First, a little advice (from my own experience): If you have regularly scheduled email blasts, please check that you still want to send those and that the message is appropriate to the current situation, especially as it relates to business closures, safer at home orders and social distancing recommendations. You may want to let your customers know the current status of your business and services.

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce remains open, though we are not taking face-to-face meetings or walk-in visitors. In keeping with the social distancing and safer at home orders, we are working remotely.

We encourage everyone, employers, employees and the public to support our local small businesses in this time of dire economic need. If you had planned to meet for lunch, have a regular lunch or dinner meeting planned or just want to get together with friends for a meal, do it virtually. Zoom offers free video conferencing for small groups. Order food online or by phone, have it delivered or pick it up and connect online for that friendly (or business) meal. You can find a list of open local restaurants at www.pasadena-chamber.org/directory/restaurants-catering.

For restaurants, this was put out today by the City of Pasadena. (If you have modified your operations and are impeded in any way by City of Pasadena officials, inspectors or others, please let me know right away so we can try to intervene and keep you open. (All Pasadena Chamber member restaurants operate with the highest concern for cleanliness and the health of their patrons.) 

• Takeout Operations Guidance for Restaurants:  The Pasadena Public Health Department has issued new food preparation and delivery guidance for restaurants during COVID-19. This document provides guidance for safely preparing, delivering, and receiving food, and can be used by food facilities, food delivery companies, and charitable organizations. For more information, click here.
   
   
  Modifications to Restaurant Operations:  Many restaurants and bars are looking for creative ways to serve the community, but must contact the Environmental Health office if they are interested in modifying their operation to include activities not previously approved.  Facilities operating outside the scope of their health permit may be closed until they are able to do so safely.  To contact the Environmental Health Office, please call (626) 744-6004.

Similarly, support your regular shopping and service destinations by buying gift cards, ordering online (from the local store) and do waht yuo can to help.

Here is what we know as of March 25, 2020:

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT is moving forward with a $2 trillion economic stimulus package after Senate Democrats reached an agreement with the Trump administration on elements of the proposal. Though, as of 3pm PST, four Republican Senators have held up the bill fearing the enhanced unemployment benefits will incentivize people not to return, seek or accept employment. Once the Senate passes the measure, which is expected later today, the House of Representatives is expected to take up the measure today.

As details become available, I will update you on elements of the bill, who is eligible for funding support from the federal government and how you can access those funds.

Stay tuned for further developments!

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS, CROOKS AND FRAUDS:

Los 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,” stated 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 deliver malware and then gain access to passwords, browsing information, credit card numbers, and other personal information. We all need to stay vigilant.” 
Currently, 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 residents in Los Angeles County 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 of Los Angeles reminds residents that 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. 
The following is a list of safety tips the public can follow:

• Avoid online advertising offers related to COVID-19 
• Decline door-to-door solicitations claiming COVID-19 fundraising 
• Do not click on emails and attachments that you do not recognize
• Visit trusted websites for COVID-19 related information

Everyone should remain vigilant and take these steps to avoid being victimized by malicious scammers trying to profit from the COVID-19 crisis. If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the information to local law enforcement. 

NEED HELP WITH YOUR PETS?

Carmel Mims of Pet Porter Pals can safely take care of (even walk) your pets in your home if you (or someone you know) are unable. Call Pet Porter Pals at 626.399.5421 or visit www.petporterpals.com for info.



THINGS TO DO:

Ok, everyone is working from home and has down time to fill. If you've had enough of Netflix and Amazon Prime or just want to do something that doesn't involve staring at a screen, here are a few ideas of things our members can help you with:

1. Cooking classes: New School of Cooking has modified its class schedule and is offering shorter duration classes for adults and kids. Find the info here: https://www.newschoolofcookingla.com/

2. Virtual Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens and more: flinging our virtual gates open wide and inviting you in to EXPLORE, LEARN, LISTEN, and feed your desire for knowledge and beauty. Check out our just-launched podcast series, The Collections, entertain the kids with paper doll Fanny Gray, or just chill with a relaxing visual holiday in the gardens! For kids, they have a downloadable paper doll: Print now
and a background to color: Victorian interior

3. Saybrook University’s Mind and Body Medicine department’s daily mindfulness meditation. Now that we all have to “Stay Safe at Home”, it can be lonesome and challenging. A daily meditation can help keep our mind  centered and healthy in such trying times.  The event starts at 9:15 am PDT for 15 minutes. Go to: https://www.gotomeet.me/LuannFortune/mindfulness-meditation-moments OR dial in using your phone: 1 866 899 4679 | Access Code: 195-157-605

4. The public is invited to explore the USC Pacific Asia Museum collections online at https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/directory/collection/.

5. The Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau has a photography guide to Pasadena. Want to get a nice walk (while maintaining social distancing) and maybe take some pretty photos. Click here for the guide.

6. Get take out and enjoy a meal at home you don't have to prepare for yourself while keeping Pasadena businesses alive. For Pasadena Chamber member restaurants click here.

Things to do from non-Pasadena Chamber members (for adults and kids):

Watch LA-centric movies: Click here for a list compiled by our friends at Discover Los Angeles. (They don't highlight Pasadena (of course): https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/100-hours-of-amazing-los-angeles. (Ok, this could involve Netflix or Amazon Prime, but... )

Experience The Broad from home by browsing the museum's incredible online collection and viewing the various YouTube playlists, including The Un-Private Collection, Summer Happenings, Gallery Talks, and Special Exhibitions.

Opened during the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, the California African American Museum (CAAM) houses a permanent collection of 4,000 objects of art, historical artifacts and memorabilia. CAAM invites you to #MuseumFromHome on their social channels (@caaminla) and via their YouTube channel.

The California Science Center has launched Stuck at Home Science, a family-friendly space to fight boredom and continue your child's science learning with easy to follow activities. 

A hidden gem on the UCLA campus, the Fowler Museum houses collections that feature hundreds of thousands of cultural objects from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas - past and present. Browse the Fowler's Digital Collection of more than 2,000 objects by geographic region, culture, date/era and medium.
 

The GRAMMY Museum is debuting never-before-released digital Public Programs from their archive. The Museum’s Public Programs digital series features intimate sit-down interviews with artists and musicians in its 200-seat Clive Davis Theater. A new program will be released every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00 am PST.
Explore the Hammer Mmuseum's Watch + Listen online archive, featuring hundreds of videos from past public programs, from post-screening Q&As to lectures such as:

SOME BORROWED INFO AND ADVICE:

SBA disaster loans are now being processed! Please visit the website link here, if your business needs a loan to cover “economic injury” related to this COVID-19 declared disaster.  https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela (PLEASE understand, the Federal stimulus package may provide interest-free and forgivable loans and grants to support your business.)
 

Economic implications for LA County: LAEDC Institute for Applied Economics offers analysis and recommendations

We’re stuck at home – Let’s gain skills, new certificates! :
Perfect time for online education, to raise your earnings potential — Here’s what to study