REGIONAL MESSAGE ON COVID-19 THREAT ALERT SOUTHBAY CITIES
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER
KEY MESSAGES
August 14, 2020
*All weekly regional messages can be found under the COVID-19 tab on the www.alertsouthbay.com homepage.
FACE COVERINGS: WHY THEY MATTER
We know that COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets (produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or raises their voice). These droplets can land in the eyes, mouths, or noses of those nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs.
So, What Do Face Coverings Do?
Significant emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies show masks reduce the spray of microscopic respiratory droplets when worn over the nose and mouth. This is called source control.
A face covering limits the spread of respiratory droplets from every person wearing a face covering that fits snugly over their mouth AND nose. The simple piece of fabric stops many of your respiratory droplets from reaching those around you.
Because we have no way of knowing if we (or those around us) are infected with COVID-19, the best strategy is ALWAYS to wear a face-covering when around people that are not part of your household, and to ask that those around you wear a face covering as well.
Face coverings can feel uncomfortable, but they do protect us all. Furthermore, while we look forward to a time when we do not have to wear them - we are not there yet.
Here are some tips on properly wearing your face covering:
Make sure the masks fit snugly but comfortably against the side of your face.
Is secured with ties or ear loops.
Includes multiple layers of fabric.
Allows for breathing without restriction.
Can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
Covers mouth and nose with no gaps between your face and the mask.
Do not forget:
Children should NOT wear masks under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Masks with exhalation valves (or vents) should NOT be worn to help prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading COVID-19 to others.
Please adhere to the modifications and restrictions working to get us back to slowing the spread again.
Moreover, if you plan on visiting the local beach cities of Manhattan and Hermosa Beach, take a moment and read their policies on face-covering enforcement.
Hermosa Beach Face Covering Enforcement
Manhattan Beach Face Covering Enforcement
For more information on how to stay safe during the COVID-19 emergency health crisis, visit covid19.lacounty.gov.
BE FIRE AWARE: PREPARE TODAY
Wildfire preparedness starts BEFORE you are threatened with a wildfire. As we head into the fall, you can take four simple steps to prepare yourself and your family from wildfire danger.
Sign-up to receive local emergency alerts.
You can do this by visiting https://member.everbridge.net/311578402488335/login and selecting the cities you wish to be alerted by.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Identify at least two ways in and out of your neighborhood.
Identify a reliable news source so that you do not spend precious time validating information. Local AM/FM radio stations will broadcast emergency information when available. Check with your local city for their listing.
Be prepared to evacuate by creating a go-bag with essential documents and supplies.
This should include at a minimum copies of insurance documents, birth records, vaccination records and medical information, medications, food, water, first aid supplies, and FACE COVERINGS! If you have children or pets, consider their needs as well. And remember, if you feel unsafe, you do not have to wait to be told to leave.
Have a plan on where you will go and how you will communicate.
COVID-19 presents new challenges with sheltering. Staying with close friends or family may be a better option right now, depending on your situation.
Develop a plan on how you will communicate with loved ones if you need to leave suddenly to include a meeting location.
Also, identify alternative ways to communicate, such as SMS and email, as they require less data and are more reliable than voice communications in disasters.
With the recent fires in the area, it’s always a good idea to check the air quality in your area before spending time outdoors. You can do this by visiting https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=dd4a15deed8647edacb14f140ca83d05
For more information on how to be Fire Aware, visit http://fire.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ready-set-go_051420.pdf.
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