed in the red tier to be sure that case numbers do not rise this third week since the County’s earlier re-openings. The Health Officer Order and modified directives for businesses will be posted on Friday, April 2, with an effective date of April 5.
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Expanded Vaccine Eligibility
Eligible Now
Phase 1A:
- Healthcare workers
- Residents and staff at skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
Phase 1B:
- Residents 65+
- Food and Agriculture
- Education and Childcare
- Emergency Services and First Responders
- Janitorial, Custodial and Maintenance Services
- Transportation and Logistics
- People who live or work in congregate living spaces
- People with serious health conditions/disabilities
Eligible Beginning April 1
Residents 50+
Eligible Beginning April 15
Residents 16+ (Note: Persons 16-17 years old can only receive the Pfizer vaccine)
For more details on eligible occupations within each sector and required documentation, click here.
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For those without access to a computer or the internet, or with disabilities, a County call center is open daily from 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. to help schedule appointments at 833-540-0473.
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Reduce Your Risk of COVID-19
Although Los Angeles County is soon to be in the Orange Tier, COVID-19 is still out there and is the leading cause of death in the County. We need to do all that we can to protect ourselves, our family and friends.
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Choose Wisely - Avoid the three C's
Confined Spaces - Especially with poor ventilation. Outdoors is better than indoors.
Crowds - The more people the higher the risk, especially if the crowd is unmasked, talking, singing, shouting or breathing hard (exercising).
Close Contact - Staying further apart is safer than being close together.
The more C's, the higher the risk!
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Take Steps to Reduce Your Risk
- Wash your hands often
- Wear a face mask around others - make sure it fits snugly. For better protection, wear a mask with two or more layers.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others
- Increase air flow - go outside, open windows
- Regularly clean surfaces that are touched often
- Keep the number of different households you socialize with small
- Get vaccinated when it is your turn
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Plan Ahead
Stay informed - Check online or call and ask about safety measures before going to a public place. Be prepared to follow the health guidance when visiting.
Be flexible - Be willing to change your plans or make a quick exit to avoid the three C's
Carry an extra mask and hand sanitizer when going out in public
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Need help?
If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs help with errand assistance or health-related information and referrals, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit us online at bchd.org/resources.
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Join the Healthy Minds Initiative
BCHD, in partnership with Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, is running a study on how proper diet and lifestyle can prevent brain disease. The study has transitioned to a virtual environment in response to COVID-19. Learn more.
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Apply to be on one of BCHD's Committees
Applicants must be a resident of Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach or Manhattan Beach. Deadline to apply is noon on Monday, May 3. Learn more.
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Healthy Living Campus
The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Healthy Living Campus on Beach Cities Health District's property at 514 N. Prospect Ave. is now available. BCHD has extended the requisite 45-day public review and comment period to 90 days, extending from March 10 through June 10.
Official public comments about the technical sufficiency of the Draft EIR impact analysis, mitigation measures, and alternatives will be accepted until June 10, 2021 at 5 p.m. PT.
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How to Comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report
90-Day Public Review and Comment Period: March 10 - June 10, 2021
There are a variety of ways to submit written or oral public comments.
Mail: Nick Meisinger re: Healthy Living Campus
Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.
9177 Sky Park Ct.
San Diego, CA 92123
Provide oral comments during one of these public opportunities:
For more information on how to submit a comment or join a meeting, visit bchdcampus.org/eir
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Center for Health & Fitness FREE Virtual Workshops
Thursday, April 1
10 – 10:55 a.m.
"No, this is *not* normal in menopause" - Dispelling Myths About 'The Change' with Dr. Jeff F. Lin
Friday, April 2
11 – 11:55 a.m.
Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening and Modifiable Risk Factors for Breast Cancer with Dr. Lorena Gonzalez
Friday, April 23
11 – 11:55 a.m.
Robotics in Total Joint Replacement Workshop with Dr. Andrew Wassef
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Virtual Families Connected Parent Chat
A free parent support group led by a licensed professional from the Thelma McMillen Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment at Torrance Memorial Medical Center held in partnership with South Bay Families Connected. Open to all parents.
Mondays*
10 – 11 a.m.
*No Parent Chat on April 5
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Virtual Happiness Chat
This is a casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation. Share ideas, tips, resources, jokes, quotes – anything that supports our happiness!
Tuesdays in April
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
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Virtual Families Connected Speaker Series "Social Justice Parenting: Teaching Children to Leverage Privilege for Good" presented by Dr. Mimi Nartey
Dr. Mimi Nartey will deliver strategies to empower parents to discuss social justice topics with their children, set intentions for themselves and their communities toward social justice outcomes, contextualize real and perceived social disadvantages and leverage social privilege toward the manifestation of a better world.
Tuesday, April 13
4 – 5:30 p.m.
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B-Well Together
The B-Well Together campaign is presented in partnership with BCHD and BeachLife Festival as a program offering mental health tools to increase happiness during COVID-19. The campaign will feature celebrity appearances, social media videos, livestream performances and community engagement.
Thursday, April 22
6 – 7 p.m.
LIVESTREAM featuring performance by
Lisa Loeb
Saturday, April 24
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Live Virtual Mental Health & Happiness Workshop: Boost Empathy
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Virtual BCHD Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, April 28
6:30 p.m.
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Virtual Blue Zones Project Nutrition Workshop
In collaboration with Cancer Support Community, Registered Dietitian Marissa Martorana will discuss how to eat well after cancer treatment, address common side effects and share tips to support proper nutrition and hydration.
Friday, April 30
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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Donate to the Beach Cities COVID-19 Fund
Donations will provide assistance to Beach Cities residents who are income qualified with essentials like groceries, household and cleaning supplies, rent and utility bill assistance and durable medical equipment to help keep them safe at home.
Residents wishing to submit donations by check can mail those to Beach Cities COVID-19 Fund, 1200 Del Amo Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
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COVID-19 Testing at BCHD Campus 514 N. Prospect Ave.
Los Angeles County testing sites, including the BCHD site, currently use nasal swab tests. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns healthcare providers and patients that the test made by Curative, an oral swab test, carries a risk of false results, particularly false negative results. The BCHD testing site does not use the oral swab.
Tests are free of charge and are by appointment only.
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Residents should get tested if they have symptoms or were exposed to someone who was positive and isolate immediately from their family and others if they have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. If you recently traveled and during your travels were in crowds, exposed to unmasked individuals in close proximity, or attended gatherings, you should get tested. |
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Note: Testing does not prevent people from transmitting and getting the virus and is not a substitute for physical distancing, wearing face masks over your nose and mouth, hand washing and avoiding crowds. |
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For more information about COVID-19, visit:
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