News From Sacramento  » Laura FRIEDMAN

March 2020

The moment we are in is unprecedented. With residents self-isolating, schools closed, events canceled, businesses empty and stores out of common household goods, we are in uncharted territory. There is a lot of uncertainty, which can be frightening and confusing. I want to take a few moments to update you on what I’ve learned about COVID-19, the actions being taken, and my concerns about the long-term impacts of the crisis.

Everyday, government and medical professionals are working at a rapid pace to understand the scope of the pandemic and readying their response. California, Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, and all our region’s school districts have declared a State of Emergency. Declaring an emergency waives regulations that may hinder response efforts, including access to resources. It also activates resources and allows for the government to take quick and decisive action. I can assure you that the coordinated effort among federal, state and local governments has been robust, thoughtful and proactive.

California in particular has been taking extraordinary measures to combat the pandemic and halt the spread of COVID-19. Our state has been preparing for this specific virus since it was first discovered last year.

On Monday, the Legislature passed measures to provide $1 billion in funding to help California respond to the crisis. This will expand the capacity at our hospitals, support critical health care services and first responders, and ensure our schools have the resources they need to serve their students and communities. We were able to work together across party lines and without hesitation – a collaborative effort that will continue in the days and weeks ahead.

My office is participating in daily conference calls with our colleagues, partners, and health agencies from the federal, state and local levels to coordinate response and resource delivery and to share critical information in real time. We are looking at the crisis from every possible angle, working to develop an understanding of the impact it’s having across our community. We are concerned about meeting the unique needs of children, low-income families, foster kids, the elderly, those in long-term care, the homeless, renters, small businesses, nonprofits and the entertainment and hospitality industries.

The health risks of COVID-19 are very real. It is an especially dangerous illness for people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. I hope that you are heeding the message about maintaining social distance, washing your hands and (trying) to not touch your face, but please also be careful about the information you expose yourself and others to. If you have a question about COVID-19, seek out a reputable source of information and don’t take anything you see on social media and even in the media at face value. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov for the most accurate and up-to-date information about the virus. The California Dept. of Public Health can be found online at www.cdph.ca.gov for current information on the situation here in our state.

This is a fluid situation. It is crucial that each of us heed the advice of medical professionals, of our leadership and all emergency personnel. Your government is open and working day and night, and we are doing our best to offer the most up-to-date and accurate information.

In addition, the economic impact of thousands of businesses closing temporarily – from local small businesses to multi-national corporations –will have drastic impacts both short and long-term. The Small Business Administration is working to release emergency funds for small businesses affected by this public health crisis. I will be focusing on state efforts to make sure that our local economy recovers. We also need to focus most on the impacts to residents who are losing their sources of income. They need to be able to pay their rent and feed their families. Both the federal government and the State of California are considering economic stimulus and business assistance packages. I will update you as these discussions progress.

In the meantime, the best advice I can offer is for our community to pull even closer together. Practice social isolation but community bonding. Consider supporting your local food bank or emergency shelter either by volunteering or donating money. Blood banks are in great need of supply. If you are healthy, please consider donating blood to help keep our regional supply strong. We can all benefit from working with our neighbors and making sure no one is abandoned. Buy only what you need and offer excesses to those without.

This is already a difficult situation and it’s likely to get worse before it gets better. But I have faith in our ability to address the crisis with the selfless and unified spirit required. I am proud to hear of the mobilization already underway by members of our community, with people in our district helping each other by bringing supplies and necessities to those in need.

I will continue to work with my colleagues at every level of government during the crisis and my office will remain operational and accessible by phone and through email to help coordinate efforts, provide helpful information, and answer your questions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my District Office at (818) 558-3043 or email me at Assemblymember.Friedman@Assembly.ca.gov.

  laura friedman