Churches stream services to avoid gatherings
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Therapy Lab eases coronavirus anxiety Page 8
MARCH 30, 2020 I VOL. 49 I #13
Garcetti issues loud and clear message
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By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Social Security offices close
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ll local Social Security offices are closed to the public indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Social Security Administration, “This decision protects the population we serve—older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions—and our employees during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.” COVID-19 is the official name for the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. With offices closed, the agency encourages the public to access services online. The public can go online to apply for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits; check the status of an application or appeal; request a replacement Social Security card; or print a benefit verification letter. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section. Those working on their taxes can get a copy of their annual benefit statement online. The form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, or form SSA-1042S, Social Security Benefit Statement (Nonresident Aliens), should have landed in their mailbox near the end of January. But those who haven’t received their form and who live in the United States can print a copy. For automated telephone services, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A list of telephone services is available online. Those who have an in-office appointment scheduled with the agency will receive a call to handle the appointment over the phone. Additionally, if a hearing is scheduled, they will call to discuss alternatives, including offering a hearing by phone. Please note that the call may come from a private number and not from a U.S. government phone number. There are some scam calls making the rounds, so remember that Social Security employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment.
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County superior court orders release of inmates awaiting trial
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residing Judge Kevin C. Brazile announced March 24 an expedited court process to release an agreed-upon list of pretrial inmates being held in jail before trial. Based upon the Justice Partners’ best effort to balance the public health needs of the jail population and the public safety needs of the community, they have created a stipulated list of persons to be released by the court. The prosecution and defense will bring a joint motion to the court for an order to release the inmates on the stipulated list. The agreed-upon people will not be brought to court for a hearing. Instead, the release will be effective upon review and execution of multiple orders by the supervising judge of criminal, Sam Ohta. The list of people subject to release was vetted and agreed upon by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office; Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office; Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The parties collaborated and reached a stipulated agreement on an efficient process for the release of pretrial defendants. The parties reached the agreement after receiving a COVID-19-related advisory recommendation on criminal procedures issued by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on March 20.
LA County alerts public about COVID-19 scams
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os Angeles County residents are reminded of several fraud schemes designed to prey on the vulnerable in the midst of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Reports of malicious websites, email schemes and suspicious links have come to the attention of law enforcement and public officials. “Malicious actors can prey upon those that are distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and use it to their advantage,” said Los Angeles County Chief Information Officer William Kehoe. “The public needs to be mindful and careful, and avoid websites, phishing emails and scams that engage people through false information about the health crisis, and steal personal user information and data. By clicking on fraudulent weblinks, hackers can de-
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MARCH 30, 2020
liver malware and then gain access to passwords, browsing information, credit card numbers, and other personal information. We all need to stay vigilant.” There are several coronavirus tracking and mapping sites that are actually malware websites. Instead of clicking on these links, cybersecurity experts advise that website users should instead hover over the link to verify the uniform resource locator (URL) before moving forward. Online hackers may also send users emails from fraudulent accounts impersonating official websites and doctors or offering medical supplies and services. A trusted COVID-19 mapping resource is the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Global Map, which can be found at coronavirus.jhu.edu. Additionally, there are several websites the county of Los Angeles recommends for accurate, up-to-date information on COVID-19. The following is a list of sites: • County of Los Angeles: covid19.lacounty.gov • County of Los Angeles Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov • California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov As Los Angeles County residents practice “Safer at Home” directives, they are spending more time at home and online. Scammers are also taking advantage of this change in circumstances by reaching out door to door asking for donations and fundraising contributions through cash, Bitcoin or PayPal. The county reminds residents they are not required to open their door and encourages everyone to not feel intimidated by a false sense of urgency to answer door-to-door solicitations. Those who believe they have been scammed should contact their bank immediately and report the information to local law enforcement.
U.S. Navy deploys hospital ship
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he U.S. Navy has deployed the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) from Naval Station San Diego to Los Angeles in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts. Mercy departed Naval Base San Diego with more than 800 Navy medical personnel and
support staff with the afloat medical treatment facility (MTF), and over 70 civil service mariners. The ship will serve as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients admitted to shore-based hospitals and will provide a full spectrum of medical care to include general surgeries, critical care and ward care for adults. This will allow local health professionals to focus on treating COVID-19 patients and for shore-based hospitals to use their intensive care units and ventilators for those patients.
State needs more beds
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ov. Gavin Newsom said March 23 that California needs 50,000 more hospital beds on top of the nearly 74,000 it already has, based on updated modeling of the state’s projected coronavirus patients. The state is doubling its surge capacities to provide 30,000 beds, while the state will provide the remaining 20,000 beds by leasing and refurbishing closed hospitals, convention facilities, fairgrounds, hotels and motels. In Los Angeles, the state is working through LA County on mastering leasing these properties that include, so far, St. Vincent Hospital in Westlake and Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona. The governor also said bringing on fourthyear medical students, almost-licensed nurses and retired doctors could help staff the additional beds. And to equip medical personnel with the necessary protective gear, the state is working on procuring 1 billion gloves, 500 million masks and 200 million shields.
Schools to remain closed
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uperintendent Austin Beutner said schools will remain closed through May 1. LAUSD and Verizon reached an agreement to provide internet connectivity for all LAUSD students who lack internet connectivity at home. LAUSD has up to 100,000 students who lack internet connectivity at home. This agreement is a critical component in the district’s plan for students to continue learning as campuses remain closed in response to COVID-19. LAUSD and the Red Cross continue to operate 60 Grab and Go Food Centers in the communities they serve. These centers will be open on weekdays from 7 to 10 a.m. Each child can take home two nutritious meals. Info: redcross.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITERS: Sara Edwards, Annika Tomlin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Mattison Heslin, Jordan Houston, Kamala Kirk ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris
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Thank you, doctors. All day, every day. But especially today. On National Doctors’ Day, we thank our dedicated professionals whose expertise and compassion bring comfort to countless patients every day. In this time of uncertainty, your humankindness shines bright. Your commitment to healing individuals, counseling families, and keeping entire communities healthy make you one-of-a-kind. You have our gratitude.
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Garcetti calls businesses refusing to close ‘selfish’ By Mattison Heslin and Jordan Houston os Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s message to nonessential businesses continuing to operate is loud and clear— shut down or the city will do it for you. Daily at 5:15 p.m., the mayor takes to Facebook Live to update residents on the city’s efforts to slow down the spread of COVID-19 in Southern California, including the statewide lockdown,aLos Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s message to nonessential businesses continuing to operate is loud and clear—shut down or the city will do it for you. The press conferences are conducted remotely with media dialing in by phone to heed social distancing rules. Garcetti announced during the March 24 briefing a new “business ambassadors program”—a citywide push to close all nonessential businesses. “This behavior is irresponsible and selfish,” he said of those remaining open during the stay-at-home order. “It will put all of us at risk for a long time.” The program consists of neighborhood prosecutors dedicated to implementing safety measures. The ambassadors will work to contact
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noncompliant businesses before issuing further action, according to the mayor, such as misdemeanor charges and other citations. If necessary, the Department of Water and Power will move to cut off all services, Garcetti warned. “The easiest way to avoid a visit is to follow the rules,” he said. Adding, “We are ready to deploy these folks, identify businesses that are not doing what they’re supposed to, issue initial warnings and share information on recurring noncompliant establishments with LAPD for further enforcement that may result in a referral to the city attorney’s office or citation actions.” Garcetti emphasized the importance of staying home and practicing good hygiene, claiming LA is six to 12 days behind New York in being hit with a wave of positive cases. As of March 24, LA County had 669 confirmed coronavirus cases and 11 deaths—including one teenager. “I know that everybody is hopeful of us being back in churches by Easter, or synagogues by Passover or restarting the economy in a couple of weeks,” Garcetti expressed. “I think we owe it to everybody to be straightforward and honest that we will
MARCH 30, 2020
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced during the March 24 briefing a new “business ambassadors program”—a citywide push to close all nonessential businesses.
Photo courtesy city of Los Angeles
not be back to that normal in Los Angeles in that short period of time.” “I’ve said to be prepared for a couple of months like this,” he continued. “But we won’t extend it one day longer than we need to. Since the Sunday launch of the city’s online testing portal, 2,800 tests had been completed, said Garcetti, with the expectation of doubling that number in the coming three days. The new portal offers information on testing locations and symptoms that might require testing. Testing is limited to Los Angeles residents who are in the most high-risk categories and most vulnerable. They are: those
with symptoms who are 65 and older Those with symptoms who have underlying chronic health conditions Those who are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine period due to a confirmed COVID-19 exposure (with more than seven days of quarantine remaining) Garcetti assured that the testing locations will soon be available for other parts of the state as well, such as Antelope Valley, Pasadena and Long Beach. “Every test is crucial, and I wish we could be doing so many more,” he said. “I’m so proud of the people who have stood up the centers, the folks that are out there making sure that these tests get processed within Continued on page 11
MARCH 30, 2020
DOWNTOWN NEWS 5
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LA churches switch to streaming in response to COVID-19 By Kamala Kirk o help stop the spread of COVID-19, churches throughout Downtown have replaced in-person services with online livestreaming. By offering new social and digital platforms for worship, churches are creating a strong sense of community that enables others to continue practicing their faith and stay connected despite social distancing. “Our priority is to stay connected and spread a message of hope to our members and the DTLA community in these anxious times,” said Dan Hilley, an elder at Union Church of LA. “We quickly set up a YouTube channel and reoriented our website and Facebook page. Our members are of all ages, so we are also trying to make it easy for our less tech-savvy members. While we hope to meet in person again once it is safe to do so, we hope to continue some of these new forms to reach more people.” Church of the Resurrection has been streaming its weekly live worship service on Sundays with Scripture readings, prayers, singing and a sermon via Facebook and on its website. Following the service, members of the prayer team are available for additional prayer via Zoom, a video and audio con-
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David Kim, operations pastor at NewStory Church, said everybody feels the struggles of isolation so it’s important to create online gatherings and engagement.
ference platform. Table Groups are also held, where people gather online weekly to pray for one another, read Scripture and hang out. “Our in person gatherings are on pause for the sake of our city, particularly our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Teesha Hadra, executive pastor of Church of the Resurrection. “However, in our view, the church is not and has never been a building. The church is a people. We continue to be the people of God, offering up our world to God in prayer and serving our neighbors in tangible ways.” To continue the sense of gathering, members of New City Church of Los Angeles meet online to worship via Zoom and Facebook Live. Those that don’t have internet access can join worship via phone. “We get to interact with and see one another during worship,” shared Kevin Haah, lead pastor of New City Church of Los Angeles. “We break out into smaller groups on Zoom to share during the worship service. I preach from my home, someone else leads music from another home, while someone else shares a testimony from his or her home. We share communion by asking the congregants to prepare their own cup and bread. I have been amazed at how technology has helped us connect during this time.”
Convenience
Photo courtesy NewStory Church
In addition to livestreaming Sunday worship, NewStory Church is offering informal Praise and Worship every Wednesday via Facebook Live with one of its praise leaders, providing an opportunity for people to listen or sing along and lift their spirits. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays it hosts “Lunch with a Pastor” on Facebook Live, a short Pastoral devotional. “We are adjusting just like any other church,” said David Kim, operations pastor at NewStory Church. “I think what’s important for us during this season is to be a ‘high-tech and high-touch’ church. Everybody is feeling the struggles of isolation and there is no doubt that cabin fever is kicking in. Therefore,
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it’s important for us to create online gatherings and engagement throughout the week that help our people connect. The church building is closed, but the church is open.” The Archdiocese of Los Angeles closed its churches to the public until further notice on March 24. “Our community of faith is fully committed to doing all we can to limit the spread of this global public health threat,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez. “We are taking these extraordinary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the faithful and the public, as well as all who continue to serve in our parishes and ministries. While Continued on page 8
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EDITORIAL
MARCH 30, 2020
BRANCH’S OPINION
Small Business Administration helps during challenging times By Victor Parker U.S. Small Business Administration Los Angeles District Office Director en we think about the fabric of America–the very essence of our culture is derived from the spirit of entrepreneurism. Small-businesses are, and always have been, the backbone of the American economy and the cornerstone of our communities. At the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), our job is to support small business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage of the journey to small-business success. As the District Director for SBA’s Los Angeles District Office, I assure you my team and I are here for you. We are honored, proud and dedicated to continue to assist our community to achieve or recover their entrepreneurial dreams. As we continue to navigate the ongoing effects of COVID-19 together, the SBA Los Angeles District Office would like to make sure that the resources our entrepreneurial community needs are readily available. With the national emergency declaration, the federal government is leveraging all its power, and has taken decisive action to ensure state/territory, local, and tribal leaders have the resources they need to provide protective measures for their communi-
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ties and limit the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. The collective resources for this can be found at usa.gov/coronavirus or en Español, gobierno.usa.gov/coronavirus. The SBA is focused on providing assistance to small businesses impacted by this health emergency with recovery, counseling, mentoring, and preparedness resources. An overview of these resources can be found at sba.gov/coronavirus. In light of the effects of COVID-19 on our national small business community, the SBA has been authorized to offer Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to small businesses and private nonprofits in need of working capital and support with operating expenses. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business/private nonprofit and can provide vital economic support to small firms to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private, nonprofit organizations. These loans are offered with long-term repayments in order to keep pay-
ments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-bycase basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. Small businesses and private nonprofits can apply online at: disasterloan.sba.gov/ ela. Loan applications can also be submitted via email at ela.doc@sba.gov, via fax at 202-481-1505, and via mail to: U.S. Small Business Administration Processing and Disbursement Center 14925 Kingsport Road Fort Worth, TX 76155-2243 For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
The SBA has a vast network of resource partners, such as Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers and SCORE mentors, available virtually and over the phone to assist with any business development or recovery needs. These resources are available in a wide breadth of languages. To find the resource partner nearest you, visit sba.gov/local-assistance. The SBA’s Los Angeles District Office is available to support our small-business community as we move through these challenging times together. For the most up-to-date information, follow us on Twitter at @SBA_LosAngeles, visit our website at sba.gov/ca/la, email us at lado@sba.gov, or call us at 213-634-3855.
STAY... • LOCALLY UPDATED • PROPERLY INFORMED • SAFE At a time when the entire world is in an ever-changing state, and health concerns are paramount, you can continue to rely on LA Downtown News to keep you informed on how the COVID-19 virus is affecting your local community. We appreciate the trust placed in us as the news and voice of the community. Being good stewards of that trust means we are here for you, especially in difficult times.
LaDowntownNews.com
MARCH 30, 2020
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
DOWNTOWN NEWS 7
To all our doctors, this comes straight from the heart.
Thank You.
Happy National Doctors’ Day We offer our unending gratitude to all of our physicians at PIH Health. Every day, all day, these dedicated men and women give our patients an expert, consistent, comprehensive and focused healthcare experience. And they do it with compassion and understanding. Thank you, doctors. From the bottom of our hearts.
PIHHealth.org
8 DOWNTOWN NEWS
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
Therapy Lab offers COVID-19 mental wellness teletherapy sessions By Kamala Kirk r. Chandler Chang heard a myriad of reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic through patients at her Downtown practice, Therapy Lab. So, she created a mental wellness package to provide support for those in need. “I’m just observing what our clients need right now and I wanted to offer something to help people with the feelings they are experiencing at the moment,” said Chang, a licensed psychologist. “The COVID-19 Mental Wellness package offers science-based techniques to reduce the impact of trauma and promote a healthy return to emotional stability once this crisis ends. My team and I are fine-tuning it and adding evidence-based components; however, it’s available immediately.” The package launched in mid-March, right around the time that Therapy Lab moved its services to telemed. When the COVID-19 crisis ends, Chang plans to offer in-person sessions again for clients. “This package is for absolutely anyone and may be particularly helpful for those wondering if their response to the crisis is ‘normal,’” she shared. “It’s for those who may, for whatever reason, find themselves without support or loved ones nearby. Or for those with a history of depression or anxiety who are worried about getting through stressful times safely
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and with resilience.” The COVID-19 Mental Wellness package checks patients’ emotional temperature, obtains recommendations for additional resources as needed and helps the person feel more connected during social distancing. Sessions last 45 minutes and are customized according to an individual’s lifestyle and needs. Each session will offer a different goal that is designed to help people process trauma as it unfolds, while building resilience and encouraging feelings of efficacy. “The first session is debriefing the situation and making sure that we have a good sense of a person’s mental health and personal safety,” Chang said. “In the second session, we discuss the mindset of self-care, and what can and can’t be controlled about this crisis. The third session focuses on actively reflecting on the choices a person makes each day and specific problem-solving. The fourth session promotes cognitive flexibility, which is how the brain processes and interprets situations, and how crisis can direct our attention.” The package includes four sessions and costs $720. Single sessions are also available and cost $200 each. Sessions can be scheduled online or by phone, and after booking clients will receive an email with instructions for next steps. Chang is also offering complimentary 15-minute phone consultations.
Several human resource departments at various companies have already inquired about offering the COVID-19 Mental Wellness package to their employees. “What we’re all going to experience during this worldwide crisis is a whirlwind of emotion,” Chang said. “Sometimes we’ll feel anxious and completely panicked; other times we’ll feel expansive or experience a moment
MARCH 30, 2020
of joy in some small thing. It can be really helpful just to be aware and accept the storm, because we can’t stop it. This is a good time to learn about how our emotions work, how they serve us and how we can take better care of ourselves.” For more information, visit therapylabinc.com.
Dr. Chandler Chang’s services have been requested by several human resource departments during this time of crisis.
Photo courtesy Dr. Chandler Chang
CHURCHES, 5 our church buildings are temporarily closing during this crisis, our local church is very much alive and continues to serve and share the Word of God. I encourage all Catholics to continue to pray and join in communion for the celebration of Holy Mass remotely via the internet, television or radio.” Gomez also asked all parishes that can ring their bells to do so at noon and 6 p.m. daily as a sign of solidarity and hope. “Now more than ever, we must continue to anchor our hearts and minds in the abiding truth of God’s love for us, His sons and daughters. We remain strong in faith knowing that God will be with us always,” Gomez said. He said church offices are to be closed to the public. Pastors may allow a minimal number of parish staff members (less than 10) to continue working in the office provided that social distancing is observed. Parishes are invited to inform their parishioners of opportunities to view Mass or other services via livestream. The weekday and Sunday Masses will be livestreamed from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels via the LA Catholics Facebook page, facebook.com/ lacatholics. For more information on additional Mass broadcasts on TV and radio, vis-
it lacatholics.org/mass-for-the-homebound. Below is a rundown of local churches in and around Downtown and the online services they are offering. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels: Weekday Masses are livestreamed daily at 12:10 p.m. online. Sunday Masses are livestreamed on Sundays at 10 a.m. in English and at 12:30 p.m. in Spanish online. olacathedral.org Centenary United Methodist Church: Online Sunday worship is offered in Japanese at 9:30 a.m. and in English at 10:45 a.m. centenarydtla.org Church of the Resurrection: On Sundays at 10 a.m., worship services are livestreamed via Facebook and its website. Online prayer gatherings take place daily from Monday through Saturday at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. resurrectionla.org Citizens Church LA: Worship services will be broadcast via Facebook Live on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. citizensla.org
City Light Church: Worship services will be broadcast live on Sundays at 11 a.m. citylightchurch.org Episcopal Cathedral of St. John: Livestreams via Facebook a Sunday morning prayer at 11 a.m. and Sunday night candle lit prayer at 8 p.m. stjohnsla.org First African Methodist Episcopal Church: Sunday broadcasts are livestreamed on the website at 7:45 a.m., 9:55 a.m. and noon. Information regarding online prayer circle and Bible study broadcasts is also available online. famechurchla.org Hillsong Church LA: Morning Devotional is offered on Instagram Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Weekend services will be streamed via YouTube on Saturdays and Sundays at various times. Check the website for more details. hillsong.com New City Church of Los Angeles: Online worship is offered on Sundays at 10 a.m. via Facebook Live and Zoom.
newcitychurchla.com NewStory Church: Sunday services are offered online at 11 a.m. “Lunch with a Pastor” is broadcast on Facebook Live on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon. Praise and Worship time is held on Facebook Live on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. newstorychurch.com Oasis Church: Sunday services are livestreamed at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. oasisla.org Tapestry LA: Sunday services are livestreamed at 10 a.m. tapestrylachurch.com Union Church of Los Angeles: Pre-recorded weekly sermons in English and Japanese are available via the website. Daily Lenten devotionals sharing Scripture, reflections and words of encouragement will be posted online during the time leading up to Easter. unionchurchla.org
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DOWNTOWN NEWS 9
Engage with these virtual museum tours By Sara Edwards s museums and galleries across the nation have closed to the public, many are trying to find creative solutions to keep people interested and engaged. Museums like the Smithsonian and The Metropolitan Museum of Art have turned to virtual tours, online educational programs and Instagram stories to keep art enrichment alive and many LA museums have followed suit. Here is a list of museums that are engaging the public even while under social isolation.
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LA County Museum of Art The LA County Museum of Art has redesigned its homepage to bring virtual lessons, exhibits and videos about the museum’s art. The museum is updating its website daily, with new videos about current and past exhibits, soundtracks inspired by the museum’s collections, and online classes and courses about art history and painting styles. Info: lacma.org The Broad The Broad museum recently celebrated five years in February and isn’t letting COVID-19
keep it from bringing art and inspiring content to the people of LA. While the museum is closed to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, museum staff is using social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to deliver inspiring content with videos and art appreciation. The museum also has a YouTube series of art talks called The Un-Private Collection about the gallery’s art and culture. Info: thebroad.org LA County Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum is helping to make social isolation less boring with online interactive programs through its website and social media. The museum is bringing you the learning and the adventure right to your computer, with interactive lessons about fossils to educational videos and virtual exhibits about the city of Los Angeles. Info: nhm.org LA Public Library Though the libraries across the county are closed, there are free educational resources and websites available on the website. Whether you want to learn a new language, practice taking tests or learn more about a topic in a class, the Los Angeles Public Library has put to-
Photo by Mike Kelley
gether a list of websites and resources to kickstart your learning. Info: lapl.org Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles The Institute has launched its #MuseumfromHome platform so visitors can still experience the art without having to step out the door. The institute has two exhibits on display that have been extended through June that visitors can explore virtually. The two exhibits, “Ree Morton: The Plant That Heals May Also Poison” and “Ann Greene Kelly,” can be viewed online until June 14. Info: theicala.org Grammy Museum Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday the Grammy Museum is releasing Programs
at Home, an intimate interview series. The videos are never-before-released digital programs with interviews with artists and musicians from the archive. Upcoming interviews are with Larkin Poe, X Ambassadors and Brandy Carlile. Info: grammymuseum.org California Science Center The California Science Center has released Stuck at Home Science. All of the activities and experiments on the websites can be performed at home with household items. Every weekday at 10 a.m., the museum will release a new activity for families to do with a PDF and detailed list of instructions to properly perform the experiment. Info: californiasciencecenter.org
Feuer issues warning about price gouging
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By Sara Edwards he city attorney’s office has been perusing stores for evidence of price gouging since the COVID-19 crisis began. City Attorney Mike Feuer and his team have found a half gallon of bleach for more than $100, and a two-pack of hand sanitizer priced at $149. Feuer said in a video that debuted on March 21 he’s ready to fight. “Price gouging rips off consumers and wrongfully costs them money,” he said. “But more than that, the mere listing of a product during an emergency at inflated prices spurs panic and we all suffer when stores are needlessly in short supply.” As more consumers across the nation are stocking up on household essentials like toilet paper and disinfectant wipes, the demand for these types of products has gone up tremendously, causing some people to sell third party on websites like Amazon at higher prices than normal. Feuer said California’s definition of price gouging is the increase in price of goods and
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services like food, medical supplies and gas by 10% from the price it was charged the day before a state of emergency was issued. The exception to this is if the business or business owner can relate their price or service increase to additional costs from a supplier or to limited costs for labor or materials used to provide services during an emergency. Violators found price gouging can be sentenced up to one year in prison and/or fined up to $10,000. They are also subject to civil enforcement actions, including civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, injunctive relief and mandatory restitution. The office has encouraged LA consumers to report price gouging by filling out a form. “Please know that my office and I are here during this crisis and we’re doing everything we can to protect you,” Feuer said. “Times of crisis bring out the best of who we are, and we will be better and stronger for it.” For more information about price gouging or to report price gouging, go to lacityattorney.com/covid19.
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10 DOWNTOWN NEWS
MARCH 30, 2020
Through the darkness of quarantine there is takeout By Annika Tomlin
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he COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of dine-in eating, but thankfully there are still restaurants open for carryout, takeout or delivery orders. Here is a list of restaurants or drive-thru places that are following CDC guidelines and are still open for business. Have a suggestion? Email atomlin@timespublications.com.
Downtown LA
Limericks Tavern, 615 S. Flower Street, 213-537-0554, limerickstavern.com, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. This modern gastropub is offering BOGO deals, alcohol to go, ready to cook and meal-prep kits along with groceries for in-store pickup. Orders can be placed over the phone, via the website, by email or through Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash or Postmates. Poppy + Rose, 765 Wall Street, 213-995-7799, 213-622-0716 (groceries), poppyandrosela.com, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. On top of offering its main menu for takeout and delivery, Poppy + Rose is open for grocery pickup for items like eggs, Granny Smith apples, avocados, carrots, cauliflower, brown rice, potatoes, flour and toilet paper. Call ahead at 213-622-0716 to order groceries. Farmer Boys, 726 S. Alameda Street, 213-2288999, farmerboys.com, 24 hours. Cooked-to-order wholesome farm fresh food available by drive-thru or delivery. Shake Shack, 400 W. Eighth Street, 213-213-5307, shakeshack.com, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Whether it’s a burger in bed or a burger on the go, Shake Shack is still open for takeout and delivery orders.
Chinatown
Qui West Noodle Soup, 727 N. Broadway Street, 213-678-1063, quiwestnoodle.com, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Qui West has switched to takeout-only meals. Menu options include saozi noodle, spicy won ton soup and Chinese mo. Sides to go along with your meal include steamed dumpling, cold dish cucumber and pan-fried dumpling. Spring Street Smokehouse BBQ, 620 N. Spring Street, 213-626-0535, sssmokehouse.com, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Finger-licking barbecue meals from Spring Street are available for pickup or delivery. Options include pork rinds, Impossible Burger sloppy joe and baby back ribs. Phoenix Inn Chinese Cuisine, 301 Ord Street, 213-629-2812, phoenixfood.us, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Serving a wide array of choices of Chinese meat, seafood and veggie dishes, Phoenix Inn has switched over to pickup or delivery. Choose from dishes like steamed tofu with mixed seafood, lo mein with beef stew and wonton or hog haw porridge.
Phoenix Bakery Inc., 969 N. Broadway Street, 213-6284642, phoenixbakeryinc.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Keep birthday traditions going and pick up a delectable cake or pastry for takeout. Shipping is still available for almond cookies and sugar butterflies. Plum Tree Inn, 913 N. Broadway Street, 213-613-1819, plumtreeinn.com, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. During this time Plum Tree Inn is offering takeout food, drinks, wine and beer and delivery through DoorDash, Postmates, Caviar or Grubhub. Nick’s Café, 1300 N. Spring Street, 323-222-1450, nickscafela.net, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. Breakfast and lunch are available for pickup or delivery. Call in and receive 20% off for pickup orders. Kim Chuy, 727 N. Broadway, Suite 103, 213687-7215, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Popular items including boba Thai iced tea, chiu chow fried rice cake and house special seafood noodle soup are available for delivery. Jade Wok, 625 W. College Street, Suite 109, 213628-8288, jadewokchinese.com, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Jade Wok will be offering takeout or delivery orders of all of its menu options such as minced chicken soup, beef chow fun and eggplant Szechuan style.
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FASHION DISTRICT at CORNER 9TH/SANTEE 226 E. 9th St. , 213-623-5091 • 213-327-0645, Tel/Fx: 213-623-9405
Hop Woo BBQ & Seafood Restaurant, 845 N. Broadway Street, 213-617-3038, hopwoo.com, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Hop Woo is offering takeout and delivery meals. Check out its Facebook or Instagram pages for daily specials on meals. Hop Li Seafood Restaurant, 526 Alpine Street, 213-680-3939, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Hop Li’s seafood-centric selection of classic Cantonese dishes is available for delivery. Hong Kong BBQ Restaurant, 803 N. Broadway, 213-678-7238, hongkongbbqla.com, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. This Chinatown fixture serves diners roasted duck and other Cantonese classics for takeout or delivery. Highland Park Brewery, 1220 N. Spring Street, 213-878-9017, hpb.la, noon to 7 p.m. daily. Come get a crowler or a growler full of Highland Park brew with a delicious meal to go along with it. Meals and beers are available for pickup or delivery. Golden Dragon Restaurant, 960 N. Broadway Street, 213-6262039, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Golden Dragon offers a large menu of dim sum and dumplings for delivery through DoorDash or Grubhub. Gigo’s Café and Deli, 853 N. Broadway, 213-229-8889, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. This no-frills establishment is continuing to serve popular Vietnamese items
like noodle soups through delivery by Grubhub and Postmates. Full Moon House, 960 N. Hill Street, 213-537-0792, fullmoonhouseca.com, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Laid-back Chinese banquet classics such as steamed pork buns and hot pot seafood dishes are available for pickup or delivery. Foo-Chow Restaurant, 949 N. Hill Street, 213-485-1294, foochowla.com, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Famously being known for its appearance in the movie “Rush Hour,” Foo-Chow offers pickup and delivery orders. E-Sea Fresh Restaurant, 1100 N. Main Street, Suite E, 323-276-5835, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday. E-Sea Fresh is offering takeout and free delivery through DoorDash for its Thai food. CBS Seafood, 700 N. Spring Street, 213-617-2323, cbsseafoodlosangeles.com, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. CBS Seafood’s large to-go menu is available for pickup or delivery orders. Menu options include sliced chicken with curry sauce, west lake-style beef soup or braised bean curd with brown sauce. ABC Food Restaurant, 205 Ord Street, 213-680-2887, abcseafoodca.com, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Order a popular dish including hot and sour soup, sautéed clams with black beans and chili sauce or pan-fried string bean dry style for pickup or delivery.
Echo Park and Temple Beaudry Button Mash, 1391 W. Sunset Boulevard, 213-2509903, buttonmashla.com, 4 to 10:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday. Beer, cider and wine is available through call-in or Postmates. Tsubaki, 1356 Allison Avenue, 213-900-4900, tsubakila.com, noon to 8 p.m. daily. This Los Angeles izakaya is open for takeout- and delivery-only orders. Delivery orders can be placed through Caviar or Postmates. Sake is available for pickup-only orders. Eightfold Coffee, 1294 W. Sunset Boulevard, 213-9473500, eightfoldcoffee.com, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Get hopped up on caffeine to keep going during quarantine. Coffee, tea, food and pastries are available for takeout and delivery through Postmates and ChowNow. The Park’s Finest, 1267 W. Temple Street, 213-4817511, theparksfinest.com, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The place where American cuts meet Filipino flavor is open for carryout or delivery.
Pico Union/ Westlake Pizza Hut, 1562 W. Pico Boulevard, 213-3886111, pizzahut.com, 10 a.m. to
MARCH 30, 2020
midnight daily. Pizza Hut is available for carryout and delivery for all of those late-night pizza cravings. Flavors of Thai, 1275 S. Union Avenue, 213-8612453, orderflavorsofthai.com, 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily. The wide array of fresh pad thai, egg rolls, curry, satay, Rangoon, soup and salad is available for pickup or delivery. La 27th Restaurante Nicaraguense, 1830 W. Pico Boulevard, Suite C, 213387-2467, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Don’t miss out on the traditional Nicaraguan fare, including grilled chicken breast, fried plantain cheese or fried fish delivered through Orderhero, Postmates and DoorDash. Papa Cristo’s, 2771 W. Pico Boulevard, 323-7372970, papacristos.com, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Get a big fat Greek fix at Papa Cristo’s with food available for pickup or delivery. Papa Cristo’s menu is chock full of tasty Greek items like gyros, roasted lamb or Greek island shrimp platter. King Taco, 2020 W. Pico Boulevard, 213-384-8115, kingtaco.com,
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9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Tacos and burritos are available at King Taco for to-go orders only. Margarita’s Mexican Food, 2101 W. Pico Boulevard, Suite A5, 213-738-5205, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Margarita’s is open for pickup only at the restaurant, and delivery through DoorDash, Postmates, Grubhub and UberEats. Jack in the Box, 2120 W. Pico Boulevard, 213-252-8209, jackinthebox.com, 24 hours. Jack in the Box is ready to serve the public its favorites through its drive-thru, takeout, mobile app or delivery via Postmates, Grubhub, UberEats and DoorDash. Pollos El Brasero, 2281 W. Pico Boulevard, 2 13-381-6060, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Delicious chicken and Peruvian food like lomo saltado and arroz chaufa de carne are available from Pollos El Brasero through DoorDash. Dino’s Chicken & Burgers, 2575 W. Pico Boulevard, 213-3803554, dinoschicken.com, 6 a.m. to 11
DOWNTOWN NEWS 11
p.m. Monday to Thursday, 6 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Dino’s breakfast, burgers, hot dogs and chicken are available for pickup orders over the phone. La Pupusa Urban Eatery, 1051 W. Washington Boulevard, Unit G, 213-749-4573, lapupusadtla. com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Monday. Experience Salvadorian traditional flavors with a Los Angeles twist through La Pupusa Urban Eatery via curbside pickup or delivery through Postmates. El Charro Restaurant, 1621 W. Sixth Street, 213-292, 0668, charromexicanfood.com, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Easygoing tacos, tortas, quesadilla and other familiar Mexican food is available for takeout or delivery. Check out the website for coupons and specials. Sabor Columbiano, 847 S. Union Avenue, 213-388-0150, saborcolobianola.com, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. This modest Colombian restaurant dishes out a selection of traditional meat and seafood dishes available for pickup or delivery.
GARCETTI, 4 24 hours, and the measure of relief it is giving to those who come up negative and the assistance it is giving to those who are positive and the health care that they need.” But more testing means more medical workers who can test, treat, heal and tend to coronavirus patients, the mayor noted. He also declared that, together with L.A. County, the city has opened another portal for medical personnel recruitment, with paid and pro-bono positions. “There are few Angelinos in more demand right now than medical staff,” he stated. “Many doctors’ offices are actually closed that do elective procedures; those folks might be listening right now at home wondering ‘How can I help?’ this is your shot.” During his March 23 conference, Garcetti assured renters that their apartment units would not be pulled off the markets during this time. He also announced that the city of Los Angeles is working to raise $25 million to assist the vulnerable and those in need, also ensuring that senior citizens will have meals. He went on to ask Angelenos to extend a helping hand and donate to the emergency crisis response fund. Garcetti shared that he is committed to making sure no renters lose homes during this crisis to landlords converting rental properties into condominiums. On March 23, he enacted an emergency order prohibiting the removal of any residential rental units from the rental market under
the Ellis Act. “This action closes a gap in the eviction moratorium that we had put forward earlier and clarifies that this special act of evictions is also prohibited,” Garcetti said. He said it will prevent people from losing their homes at the same time the city is encouraging people to stay at home. “Thank you to the people of this great city who are staying at home. Thank you for
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listening last night,” Garcetti said in reference to a press conference March 22 where he stressed the importance of social distancing. “I will continue to reinforce with folks that you can be a lifesaver, but your actions can also take a life.” Garcetti also thanked first responders and those who continue to work at such critical businesses as supermarkets, so people can get the things they need.
“We know that there is no protective forcefield around us,” Garcetti said. “Coronavirus simply cannot be wished away, we have to work it away, each one of us, by staying home and those critical workers doing what we need. It will go away because of our actions, but it will also go away because of our hearts.”
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
12 DOWNTOWN NEWS
MARCH 30, 2020
Location is Everything
Museum Tower Apartments is located in the heart of downtown’s artistic mecca just steps from the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Ahmanson Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Grand Park and the Broad Museum, as well as exceptional fine dining and entertainment. Livng in a beautifully appointed Museum Tower apartment home puts you in the middle of this cultural immersion.
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