Covid-19

LA County Covid-19 Rent Relief

Program Application Period Open August 17th – August 31st

The LA County COVID-19 Rent Relief application began accepting applications at 8:00AM on August 17th. Tenants (renters whose name is listed on the lease or rental agreement) may apply by either calling 2-1-1, or by filling out the online application form that will be available on this page.

Application assistance through 211 LA is available daily from 8:00AM – 8:00PM, August 17th – 31st. (dial 2-1-1)

Who is Eligible? People who meet ALL of the following requirements:

Renters (residential properties only) within Los Angeles County Map of LA County
Can not live within the City of Los Angeles boundaries* (not sure? If your utilities are from DWP (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power), you are probably in the City of Los Angeles! You can also look at this City of LA Map. (Note, the City of LA had their own rental assistance program, which has closed.)
Must have experienced an inability to pay rent due to COVID-19
Must be below 50% of median income based on your household size (see income limits below)

You may qualify if the income of all adults (18+) in the household is at or less than the amounts below:

1 Person Household – $39,450

2 Person Household – $45,050

3 Person Household – $50,700

4 Person Household – $56,300

5 Person Household – $60,850

6 Person Household – $65,350

7 Person Household – $69,850

8 Person Household – $74,350

*Units located in the City of Los Angeles are not eligible for this program – LA City residents can contact 3-1-1 or view the LA City COVID-19 Rent Protections.

TO APPLY CLICK HERE

Source: 211la.org

Black Women Founders Bring COVID-19 Screening Stations to Schools, Offices, Prisons and More

With COVID-19 infections topping more than 2.2 million in the United States, Black and Brown communities continue to be among the hardest-hit populations in the country. The coronavirus pandemic has brought to the forefront the vital need for ongoing temperature monitoring as a first line of defense, in fact, in some states, certain employers are required to conduct routine onsite temperature checks as a permissible screening mechanism.

“We are thrilled to be working with such a respected team of engineers and software developers to expand our company’s capability and assist in reducing the risk of the spread of the virus,” says Lynda. Their Maryland-based company will sell these temperature screening stations under their own brand called Orange ThermoControl™ and Orange ThermoControl Plus™ powered by Promobot.

“These stations are game-changers and have the ability to impact a lot of people by bringing this safety solution to the masses,” says Carolyn.

Their devices are free-standing and offer a non-contact thermal temperature reader, camera, 21.5″ display, face recognition module, access control system module, advance notification system, built-in speakers for audio assistance, and customizable software integration. The stations provide a fast, convenient, contact-free process for measuring body temperature and allows communication between user and remote operator with privacy in mind. Telepresence mode is an advanced notification system able to integrate with a company’s CRM access control systems and satisfies ADA standards for accessible design.

Even more, Orange ThermoControl™ and Orange ThermoControl Plus™ powered by Promobot are programmed and assembled in the USA. Installation consists of three quick steps and does not require any prolonged commissioning.

“We see our products as a necessary enhancement to safety protocols to assist with the health and well-being of people everywhere. There is no need to take a chance and risk your staff and employees’ exposure to COVID-19 when we have the solution,” they add.

Source: https://www.blackbusiness.com/2020/06/black-women-founders-using-thermal-robotics-rapid-test-kits-fight-covid-19.html

Dr. Chandra Ford Explains Why Coronavirus Is Hitting African American Communities the Hardest

Although there is still so much medical professionals don’t know about COVID-19, preliminary data throughout the country point to racial disparities in the pandemic.

Recent Southern California numbers show African Americans account for 15 percent of the novel coronavirus-related illnesses and deaths, despite the fact that they only make up 9 percent of Los Angeles County’s population. Dr. Chandra Ford, Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health and Sciences at UCLA and Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice and Health, tells Inside the Issues that, initially, data didn’t seem to suggest high rates of illness in African American communities.

“In Los Angeles when we first started getting data, the data suggested that the highest rates of COVID-19 infection were actually occurring in the wealthier communities and that seemed premature to me and my colleagues,” she said. “In part because testing was not widely available to everyone and that seemed to reflect people who had access to testing and people who had traveled abroad.”

Dr. Ford said the messaging in black communities has gone from seeing it as a virus that affects groups differently to stigmatizing why certain groups are contracting the coronavirus. She said lower-income communities aren’t able to easily access hospitals or high-quality health care.

Source: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/inside-the-issues/2020/04/23/why-the-coronavirus-is-hitting-african-american-communities-the-hardest