LA County Health Officer Will Implement These Toughened Targeted COVID Restrctions On Nov. 30; Will LB Health Officer Do Likewise, Or Do Something Else?

LBReport.com

News

If LBREPORT.com didn't tell you,
who would?No one in LBREPORT.com's ownership, reporting or editorial decision-making has ties to development interests, advocacy groups or other special interests; or is seeking or receiving benefits of City development-related decisions; or holds a City Hall appointive position; or has contributed sums to political campaigns for Long Beach incumbents or challengers. LBREPORT.com isn't part of an out of town corporate cluster and no one its ownership, editorial or publishing decisionmaking has been part of the governing board of any City government body or other entity on whose policies we report.

LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. Support independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.

(November 28, 2020, 5:00 a.m.) -- As flashed at length on Friday (Nov, 27) on LBREPORT>com's front page and Facebook platform, the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health -- whose orders don't apply in Long Beach unless LB's Health Officer independently chooses to implement them -- has signaled it plans to implement toughened targeted COVID restrctions on Monday Nov. 30. Among other things they will forbid all public and private gatherngs with individuals not in one's household (except for church and constitutionally protected protests.) However the order is targeted to allow certain activities at specified reduced levels.

LA County Dept. of Public Health Officer Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D. first floated the recomendations at the November 24 County Board of Supervisors meeting (when Supervisors voted 2-3 against a motion by Barger-Hahn to continue to allow outdoor restaurant dining.) At that time, Supervisors voiced no audible opposition to the targeted restrictions recommended (if COVID cases continue to rise as they have) by LA County Public Health Dir. Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D.

LBREPORT.com believes that (contrary to a narrowly drawn memo by the City Attorney's office) the Long City Council DOES have certain actions it can take in response. In addition to voicing audible opposition (the City Attorney's memo isn't a gag order), a Council majority has the power to remove the City Manager (subject to a Mayoral veto that six Councilmembers can override.) [A Council majority did so during the O'Neill administration, removing then-City Manager Henry Taboada.] A Council majority could inform City Manager Tom Modica that his subordinate LB Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, MD, no longer has the support of a Council majority, effectively giving Mr. Modica a choice: replace Health Officer Davis or stand by her and face possible removal and replacement himself.

No LB Councilmembers have indicated that they favor anything like this over any actions to date by Dr. Davis, including her recent three week ban on outdoor restaurant dining.

Below is what LA County plans to implement on Nov. 30. Will LB's Health Dept. follow the County (as it has mostly done on other COVID 19 restrictions) or do something else? ..

[Scroll down for further.]

[LA County Dept. of Public Health Nov. 27 text]...In the new Order that goes into effect on Monday (Nov. 30), residents are advised to stay home as much as possible and always wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when they are outside their household and around others.
The additional safety modifications in the order include the following changes to the existing Health Officer Order:
Gatherings: All public and private gatherings with individuals not in your household are prohibited, except for church services and protests, which are constitutionally protected rights.
Occupancy limits at various businesses; all individuals at these sites are required to wear face coverings and keep at least 6 feet of distance:
Essential retail -- 35% maximum occupancy
Non-essential retail (includes indoor malls) – 20% maximum occupancy
Personal care services -- 20% maximum occupancy
Libraries -- 20% maximum occupancy
Fitness centers operating outdoors -- 50% maximum occupancy
Museums galleries, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens operating outdoors -- 50% maximum occupancy
Mini-golf, batting cages, go-kart racing operating outdoors -- 50% maximum occupancy

Outdoor recreation activities all which require face coverings (except for swimming) and distancing:
Beaches, trails, and parks remain open; gatherings at these sites with members outside your household are prohibited.
Golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball, archery ranges, skate parks, bike parks, and community gardens remain open for individuals or members of a single household. Pools that serve more than one household may open only for regulated lap swimming with one person per lane.
Drive-in movies/events/car parades are permitted provided occupants in each car are members of one household.

Schools
All schools and day camps remain open adhering to re-opening protocols. K-12 Schools and Day Camps with an outbreak (3 cases or more over 14 days) should close for 14 days.
Closed non-essential businesses/activities:
Playgrounds (with the exception of playgrounds at childcare and schools)
Cardrooms

Because of the high rates of transmission in the community, restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries remain closed for in-person dining and drinking, as customers are not wearing face coverings during their visit which results in an increased chance of transmission of the virus. Restaurants, wineries and breweries remain open for pick-up, delivery, and take-out. Breweries and wineries remain open for retail sales at 20% occupancy.
There are 1,893 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 24% of these people are in the ICU. On October 27, one month ago, there were 747 people hospitalized with COVID-19.
Public Health reminds everyone to stay home as much as possible and avoid seeing people you don’t live with, even if you don’t feel sick. Residents are also reminded to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth whenever they are outside their home and around others, as COVID-19 can be unintentionally spread to other people. We can also reduce transmission by keeping a physical distance of at least 6-feet when outside and around others. Taking these simple safety precautions, in addition to washing your hands frequently, will save lives.
Additionally, it is very important that if you are even mildly sick or think you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 that you stay home and away from other people, especially those at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and consider being tested for COVID-19...

Sponsor

Sponsor

Sponsor

Support really independent news in Long Beach. No one in LBREPORT.com's ownership, reporting or editorial decision-making has ties to development interests, advocacy groups or other special interests; or is seeking or receiving benefits of City development-related decisions; or holds a City Hall appointive position; or has contributed sums to political campaigns for Long Beach incumbents or challengers. LBREPORT.com isn't part of an out of town corporate cluster and no one its ownership, editorial or publishing decisionmaking has been part of the governing board of any City government body or other entity on whose policies we report. LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. You can help keep really independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Recommend LBREPORT.com to your Facebook friends:

Follow LBReport.com with:

Twitter

Facebook

RSS

Return To Front Page

Adoptable pet of the week: