Alert SouthBay
Regional Integrated Alert and Warning Notification System
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JIC Regional Message April 24, 2020

REGIONAL MESSAGE ON COVID-19 THREAT ALERT SOUTH BAY CITIES JOINT INFORMATION CENTER

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER

KEY MESSAGES

April 24, 2020

 

GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION

 FIRE SAFETY

There has been a surge in residential house fires across the County. Residents are reminded to make sure they have functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. Families have three minutes after a smoke alarm is activated to escape. 

Activity: Take a moment and check your batteries to make sure they are connected and working. Families are also encouraged to be mindful of fire hazards at home and to discuss fire escape safety with their families, especially those with children. Identify two ways out of each room in your home as the doorway may not always be an option. Los Angeles County Fire Department has a FIRE guide that walks families through simple steps to ensure a fire-safe home and teaches new strategies to safely escape if a fire strikes at home. 

HEAT SAFETY

The National Weather Service (NWS) is anticipating very warm temperatures over the next few days. While everyone is impacted by excessive heat, young children, the elderly, people who have difficulty with mobility, and anyone with health problems tends to be most at risk of developing complications. Here are some ways to beat the heat while Safer at Home:

  • Reduce, eliminate, or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day.

  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat.

  • Eat easy-to-digest foods like fruit or salads. 

  • Drink plenty of water, and drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. Focus on non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids, since alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate you.

  • Spend time in air conditioning. If you do not have access to air conditioning and are in a dire emergency situation, there are a few cooling centers located within the County. For additional information, including a map of Emergency Cooling Centers, click here.

    • To obtain assistance over the phone with locating the nearest Emergency Cooling Center, dial 2-1-1. Multilingual staff is ready to assist.

  • Use electric fans.

  • Try to stay out of the sun.

  • Take cool baths or showers.

  • Be able to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and true heat emergencies (heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, heatstroke). Call emergency services (911) in the event of a heat emergency and try to cool the victim until help arrives.

WATER SAFETY

For families that own or have access to swimming pools:

  • Never take your eyes off a child that is near or in a swimming pool; children can “drown without a sound.”

  • Don’t rely on fences or barriers and inflatable devices for safety in a swimming pool.

  • Even if your child has had swimming lessons, they are still at risk for drowning; nothing substitutes adult supervision.

  • Learn CPR; you never know when you might need this life-saving skill.

COVID-19 TESTING VS ANTIBODY TESTING: KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE

COVID-19 Testing: These tests are utilized to determine if a patient is infected with the virus at time of testing. These can be administered to patients who are symptomatic for COVID-19. These are generally done by utilizing swabs. For a list of testing sites, please click here.

Antibody Testing (Serologic Test):  These are tests to determine who has had COVID-19 and recovered, or those who have been exposed to COVID-19 and developed antibodies regardless if they were symptomatic. Serological tests can help identify individuals who have developed an immune response to the virus, either as part of an active infection or a prior infection and is usually done by a blood sample. These are not currently FDA approved tests. Check with your local healthcare provider to determine if a serologic test is appropriate for you. 

ALERT SOUTHBAY PSA: SAFER AT HOME

During this unprecedented time in all our lives, our Alert SouthBay cities are so appreciative of everyone’s collective efforts to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We are deeply humbled by the acts of human kindness our communities have shown towards each other. And while we have flattened the curve, we need to remain vigilant as to not create a second wave of infections. Please take a moment and watch the Alert SouthBay PSA on Safer at Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs6SFuc9ZS8

SOUTHBAY COMMUNITY SURVEY #2

Survey #2 is still open and we need your feedback on how we can better communicate and serve our communities. Thank you for taking the time to provide your comments. To access the survey, please click here: 

English: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z9ZD2NW

Spanish: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZQ6ZJQV

For more information on how you can protect yourself, please visit:

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

 

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Soraya Sutherlin