2020
For 30 years, it has been our privilege to publish congratulatory messages and photographs each year in the Pulse Beat to honor our Paramount graduates, and we have always conveyed to them our best wishes for future success with their educations, careers and lives.
We offer those same good wishes, of course, to those of you in the Class of 2020—but yours is a special, unprecedented case that evokes additional reflection.
We are keenly aware that due to these extraordinary times through which we’re all living right now, many of you missed out on traditional graduation ceremonies and celebrations of your achievements. That is most unfortunate and regrettable.
But we hope that these current hardships will strengthen you, because—as the harsh lessons of the past few months have taught us all too clearly—our country and our world is really going to need your strength, talents and youthful energy to do some very hard work and help us make significant changes as we learn from past mistakes and rebuild a better, safer, more secure world not only for you, but also for all those future graduating classes that will become part of your unique legacy.
Wearing face masks and practicing social distancing, members of the Paramount City Council boarded a decorated doubledecker bus to drive the streets of the City and encourage community congratulations for members of the graduating Class of 2020. (Please see additional honors for students and teachers on page 4.)
PULSE BEAT
Mayor’s Desk
MAYOR PEGGY LEMONS
ACity of Paramount reopenings
s part of Los Angeles County’s phased Road to Recovery, Paramount City Hall (16400 Colorado Ave.) and the City Yard (15300 Downey Ave.) both reopened for residents to conduct business on June 15. The City has also begun to once again accept applications for yard sales.
Normal business hours are being observed. City Hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the City Yard from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In both facilities, social distancing requirements are being enforced.
Other City facilities remain closed to the public until further notice.
Regarding City parks, physical distancing of six feet must be maintained at all times when engaging in activities. Currently, team and contact sports—including basketball, baseball, soccer and football that are held on park fields, in open areas and on courts—are not permitted.
Low-cost pet vaccinations
The City’s annual “Vaccine-A-Thons” for dogs and cats will be drive-thru events this year with pet owners required to wear face masks. They will take place Wednesday, July 15, and Wednesday, August 12, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Paramount Park, 14410 Paramount Blvd.
Onsite pet licensing will not be available this year.
A Producer of Renewable Fuels Using
Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils
Rabies vaccinations (required for all dogs by California law) will be priced at $7 each (plus a $2 medical waste disposal fee). This is a $10 to $15 savings over traditional prices. A complete selection of other pet vaccinations will be available at discounted prices, with special combination packs to allow pet owners even greater savings when they purchase multiple vaccinations.
You can get general health exams and services for your pets at discounted prices. A list of these services and their costs can be found at vetcarepetclinic.com or on flyers available at City Hall.
Flea control products Trifexis, Bravecto and NexGard may be purchased at special prices.
You can have a microchip registration done for identification purposes (if your pet is ever lost) for $30 and nail trimming for $15.
Checks, cash and credit cards will be accepted for these veterinarian services.
Please remember that dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in appropriate carriers.
All services are provided by licensed veterinarians from Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. For more information, please call 562-220-2018.
Free “Lunch at the Library”
Through August 7
“Lunch at the Library” is being held at the Paramount Library this summer through August 7 for anybody 18 years old and younger. Free nutritious meals for no-contact, grab-and-go pickup— to allow for physical distancing—are available Tuesday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. Meals are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
No lunch will be served on July 3.
“Lunch at the Library” is a partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and is supported by the California Summer Meal Coalition and California Library Association. The program is funded this year by a California State Library Grant.
PEP TALK
Paramount Education Partnership
Paramount students & teachers receive Education Month honors
The City of Paramount celebrates June as Education Month each year. In normal times, students and teachers are invited to the first City Council meeting in June to be recognized. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, plans had to be changed.
At the June 2 City Council meeting that was held remotely, Education Month was proclaimed and names of all those honored were read by City Councilmembers while a PowerPoint presentation with their names played on the screen.
Below are students from Paramount High School and teachers from throughout the Paramount Unified School District who were acknowledged for their achievements in 2020. The latest PEP Scholarship recipients were also recognized at the meeting (they were listed in this column in last month’s Pulse Beat).
TOP 25 ACADEMIC ACHIEVERS
Edward P. Quezada, also Paramount Hight School Class of 2020 Valedictorian
Fatima Y. Larios, also Paramount Hight School Class of 2020 Salutatorian
Christopher E. Lopez
Juan C. Madrid
Angel O. Gutierrez
Austin Garcia
Ashley M. Valencia
Arlin Moreno
Jaylene Martinez
Agustin H. Angulo
Isabella Villalobos-Arriaga
Cesar Gomez
Marisol Lozano
Erika Guerrero
Shirlysa P. Tieng
Alexa Tellez
Nathan G. Ceja
Eunice J. Selvas
Alexander J. Carlos
Isayah A. Nuestro
Allison Aguirre
Andrew R. Flores
Damaris G. Rojas
Arath B. Villanueva
Rebecca Mejia
TOP FIVE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
These students who put in the most community service hours during their high school years will be honored on banners at the Civic Center: Alejandra Quiroz, Karina Percastegui, Alejandra Rodriguez, Natalie Medina and Natalie M. Garcia Escobar
TOP
FIVE MOMENTUM STUDENTS
These students who overcame obstacles in their early years at school to become successful graduates will also have banners at the Civic Center: Oscar Becerra, Isai Lopez, Cesar Moreno, Isaac Orellana and Jeffry Torres Verdugo
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR: PARAMOUNT USD
Charlene Landry, Early Childhood Education
Laura McCormick, Alondra
Jamica Thrasher, Collins
Kailyn M. Ono, Gaines
Janel Lenox, Hollydale
Ryan Kirkpatrick, Leona Jackson
Elizandra López, Jefferson
Rebecca Gutierrez, Mark Keppel
Monica Rosa Garcia, Lincoln
Adriana Portillo, Los Cerritos
Marilyn Equihua, Mokler
Celia Gonzalez, Paramount Park
Maria Concepcion Gomez, Roosevelt
Erin Osborn Peck, Howard Tanner
Mildred McGrath, Wirtz
Barbara Bowman, Zamboni
Jaime D. Ramirez, Paramount High - West
Brittany T. Esnayra, Paramount High
Wenceslaus Zepeda, Odyssey STEM Academy
Katherine A. Thomas, Buena Vista High
Anita Whitaker, Paramount Adult School
The City of Paramount congratulates everyone for their exceptional accomplishments!
Homeless outreach continues to be a priority for Paramount
Part of the mission of the Paramount Public Safety Department is to provide outreach services to Paramount’s homeless neighbors in an effort to get them off the streets and into housing. The City’s Homeless Outreach Liaison works in partnership with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to deliver a multitude of such services.
During a recent outreach effort, help was provided for three individuals. Two qualified for Los Angeles County’s Project Roomkey initiative that offers temporary housing. Another neighbor, who has secured employment, was connected to LAHSA’s Family Services Division for aid in reaching his family.
Also, as part of the Department’s Safe Storage Program, the City acquired a 20-foot secured storage bin for keeping the personal property of homeless neighbors. The bin provides 20 individual storage areas for 90 days, or longer if needed. This is beneficial because, in some cases, homeless neighbors refuse services due to their inability to take their belongings with them.
COVID-19 court date?
This is a message from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office:
Did you or a loved one get released from County Jail because of COVID-19? If so, don’t miss your next court date or a warrant will be issued.
If you don’t know your next court date, and you want to speak to your attorney, the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office is available to help. Call toll-free at 833-700-2812.
Beware of COVID-19 scams!
Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about COVID-19 relief checks from the government. To learn more, visit consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/coronavirus-stimuluspayment-scams-what-you-need-know
Ignore scammer offers and ads for unproven vaccinations and home test kits. Most drugs and test kits being advertised have not been approved by the FDA and probably aren’t effective.
Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
Watch for emails falsely claiming to be from CDC or WHO. Visit coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest accurate information. Don’t click on links from sources that you don’t know.
Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card or by wiring money.
IN PARAMOUNT
he U.S. Census is still going on, and fewer than 60% of Paramount residents have filled out the short survey thus far. It’s very important that everyone in town be counted! These numbers will influence funding and other benefits for local services. Your Census information is confidential and cannot be shared. If you haven’t done so already, please go to My2020Census.gov to complete the brief form. To fill out the Census over the phone, please call 844-330-2020 for English and 844-468-2020 for Spanish.
Maro Sam & Karen Rojo
Membership RENEWALS
We’re very grateful that the businesses below have renewed their Paramount Chamber of Commerce memberships, making our valuable services possible.
Carlton Forge Works
53 years 7743 E. Adams St., Paramount, CA 90723
Landmark Insurance Agency 47 years 5406 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
The R.M. Cool Company..................................................................40 years
7201 Rosecrans Ave., Paramount, CA 90723
Emmanuel Reformed Church 23 years 15941 Virginia Ave., Paramount, CA 90723
ACE Clearwater, Inc.
7322 Quimby, Paramount, CA 90723
During these challenging times, teens and families need support more than ever. It can be difficult to know where to find a safe and supportive place to turn. With compassionate staff, counselors ready to listen and a clean and comfortable environment, Casa Youth Shelter remains committed to making physical and emotional safety for youth a priority.
Beds are available for youth ages 12-17 who need shelter, and counseling services are available for individuals, groups, and families in need. Parenting classes and case-management services are also being offered free of charge. There are also hot meals, new clothing, self-care supplies and more.
Casa Youth Shelter is open, safe and prepared. Visit Casayouthshelter.org to learn more or call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 800-914-CASA (2272).
19 years
Doublz Inc.................................................................................................19 years
15100 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723
Town Center Terrace
16200 Vermont Ave., C100, Paramount, CA 90723
Superior Protection Program
18 years
17 years
15317 Paramount Blvd., Ste.201, Paramount, CA 90723
So. Cal Immediate Medical Center
7300 Alondra Blvd Ste 108, Paramount, CA 90723
Penta Pacific Properties
9500 Norwalk Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723
17 years
17 years
Reddy Nagarekha, DDS....................................................................13 years 8311 Alondra Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723
W.H. Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning 13 years whplumbingheating-airconditioning.com
Optica Vision Centers (Inside Northgate Market) 7 years 16259 Paramount Blvd., Unit # B, Paramount, CA 90723
Kindred Hospital Paramount..........................................................7 years 16453 S. Colorado Ave., Paramount, CA 90723
Mr. J’s 7 years 7824 E. Alondra Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723
Bayfront Youth & Family Services 3 years 16444 Paramount Blvd, Suite 203, Paramount, CA 90723
RE/MAX College Park..........................................................................2 years 8527 Alondra Blvd. Suite # 141, Paramount, CA 90723
Community Medicine Inc. 1 year 8540 Alondra Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN —Full-time. Experience helpful, but willing to consider an excellent new graduate who can learn quickly. Call Martha at Fobi Pharmacy: 562-630-5700.
BARTENDER —Part-time, including evenings and weekends. Call Leroy: 562-634-9001.
SKILLED LABOR OPPORTUNITIES —SkillsetGroup currently has these positions available for first, second and third shifts: Machine operator, sanitation, loading & unloading, forklift drivers, production line, and order pulling. Come in and apply today! SkillsetGroup actualmente tiene aperturas para puestos disponibles para Primer, Segundo y Tercer turno. ¡Ven y aplica hoy! Call us at 866-375-3094 or use Instagram (@skillsetgroup) or Facebook for weekly updates. 7300 Alondra Blvd., Suite 202, Paramount, California 90723.
STATE FARM AGENT —State Farm Agents help their customers protect what’s important to them, all the while making time to give back to their neighborhoods. Improve your career! Call David Maciel: 562-305-2111.
FULL-TIME SEAMSTRESS —5-Star Interior Services, Inc., needs a full-time seamstress with drapery-making experience. Contact Leroy at 818-845-4518.
CREW WORKER —Specialty construction. Will train. Installation of epoxycoatings, including preparation of concrete floors and other structures using various equipment. Long-term, 30+ hours, including some weekends. Report in person to TECHCOAT, 15720 Garfield Ave., Paramount, California 90723; M-Th 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
member-to-member discounts Paramount Chamber of Commerce
As a Paramount Chamber of Commerce member, these discounts are extended to you by your fellow members. Visit the following businesses to receive the discounts listed below. But remember, these offers are available only to Paramount Chamber members!
Attorney & Legal Services
Lerma Law Office (562-272-4353):
15% discount on initial retainer fee or flat-rate service.
Automotive
Herald’s Garage (562-633-2136): 15% discount on labor and a free engine light reset.
Beauty
Family Cutz (562-408-2733): $3 off regular haircut, 10% off color service.
2rue Beauty Salon (562-952-1951): $25 haircut and blow out.
Marali Beauty Salon (562-964-1126): Free haircut & treatment with purchase of any chemicals.
Cleaners
Alert Cleaners (562-634-4602): 10% discount on any dry cleaning.
Communications
Transcom Telecommunications (562-630-1200, ext. 221): 10% off equipment (business phone services).
Contractors
H1 Floor Covering (424/785-5551): 15% off first visit.
Jones Scaffold Co. (800-266-3864): 10% off net rental of scaffold equipment.
Data Base Services
NEXTSTEP (877-305-6932): Free needs analysis and special Chamber member discount rate.
Dental
Paramount Dental Care (800-266-3864): Free whitening. Free exam. Free cancer screening Financial Services
SG Tax Services (562-630-4004): $25 off tax preparation for Chamber members and their employees.
Vicky Professional Services (562-634-1178): 20% off bookkeeping and accounting service.
Flowers
Diana’s Flowers (562-529-5045): Free local delivery and free balloons.
Case de las Flores (562-469-8776): 25% off any arrangement.
Funeral Services
Palacios Funeral Home (562-972-5429): 5% off services.
Hotels & Motels
Embassy Suites Hotel (562-861-1900): 15% off best available room rate (subject to availability). Ask for “Chamber rate.”
Insurance
2000 Insurance Service (562-602-0001): 25% off new business.
Medical
Clínica Médica Hispana (562-630-1991): 25% discount.
Lakha Medical Clinic (562-602-8877):
Alena Skin Care–Free consultation. Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center (562-865-9600)–10% off any laser or cosmetic surgery procedure.
Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center (562-865-9600): 10% off any laser or cosmetic surgery procedure.
Plumbing & Heating
Downey Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning (562-861-1234): 10% off HydroJet service and/or 10% off material.
Production (Events)
YSL Production (323-490-6315): 20% any event services: Sound, lighting, stage, LED video, wall & truss equipment.
Printers
Source Graphics, Inc. (562-408-2734): 10% discount on all printing.
T & C’s Screen Printing ((310-292-8508): Free two-color set-up on screen printing. Free set-up on embroidery ($50 value) on a 24-shirt minimum.
Real Estate
Century 21 Allstars–Mark Sourial (562-745-8171): Free market evaluation of your property.
GM Properties (562-696-0200): 5% of gross commissions on closed deals will be sent to the charity of our choice in your name. Ask for Matt.
Penta Pacific Properties (562-699-1922): Free market value opinions on commercial and industrial properties.
Real Estate Homes & Investments (562-200-1164): 20% discount. Ask about preferred pricing for Chamber members.
The R.M. Cool Company (562-630-6000): Ask about preferred pricing for Chamber members.
Restaurants
Café Corleone (562-408-6100): 10% discount on all food purchases.
Casa Adelita (562-408-2360): 10% off (may not be combined with other specials).
Casa Gamino (562-634-6225): 10% discount on food purchases.
Delfin Seafood & Market (562-630-1928): 10% off any order.
El Compa Restaurant (562-630-1068): 10% discount on all food purchases.
Gus’s Deli, BBQ & Grill (562-630-2802): 10% off all food purchases.
Mariscos El Perihuete (562-408-1661): 10% off on food purchases over $10.
Mariscos Mi Lindo Sinaloa #1 (562-529-5110): 10% discount on all food purchases.
Pika Tortas Ahogadas (562-529-5787): 10% discount on all regular-priced food items (excludes combo deals).
The Hummus Factory, Downey (562-622-2300): 20% off any order.
Wellness & Health
Spiritual Quest (877/535-2267): 50% off salt lamps only. Wholesalers & Distributors
Rayvern Lighting Supply, Inc. (562-634-7020): 5% off fixtures and ballast orders (commercial distributor of lighting and fixtures). To
Join the American Legion
If your ancestor served in the United States military, call for more information on Sons of American Legion (S.A.L.).
paramount Market Hours
These members of the Paramount Chamber of Commerce are prepared to accommodate senior and disabled residents, as well as other shoppers, during the ongoing coronavirus/COVID-19 public health emergency.
A&A Wholesale Grocery
3 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday 15134 Downey Ave. • 562-633-1161
Seniors, disabled & expectant moms: 7 a.m.-8 a.m.
All shoppers: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 13733 Garfield Ave. • 562-272-4516
Seafood Market & Restaurant Mon-Thur: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. • Fri-Sun: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Seniors, disabled & expectant moms: 7 a.m.-8 a.m.
All shoppers: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 15719 Downey Ave. • 562-333-4080
Seniors, disabled & expectant moms: 7 a.m.-8 a.m. All shoppers: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
M-Sat: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 8320 Alondra Blvd. 562-630-2802 16259 Paramount Blvd. • 562-259-9950
Stater Bros. Paramount
Seniors, disabled and expectant moms: 7 a.m.-8 a.m. All shoppers: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. 8640 Alondra Blvd. 562-633-5721
Grocery runs for seniors
To keep our seniors and disabled residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Journey of Love and Hope will be shopping for those in need and delivering food to them. To schedule a shopping trip, please email Inquire@paramountchamber.com .
Five ways to enable a safe return to work
By Kim Buckley of Swiftland Marketing (swiftlane.com)
As counties and cities begin to roll out phased reopening plans, businesses are trying to figure out how to reopen. Guidelines from the CDC and OSHA don’t always align across geographic locations and don’t perfectly apply to each company’s individual situation. For example, a small retail shop in the suburbs will have a different reopening plan compared to a software company based in San Francisco. Employees returning to the office post-quarantine are likely to be highly concerned about exposure, and may even exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of them may not like to come back at all or may prefer to continue working from home. Those who do return to the office will expect work to be healthier, cleaner, socially distant and empathetic.
Not every return to work plan will work across the board, but we’ve compiled the five things you should keep in mind as you prepare to reopen and return employees back to work.
1. Create a workplace health and safety plan—Existing protocols and procedures companies have surrounding safety and security are most likely not applicable in the current pandemic environment. As businesses continue to slowly reopen and remote employees start to return to the office, security, human resources and facilities teams need to prepare a comprehensive plan that is clearly communicated to all stakeholders. The plan should include the following:
• Update your company’s leave policy to accommodate workers under mandatory or precautionary orders of isolation or quarantine as well as those who’d need to stay at home to care for a sick family member or young child.
• Prepare a remote work policy or plan that realigns your work processes with expectations and technology.
• Actively encourage employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 or who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 to notify their supervisor and stay home.
• Facilities should communicate planned changes in office design, but allow the staff to participate in the process so they have ownership and can put their minds at ease.
• Follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting to develop, follow, and maintain a plan to perform regular cleanings to reduce the risk of people’s exposure to the virus on surfaces (visit cdc.gov for more information).
• Ensure that the IT infrastructure is robust, secure and scalable—now might be a good time to invest in improvements.
2. Monitor employee health—CDC suggests conducting daily inperson or virtual employee health screenings before allowing employees to return to work. There is much debate about using thermal cameras and temperature check stations in the office because privacy is a huge concern. Lining employees up to take their temperatures proves problematic from an operational and security standpoint, and studies show that thermal cameras are not 100% reliable. A new Health Check app from Swiftlane (swiftlane.com) allows companies to conduct self-temperature checks, create staggered schedules, allocate personal protective equipment (PPE) to at-risk employees and manage capacity planning—all of which are critical to ensuring a safe, secure workplace.
3. Implement social distancing and staggered schedules—CDC recommendations stress the importance of continued social distancing until a vaccine is available. Practicing social distancing can reduce the rate of new infections by limiting person-to-person transmission. Reducing the rate of disease transmission through interventions, including social distancing and other measures, can alleviate the burden on medical facilities. The U.S. Government Accountability Office released a Science & Tech Spotlight on Social Distancing During Pandemics that addresses what social distancing is, how it mitigates infectious disease spread and the current challenges around implementing it. Social distancing is a new concept to most people, but it has been successfully used in past virus outbreaks.
The first step in social distancing in the workplace includes modifying the open office floor plans that gained popularity in recent years. Desks and workspaces may need to be reoriented to accommodate at least six feet of distance from any other workstations. Depending on capacity and office density, staggered schedules might be implemented to include flexible shifts and varying work hours. It’s important to set up a staggered schedule that works for employees who have to juggle different demands and responsibilities in the home with family members and children.
Follow CDC guidelines concerning wearing of face coverings, practicing social distancing and regularly cleaning and disinfecting workspaces.
4. Communicate clearly and often—Ideally, management will have been communi-cating with staff on a frequent and regular basis during the pandemic, expressing concern about their well-being. It’s crucial to ensure clear, concise messaging in all communication to employees. Anxiety is likely high among employees, and it’s the employers’ job to address concerns directly. Make sure all employees are aware of the return to work plan, what the rollout phases look like and who their point of contact is if they have any questions. Many companies are conducting surveys to get feedback on what employees feel comfortable with, how they feel about remote work, how they feel about returning to an office and what they would like changed. Getting buy-in from your personnel will ensure everyone is on the same page and feels comfortable with the plan in place.
5. Offer touchless access solutions—On the safety and hygiene side, staff returning to the office during or after the pandemic will be hypersensitive to contamination, so companies have to address the issue of how to open doors safely and with minimal contact. Consider installing or at least trialing touchless access control systems that use face recognition, voice, iris, retina, gait, etc. Access control manufacturers, systems integrators and security consultants report a surge in demand for systems that minimize touching. Typical systems use smart cards, proximity cards or perhaps keypads to enter a locked door. That means repeated handling of dirty cards, reuse of borrowed or guest cards and touching of keypads and door handles where viruses live. Touchless access solutions offer easy, modern, secure solutions for simplifying entry to any building or workplace.
Kim Buckley of Swiftlane Marketing (swiftlane.com) has over 15 years of writing, editing and marketing experience for global brands, including TransWorld Media, Bonnier Publishing and Red Bull. Kim leads content strategy and inbound and outbound marketing initiatives for Swiftlane’s growing audience. Image: Klaus Hausmann from Pixabay.
Touchless access control system using face recognition.
Image: Klaus Hausmann from Pixabay.
Image: Swiftlane.com.
Paramount restaurants serving you!
Antojitos Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Casa Gamino Mexican Restaurant
Seafood Market & Restaurant
El Compa Mexican Restaurant & Meat Market
Hummus Factory (Downey)
Casa Adelita Mexican
Rosewood Family Restaurant
Delfin
Read and follow these latest COVID-19 guidelines from CDC
As communities and businesses are opening, you may be looking for ways to resume some daily activities as safely as possible. While there is no way to ensure zero risk of infection, it is important to understand potential risks and how to adopt different types of prevention measures to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. As a reminder, if you have COVID-19, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is important to stay home and away from other people. When you can leave home and be around others depends on different factors for different situations. Follow CDC’s recommendations for your circumstances (visit cdc.gov for detailed information).
In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. So, ask yourself these important questions:
• How many people will you interact with? Interacting with more people raises your risk. Being in a group with people who aren’t social distancing or wearing cloth face coverings increases your risk even more. Engaging with new people (e.g., those who don’t live with you) also raises your risk. Some people have the virus and don’t have any symptoms, and it is not yet known how often people without symptoms can transmit the
• Can you keep at least 6 feet of space between you and others? Will you be outdoors or indoors? The closer you are to other people who may be infected, the greater your risk of getting sick. Keeping distance from other people is especially important for people who have an increased risk for severe illness. Indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor spaces where it might be harder to keep people apart and there’s less ventilation.
• What’s the length of time that I will be interacting with people? Spending more time with people who may be infected increases your risk of becoming infected. Spending more time with people increases their risk of becoming infected if there is any chance that you may already be infected.
Asking these important questions can help determine your level of risk:
• Is COVID-19 spreading in my community? Find out by viewing the latest COVID-19 information and a map of states with reported COVID-19 infections.
• What are the local orders in my community? Review updates from your local health department to better understand the situation in your community and what local orders are in place in your community. Also find out about school closures, business reopenings, and stay-at-home orders in your state.
• Will my activity put me in close contact with others? Practice social distancing because COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with
others. It’s important that you and the people around you wear a cloth face covering when in public and particularly when it’s difficult to stay 6 feet away from others consistently. Choose outdoor activities and places where it’s easy to stay 6 feet apart, like parks and open-air facilities. Look for physical barriers, like plexiglass screens or modified layouts, that help you keep your distance from others. Use visual reminders—like signs, chair arrangements, markings on the floor, or arrows—to help remind you to keep your distance from others.
• Am I at risk for severe illness? Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. While the risk for severe illness is lower for others, everyone faces some risk of illness. Some people have no symptoms, others have mild symptoms, and some get severely ill.
• Do I live with someone who is at risk for severe illness? If you live with older adults or someone with certain underlying medical conditions, then you and all family members should take extra precautions to minimize risk. Learn more about what you can do if you or any members of your family are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
• Do I practice everyday preventive actions? Continue to protect yourself by practicing everyday preventive actions, like monitoring yourself for symptoms, not touching your face with unwashed hands, washing your hands often, social distancing, disinfecting surfaces, wearing cloth face covers, and staying home if you are sick.
• Will I have to share any items, equipment, or tools with other people? Choose places where there is limited sharing of items and where any items that are shared are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses. You can also choose to visit places that share, post, or announce that they have increased cleaning and disinfection to protect others from COVID-19.
• Will I need to take public transportation to get to the activity? Public transit can put you in close contact with others. When using public transportation, follow CDC’s guidance on how to protect yourself when using transportation. Does my activity require travel to another community? Before considering trips outside your community, consult CDC’s travel considerations.
• If I get sick with COVID-19, will I have to miss work or school? If you are sick with COVID-19, stay home. Also find out about your work or school’s telework or sick leave policy.
Items to always have on hand: A cloth face covering, tissues and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
More information:
Wearing a face mask works!
The latest evidence clearly shows that wearing a face covering not only keeps you from spreading Covid-19 if you’re infected, it also helps protect you from picking up the coronavirus from small droplets in the air. So please, for the sake of others—and for your own sake—wear a mask when you’re around other people!
Families grow healthy with WIC! Familias crecen sanas con WIC!
WIC is a nutrition program for women, infants and children. WIC es un programa de nutricion para mujeres, bebes y niños.
You may qualify if you:
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby
• Have a child under age 5
• Have a low to medium income*
• Receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) or CalFresh (Food Stamps) benefits
• Live in California Usted puede calificar si:
• Está embarazada, está dando pecho o acaba de tener un bebe
• Tiene un niño menor de 5 años
• Tiene un ingreso bajo a mediano
• Recibe beneficios de Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) o CalFresh (Estampillas de Comida)
• Vive en California
WIC provides:
• Nutrition education and health information
• Breastfeeding support
• Food benefits
• Referrals to medical providers and community services
WIC proporciona:
• Educación sobre nutrición e información de salud
• Apoyo con la lactancia
• Beneficios de comida
• Referencias a proveedores de servicios medicos y servicios
*Income levels change annually. Niveles de ingreso cambian anualmente. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Está institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
South Los Angeles Health Projects WIC Program