March 15, 2021
Which COVID-19 Vaccine is for Me?
By Dr. William Kim, Chief Medical Advisor, Beach Cities Health District

In the last year, we’ve learned a lot about washing hands, wearing face masks and physical distancing since these were the available tools to stop the spread of COVID-19. Newly developed vaccines are another weapon to fight this virus and hopefully end this pandemic.

I often get asked, “What vaccine should I get?” and my answer is whatever vaccine is available when you get an appointment. All the vaccines – Pfizer-Bio-NTech, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson&Johnson) – provide a level of protection that is not available naturally. We’ve seen that the results of contracting the virus can be devastating. For vaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19, all three vaccines have been found to keep patients from getting seriously ill.
Updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy Thresholds to include Vaccine Equity Metric Goals
On March 5, the State announced updates to their Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In addition to assessing County case rates, positivity rates and positivity rates in neighborhoods with the lowest scores in the Healthy Places Index, the State is now taking into consideration the number of vaccinations that have been administered in the lowest resourced neighborhoods statewide. Unlike the other 3 metrics, vaccination numbers will be calculated statewide and used to change the case rate thresholds for counties to move from one tier to another.
Goal #1: Once 2 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state to the communities with the lowest score in the Healthy Places Index, the threshold to move from the purple tier to the red tier will go from 7 new cases per 100,000 people to 10 new cases per 100,000 people. To move to the orange tier, the threshold will remain at 4 cases per 100,000 people, and to move to the yellow tier, the threshold will remain at 1.
Goal #2: Once 4 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state to the communities with the lowest score in the Healthy Places Index, the threshold to move from the purple tier to the red tier will remain at 10 per 100,000 people, but the threshold will change for moving to the orange tier, from 4 new cases per 100,0000 residents to 6 cases per 100,000 people, and to move to the yellow tier, the threshold will change from 1 new case per 100,000 residents to 2 cases per 100,000 people.
Los Angeles County Moves to Red Tier
On March 12, the State announced 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to people in the most under-resourced communities across the state, which now allows Los Angeles County to move to the less restrictive red tier.

The Health Officer Order has been updated and aligns closely with the State’s re-opening framework allowed in the red tier. Additional safety modifications are required or recommended for certain sectors. 

Effective Monday, March 15 at 12:01 a.m., the following are permitted:
  1. Museum, Zoos and Aquariums can open indoors at 25% capacity.
  2. Gyms, Fitness Centers, Yoga and Dance Studios can open indoors at 10% capacity with masking requirement for all indoor activities.
  3. Movie Theatres can open indoors at 25% capacity with reserved seating only where each group is seated with at least 6 feet of distance in all directions between any other groups.
  4. Retail and Personal Care Services can increase capacity to 50% with masking required at all times and for all services.
  5. Restaurants can open indoors at 25% max capacity under the following conditions: eight feet distancing between tables; one household per indoor table with a limit of six people; the HVAC system is in good working order and has been evaluated, and to the maximum extent possible ventilation has been increased. Public Health strongly recommends that all restaurant employees interacting with customers indoors are provided with additional masking protection (above the currently required face shield over face masks); this can be fit tested N95 masks, KN95 masks, or double masks, in addition to the required face shield. Public Health also strongly recommends that all employees working indoors are informed about and offered opportunities to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Outdoor dining can accommodate up to six people per table from three different households.
  6. Indoor Shopping Malls can increase capacity to 50% with common areas remaining closed; food courts can open at 25% capacity adhering to the restaurant guidance for indoor dining.
  7. Institutes of Higher Education can re-open all permitted activities with required safety modifications except for residential housing which remains under current restrictions for the Spring semester.
  8. Schools are permitted to re-open for in-person instruction for students in grades 7-12 adhering to all state and county directives.
  9. Private gatherings can occur indoors with up to three separate households, with masking and distancing required at all times. People who are fully vaccinated can gather in small numbers indoors with other people who are fully vaccinated without required masking and distancing. 
After You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
On March 8, the CDC released guidance for those who are fully vaccinated.
People are considered fully vaccinated:
  • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or
  • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, like Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine
If it has been less than 2 weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second dose, you are NOT fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps until and after you are fully vaccinated. Learn what's changed and what hasn't changed here.
Who is Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment through the County?
Phase 1A:
  • Healthcare workers
  • Residents and staff at skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
Phase 1B, Tier 1:
  • 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

For more details on eligible occupations within each sector and required documentation, click here.
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.

Persons who are newly eligible and qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine due to a medical condition should note that during registration for an appointment, they will be asked to state that they have a high-risk medical condition or disability. To protect confidentially, they will not be asked to disclose the specific condition. People getting vaccinated must provide documentation at all appointments with either a letter from a healthcare provider, a personal physician or an agency providing services or, if not available, the eligible person or their caretaker will be asked to sign an attestation. 

All eligible persons will also need to provide identification (government ID not required) and proof that they live within LA County at their appointment.
Thinking of a Spring Break Getaway? Travel Advisory Still in Effect
Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 during this pandemic. Please do NOT travel if you are sick.

Non-Essential Travel
  1. Los Angeles County residents should continue to avoid all non-essential travel and stay within 120 miles from their place of residence, unless they are traveling for essential purposes. "Non-essential travel" includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. 
  2. All non-essential travelers from other states or countries are strongly discouraged from entering the County of Los Angeles and need to self-quarantine. 
  3. All persons arriving in or returning to the County of Los Angeles from other states or countries, must self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival, except as necessary to meet urgent critical healthcare staffing needs or to otherwise engage in emergency response. Additionally, this does not apply to individuals who routinely cross state or country borders solely for the purpose of essential travel.

To read the full Travel Advisory and Guidance, click here.
Center for Health & Fitness Allowed to Reopen: Date TBD
On Monday, March 15, the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order was updated stating that "Gyms, Fitness Centers, Yoga and Dance Studios can open indoors at 10% capacity with masking requirement for all indoor activities."
 
We're excited to announce that this means that the Center for Health & Fitness is allowed to reopen indoors with some limitations. Of course, the health and safety of its staff and members remains our top priority. We are currently finalizing a safe reopening plan and will soon announce our reopening date. We are also continuing our virtual programming.
As of 3/14/2021
928
1,250
2,606
Need help?
If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs help with health-related information and referrals, or errand assistance and meal delivery, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256, seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit us online at bchd.org/resources.
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Choose to be Part of the Solution
Take the Safe in the South Bay Individual Pledge
By taking the pledge, you are committing to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by protecting yourself and others. In addition to infection control best practices to keep you safe from COVID-19, you pledge to also focus on ways to care for your body, mind and community as we navigate the pandemic, and this new normal, together.
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.
March is Sleep Awareness Month
Sleep is a basic requirement for human development, health and well-being, just like nutrition and physical activity. After all, on average, we spend a third of our life sleeping! Learn the recommended amount of sleep per day and find tips for better sleep here.
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.
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.
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.

Website: bchdcampus.org/eir
Email:  [email protected]
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: 
 
Public comments at the March 24 meeting will begin following the Draft EIR presentation by Wood Environment at the regularly scheduled BCHD Board of Directors meeting.

For more information on how to submit a comment or join a meeting, visit bchdcampus.org/eir 
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
Safe in the South Bay Series: Reopening and Returning to the Workplace
Join an esteemed panel of experts who will provide the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccines and the ways residents, organizations, businesses, schools and the Beach Cities community can support COVID-19 recovery. 
Panelists:
  • Moe Gelbart, PhD, Thelma McMillen Center for Alcohol & Drug Treatment, Torrance Memorial Medical Center
  • Umme-Aiman Halai MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
  • David Shavelle, MD, Keck Medicine of USC
  • Lisa Von Eschen, The Maloney Firm
Wednesday, March 24
5 – 6:30 p.m.
Virtual BCHD Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, March 24
6:30 p.m.
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, March 25
6 – 7 p.m.
LIVESTREAM featuring performances by
Kevin Sousa and Gavin Heaney

Saturday, March 27
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Live Virtual Mental Health & Happiness Workshop: Cultivate Bravery
Virtual Blue Zones Project Nutrition Workshop
In collaboration with Cancer Support Community, Registered Dietitian Marissa Martorana will discuss how to eat well during cancer treatments, address common side effects and share tips to support proper nutrition and hydration. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Friday, March 26
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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!
Every Tuesday in April
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
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.
#LiveWellAtHome with Live Virtual Exercise Classes
Get unlimited access to all Center for Health & Fitness live virtual exercise classes for $32 monthly. Small Group and Personal Training is also available virtually. Learn more.
View Our Exercise Videos
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.
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.
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.