REGIONAL MESSAGE ON COVID-19 THREAT ALERT SOUTHBAY CITIES
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER
KEY MESSAGES
October 16, 2020
HEALTH OFFICER ORDER UPDATED TO ALLOW FOR LIMITED SOCIAL GATHERINGS
On Wednesday, October 14, 2020, LA County updated its guidance to allow for private gatherings of 3 or fewer households, as long as everyone is outdoors, wears a cloth face covering, and keeps at least 6 feet of physical distance. All food must be in single-serve disposable containers, and the duration of the gathering is short.
Here are some recommendations to limit your risk:
Keep your circles small. If you gather with two other households, try and keep that consistent with limiting your risk and spread if someone tests positive or develops symptoms.
Stay outdoors. We know that transmission is lower outdoors and in the open air.
Practice good hygiene: Basic everyday prevention like handwashing, using hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol, and not sharing drinks or utensils.
As a reminder, large public events and gatherings remain prohibited by the Health Officer Order, even when held outdoors. Nothing in the state's revised guidance changes this.
To read the complete updated Health Officer Order, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov.
THE SPECTRUM OF TRANSMISSION FROM CONTACT TO AEROSOLIZED
The way individuals can contract COVID-19 has been a debatable topic in the scientific community. COVID-19 is truly a novel virus. Each day, scientists learn more about virus behavior transmission, treatments, and immunities. And because this virus is entirely new to humans, as we learn more, the guidelines will change so that the public can be better informed. Based on what we know today about COVID-19 transmission is that it falls somewhere in the middle between contact and aerosolized transmission. This is why wearing face coverings, and physical distancing is crucial in reducing the spread. The graphic below explains this in more detail.
Each one of us collectively has the ability to slow the spread of COVID-19. Until we have a vaccine, we all have the tools to reduce our risk to ourselves, family members, and our community. Thank you for doing your part.
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