As of Thursday, May 21st, the world has seen 5,047, 377 cases of Covid-19 with 329,816 deaths. In the US we have seen 1,562,714 cases with 93, 863 deaths. In California, we have experienced 88, 10-7 cases with 3,592 deaths. LA County has seen 42, 037 cases with 2, 016 fatalities. In Pasadena we have had 79 fatalities with 790 cases. The predominace of infections in Pasadena occurred in senior living or senior care facilities.
The City of Pasadena Public Health Director, Dr. Goh, had requested a waiver from the State of California to have Pasadena reopen on a different schedule from LA County but was denied.
From the New York Times: As of Wednesday, every state in the nation had at least started reopening parts of their economies that had been shut down in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In California, that process — complex, though it’s been — has been accelerating, with at least 36 of the state’s 58 counties filing documents saying they’re ready to allow dine-in restaurants and a host of other kinds of businesses to reopen, with modifications. And while some states are continuing to see cases rise, the data in California is promising. Still, officials here have cautioned repeatedly: Don’t assume we’re out of the woods yet.
The City of Pasadena is developing guidelines for reopening and considering reopening protocols for businesses. The City of Pasadena is providing weekly updates to business about status, protocols, opening scedules and more. Here is a link to the latest report: https://mailchi.mp/cityofpasadena/briefing-on-covid-19-for-the-pasadena-business-community-4840618?e=4d57c66563
The Pasadena Chamber and others have been working with City staff on reopening protocols and allowances that will enable busineses to open more successfully. Here is what we think City of Pasadena can do:
1. Allow retailers and restaurants to expand into the public realm by right to allow service on adjacent sidewalks, streets and parking lots, including alcohol service in conjunction with food with no additional permits, inspections or costs. Do this throughout Pasadena. Do this indefinitely.
2. Allow restaurants expedited CUP processes for alcohol service with staff approvals, minimal costs and no hearings.
3. Allow for expedited reopening-related approvals-over the phone and online will suffice. Do not charge for any approval, inspection or permit related to reopening.
4. Enact a moratorium on the expiration of any and all CUPs related to business closures. Extend pending applications indefinitely.
5. Allow for expedited tenant improvement permits during business closures.
6. Encourage all City employees to patronize Pasadena businesses through weekly emails to all. They can buy gift cards, order take-out, order online from local stores. Your employees should do everything they can right now to support our local small businesses and tax base.
7. City must restructure all procurement to aggressively support local Pasadena businesses.
8. City must not do anything to add costs to local businesses under any circumstances.
You can provide input to the City of Pasadena by clicking here and emailing your ideas and concerns:
The Chamber has also been advocating with the City Council to put $1 million toward seed funding for the Pasadena Storefront Small Business Relief Fund, a cooperative effort with the Pasadena Community Foundation and the Chamber to provide up to $10,000 grants to locally owned small businesses throughout the City. So far, the Council referred the item to the Economic Development and Technology Committee which referred it to Economic Development Department staff for input. The committee is expected to see the report in two to three weeks. While Sierra Madre, Arcadia and others have identified funding for similar grant programs in smaller amount, the City has been reluctant to invest to keep locally owned small businesses operating once the pandemic has passed.
The Pasadena City Council approved an expenditure of $600,000 for the Great Plates Delivered program here in Pasadena. (They expect to be reimbursed by FEMA.) The Great Plates Delivered program is designed to support adults 65 and older and adults 60-64 who are at high risk from COVID-19, in staying home and staying healthy by delivering three (3) nutritious meals a day, and also provide essential economic stimulus to local businesses and workers. The City of Pasadena is now accepting inquiries from seniors interested in participating in the Great Plates Delivered program, and from restaurants interested in providing meals. Interested restaurants and caterers? You can sign up here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=APzZgmYsAkSij8a83DLkkbnhfgBAeptAv_Gh4xvuxEBUNkc2VzNBT0pSTTdTUzBHVFVZSVBESVg4Sy4u
Unemployment data: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County increased over the month to 19.6 percent in April 2020, from a revised 6.7 percent in March 2020, and was above the rate of 4.5 one year ago. Civilian employment decreased by 822,000 to 3,824,000 in April 2020, while unemployment increased by 595,000 to 931,000 over the month. The civilian labor force decreased by 227,000 over the month to 4,755,000 in April 2020. (All of the above figures are seasonally adjusted.) The unadjusted unemployment rate for the county was 20.3 percent in April 2020. The California seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 15.5 percent in April 2020, 5.5 percent in March 2020, and 4.2 percent a year ago in April 2019. The comparable estimates for the nation were 14.7 percent in April 2020, 4.4 percent in March 2020, and 3.6 percent a year ago. Between March 2020 and April 2020, total nonfarm employment in Los Angeles County decreased by 685,000 to 3,884,400
Incident Report: The LA County daily report is a high level summary of L.A. County Emergency Operations Center's response to the COVID-19 health emergency. Click here to view.
The County of Los Angeles appreciates your continued partnership in responding to COVID-19 questions and needs of residents. For additional information, please visit: 1. County of Los Angeles: covid19.lacounty.gov 2. County of Los Angeles Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov 3. California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov. 5. Los Angeles County residents can also call 2-1-1
Ready To Say "I Do"? LA County Has Just The Thing For You. If you're ready to walk down the aisle - wait no more! LA County's Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk announced, this week, residents can now purchase a marriage license & have their civil ceremony on the same video conference call! It's as easy as 1,2,3: 1. Make sure you're eligible. One or both of you must meet the criteria: One individual must be a resident of LA County; Both individuals must be in the same place in the State of California. Both individuals must have valid government identification; Must have a device with video/audio capabilities (desktop, laptop, tablet or phone); Must have an internet connection. 2. Book your appointment. If you meet the above criteria, call 800-201-8999 (and select option 1) to book your appointment. We will accommodate all couples on a first-come-first-serve basis. 3. Visit our website. For more information on the process, including cost, visit the Registrar-Recorder/County-Clerk's Marriage License & Civil Ceremony webpage.
Dear Class of 2020... 
As we approach the season of graduation ceremonies, LA County's Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer and LA County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo have shared an update on in-person graduation ceremonies. Here's what you need to know: 1. The LA County Department of Public Health Officer’s Safer at Home Order prohibits all public and private gatherings. 2. The Order does not allow any exemptions for graduation gatherings of any type in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. This means all in-person graduation ceremonies, including use of cars for drive-in graduations (even if one student at a time), are considered public gatherings and are therefore prohibited. Virtual ceremonies are permitted and encouraged!
Pasadena Water and Power has helpful tips for reopening your business: Click here for the info: https://pasadenawp.myenergysites.com/news/The-Conduit-Newsletter-UA/tips-for-pasadena-businesses-to-reopen-successfully?newsletterCampaignSendId=8039&subscriberId=0c592d88-33dc-431a-9895-bbd928338128&spaceId=ojzcso9e3058