Special March 2020 Newsletter

With all the information about COVID-19 coming at us this week from a variety of sources, I encourage everyone to take a moment to gather our thoughts.

The next two weeks will be crucial as we continue to learn from the experts about COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus. Your part as a constituent in the 32nd Senate District is essential as we keep each other informed.

You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care, attending work if need be and shopping for groceries.

I will try to keep posting updates to help all of the residents, businesses, first responders and healthcare workers in Senate District 32.

Thank you to the officials at Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Buena Park, Commerce, Downey, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Santa Fe Springs, Lakewood, Hawaiian Gardens, Whittier, La Mirada, La Habra Heights, Hacienda Heights and  Los Angeles County, representing the unincorporated areas of Whittier, for doing their part in reducing the spread of COVID-19. They have canceled meetings, events and other social gatherings to help mitigate the health risks to all of us living and working in Senate District 32.

Our school districts, colleges and area chambers of commerce have also taken measures to limit exposure to this virus.

Please use common sense to keep yourself, your families and neighbors safe.

Remember, we will get through this health crisis together.

For more information please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

God bless,

Senator Bob Archuleta
Thirty-Second Senate District
 

Central Basin Municipal Water District’s mission is to deliver reliable and high-quality water, now and for future generations. The health and safety of its directors, staff, and communities the district serves is its top priority. The district assures its consumers that COVID-19 has no impact on its water quality or supply.
 
The district is actively monitoring and following guidance and advice regarding this illness from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has stated that the “COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.” As a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Member Agency, the district delivers imported water from the State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct to its service area. MWD performs rigorous maintenance to ensure reliable service and invests in state-of-the-art treatment upgrades to provide the highest quality of water.
 
To view frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and water supply, visit: http://mwdh2o.com/PDF_NewsRoom/COVID-19_FAQ.pdf

The Department of Insurance is doing its part during the COVID-19 emergency

In light of Governor Newsom’s executive order on March 12 enhancing state and local government’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department has instituted steps to maintain operations while protecting public health.

• Its Consumer Hotline remains staffed Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, for questions related to health, homeowners, commercial and other areas of insurance. Contact the Department’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov. 
• Transitioning public meetings to online and postponing non-essential meetings in order to ensure government transparency and public health.
• Maintaining its fiscal oversight of the insurance industry to ensure rates are non-discriminatory, not excessive, and adequate.
• Ensuring that licensing of agents and brokers continues uninterrupted in order to support small businesses and employment.

The Department of Insurance is responding to COVID-19 with a series of steps to protect public health and maintain a strong insurance market to serve consumers.

It is supporting actions by state and local public health leaders to mitigate the spread and severity of COVID-19.

For up-to-date information about public health measures and access to testing and treatment, visit these sources:

• California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
• City or County public health agency -- Find your county or city here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/LocalHealthServicesAndOffices.aspx
• Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/

What the Department of Insurance is doing to protect consumers during the COVID-19 emergency:

Eliminating cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing – On March 5, Governor Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Lara directed insurance companies to eliminate co-pays, deductibles and other costs related to screening and testing for COVID-19. The actions include:

• Immediately eliminating cost-sharing, including but not limited to co-pays, deductibles, and coinsurance, for medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 and associated hospital, emergency department, urgent care, and provider office visits where the purpose of the visit is to be screened and/or tested for COVID-19
• Educating providers and the public that cost-sharing is waived for medically necessary COVID-19 screening and testing, and for the associated office, urgent care, or ER visits for such screening or testing
• Reminding plans that California law requires emergency care without prior authorization, whether it is at an in-network or out-of-network hospital
• Protecting policyholders from unlawful “balance bills” from providers related to the testing of COVID-19
• Ensuring adequate provider networks to handle an increase in health care services, as more COVID-19 cases develop in California

As California increases the capacity for testing, consumers should contact their doctor and state and local public health agency for more information. Consumers with concerns or complaints about accessing care for COVID‑19 under their health insurance policy may also contact the Department’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov. 

Link to more information: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2020/release025-2020-2.cfm

Supermarkets Step Up for Seniors, Disabled and Pregnant Women

Effective Wednesday March 18th, 2020 all Vallarta Supermarket locations, Super A Foods, Big Saver and Northgate Markets will be open from 7-8am for those 65+ years old, pregnant women, and those with disabilities. All from 7-8am or those 65+ years old, pregnant women, and those with disabilities.

In my district we have Vallarta Supermarkets in Whittier and Downey; Super A Foods in Commerce and Montebello; Northgate Markets in Pico Rivera and Norwalk; and Big Saver Foods in Pico Rivera and Bellflower.

Learn more about the Coronavirus http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

• Older adults (65+)
• Individuals with compromised immune systems
• Individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or health condition, it is important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease, including: 

• Isolate at home and practice social distancing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay away from large gatherings and crowds.
• Consider ways of getting food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks.

It is also important that you listen to public health officials who may recommend community actions to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19, especially if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.

For more information visit the CDC's website.

What should you do if you think you're sick?

Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19 or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Typically, human coronaviruses cause mild-to-moderate respiratory illness. Symptoms are very similar to the flu, including:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath - COVID-19 can cause more severe respiratory illness.

What is the treatment for COVID-19?

From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80 percent do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. For patients who are more severely ill, hospitals can provide supportive care. We are continuing to learn more about this novel coronavirus and treatment may change over time. 

Sacramento – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today asked California law enforcement to exercise discretion for 60 days in their enforcement of driver license and vehicle registration expiration dates beginning March 16, 2020. The DMV is taking this action so that at-risk populations, including seniors and those with underlying health conditions, can avoid required visits to DMV field offices for driver license or vehicle registration renewals.

This 60-day period for driver license and vehicle registrations is intended to protect the health and safety of DMV customers who would otherwise have to come to a DMV office to take care of business, but are concerned during this coronavirus pandemic.

Those transactions that require a DMV office visit include new driver license, duplicate driver license, some driver license renewals, new license plates, complex vehicle registrations or title transfers and off-highway permits.

Those Californians who will benefit from this action include the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and those who are ill.

Transactions that fall within this action include driver license renewals for those:

• 70 years of age and older, who are required to take a knowledge test
• Individuals who are required to renew in the office (last DMV visit was 15 years prior)
• Individuals subject to vision testing
• Individuals with complex driving history

The 60-day period also applies to vehicle registration renewals for customers who are not eligible to use an alternative service channel because of the following reasons:

• Outdated insurance information
• Registration expired for 90 days or more
• Smog issues
• Recent transfer

Dozens of DMV tasks can easily be taken care of through other channels including online, through the mail, through the 365 kiosks statewide or in our business partner locations.

California law enforcement is encouraged to exercise flexibility and discretion when reviewing driver license or identification and vehicle registration records. If applicable, DMV may waive vehicle registration penalties.

All DMV offices remain open at this time to process those transactions that must be taken care of in an office, including REAL ID. The DMV has implemented many process improvements and incorporated technological solutions to increase access to DMV outside of the office and decrease the amount of time someone has to spend at a DMV office.

For REAL ID, the federal government requires an office visit. REAL ID customers can fill out the online application before going into an office. In 23 offices throughout the state, customers can upload their REAL ID documents before their office visit. This option will be statewide by June.

$1.1 billion in emergency funding can now be used to increase hospital capacity, clean schools and protect those most vulnerable to the disease

In just one day, members of California Legislature came together and unanimously passed emergency measures to fight COVID-19

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom signed emergency legislation today providing up to $1 billion in funding to help California fight COVID-19.

“It’s simply remarkable. In just one day’s time, members of the California Legislature came together across party lines to unanimously pass emergency legislation authorizing over $1 billion to fight COVID-19. This money will provide more hospital beds and medical equipment to help hospitals deal with the coming surge and it will help protect those who are most at risk. I am grateful to the Legislature for their quick action,” said Governor Newsom.

The emergency legislative package provides $500 million General Fund to help California fight COVID-19 and authorizes increases up to $1 billion. The funding will:

• Increase hospital bed capacity and purchase medical equipment to combat the coming surge in COVID-19 patients; 
• Protect hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities most vulnerable to COVID-19 spread;  
• Provide lifesaving services to Californians isolating at home; 
• Support local government to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in homeless populations and provide safe beds for people experiencing homelessness; and
• Provide funding to clean child care facilities that remain open. 

The package also provides $100 million Proposition 98 General Fund for personal protective equipment and cleaning for schools that remain open. It also allows schools to maintain funding despite service disruptions.  

The Governor signed the following bills today:

• SB 89 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Budget Act of 2019.
• SB 117 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Education finance: average daily attendance and timeline waivers: protective equipment and cleaning appropriation: COVID-19.

Employment Development Department Claims and Jobs

The EDD manages the Unemployment Insurance (UI) and State Disability Insurance (SDI) programs for the State of California.

SDI includes Disability Insurance (DI), Paid Family Leave (PFL), and the Nonindustrial Disability Insurance (NDI) programs. NDI includes DI and Family Care Leave (FCL).

Claimants and employers must understand their roles and responsibilities in making sure that information is reported accurately and the correct benefits are paid. Committing fraud has serious outcomes.

For more information Log onto to www.edd.ca.gov

When a Disaster Strikes Don’t Het Overcharged

If the government declares an emergency, increasing the price of goods and services 10% or more is price gouging.

Price Gouging is a crime. After a disaster, price increases can occur at grocery stores, gasoline stations, housing, emergency and medical supply stores, construction and repair services and online shopping.

If you think a store or service provider is committing price gouging, compare prices prior to the state of emergency and in areas not effected by the disaster.

Consumers are protected by a price increase of 10% or more for 30 days on goods and services and for 180 days on contractor-related services. Keep detailed records of purchases you make during a declared emergency.

If you believe you were a victim of price gouging, contact the department and file a complaint by calling (800) 593-8222 or visit Los Angeles County Consumer and Business Affairs at www.dcba.lacounty.gov

Please call 911 if you are having an emergency. If you have other questions regarding the coronavirus, we hope the above links will lead you in the right direction. Our office is here to assist you.

My field office in Norwalk can be reached at (562) 406-1001 and my Sacramento office can be reached at (916) 651-4032.