Culver City PRCS Department Program Cancellations And Senior Center Closure

From the City of Culver City:

March 11, 2020

Beginning March 11, 2020, the City of Culver City has cancelled all nonessential City-sponsored events for the next four weeks as a Coronavirus precautionary measure. This includes the My Brother’s Keeper program (March 14) and Egg-stravaganza (March 21) which are now cancelled.

Additionally, starting Saturday March 14, 2020, the City of Culver City will close the Culver City Senior Center until further notice, also as a Coronavirus precautionary measure. This includes the fitness room, pool room, computer room and all classes, programs, workshops, and events. Additionally, any city-sponsored events and classes for the age 50+ population will be cancelled. The entire building will be closed for older adult programming. The Senior Center WILL still provide essential services such as lunch through an outdoor pick-up program and social services via telephone. More specific information on Senior programming and services can be found below.

While not mandatory, we are highly encouraging renters during this time period to cancel or reschedule events, especially those with 50 or greater people in attendance. If renters decide to cancel or reschedule your event, the City can offer these changes at no charge. Please contact our rental office staff at vmc.booking@culvercity.org or 310-253-6625 with any questions or changes.

The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department takes pride in the role we play in the lives of residents of all ages in the Culver City community and look forward to the time when we can all gather together in good health.

Currently, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend social distancing when there is significant community transmission of the novel coronavirus. As of today, Los Angeles County has 27 confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), two of which are community spread.

In a recent press release, LA County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, noted, “With the discovery of community spread yesterday, we will continue to see more cases of COVID-19 in LA County. With more cases, we are urging people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and the elderly to practice social distancing by avoiding non-essential travel, public events, community gatherings, and indoor venues.”

The City will continue to work closely with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to protect the health and safety of our Culver City residents, visitors and staff. Learn more about the Coronavirus on the County’s website and see below for additional recommendations on reducing your risk for contracting COVID-19.

Updates and additional information will be posted at on the PRCS Department page.

Culver City Senior Center Programs & Services

City staff will continue to monitor the situation closely and will reopen the Senior Center when it is safe to do so. The COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly, and staff will follow the recommendations and guidelines of LA County, the CDC, and other authorities. Please note at this time we do not have a defined reopening date but will announce it as soon as we know.

Senior Center information desk staff is available via phone at 310-253-6700 between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm to answer any questions. Many of our partnership organizations such as WISE and Healthy Aging and the LA County Department of Mental Health will be available by phone should patrons need to contact them. If you have questions regarding specific programming and activities, please contact programming staff at 310-253-6715.

Registered participants in the Senior Center nutrition program will be able to pick up lunches at the Senior Center on Mondays and Thursdays between 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. Frozen meals will be provided for the days when there is no meal pick-up service. The home delivered meals program will also continue to provide meals to our local housebound seniors. If you have questions regarding meal pickup or home delivered meals during this time, please contact nutrition program staff at 310-253-6712.

The City’s social services partner, Special Services for Groups (SSG), will be available at the Senior Center to receive calls between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm and they can be reached via phone at 310-253-6717. SSG social workers are here to provide you mental health services, care management, and address other social service needs.

If you are a member of one of these groups that is at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:

• Stock up on supplies.
• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
• Avoid crowds as much as possible.
• Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
• During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.

AQUATICS / THE PLUNGE - The Plunge will be closed as was previously scheduled for annual maintenance from March 14 - April 4, 2020.

SPRING CAMP, ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS & CLASSES - As of March 11, 2020, Spring camps and other programs will continue as scheduled, however, please keep in mind that this may change at any time.

Recommendations for COVID-19 Preparedness

The best way for the Culver City community to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
• Cover your cough or sneeze;
• Stay home if you are sick;
• Get your flu shot to protect against flu or symptoms similar to COVID-19;
• Try alternatives to shaking hands, like an elbow bump or wave; and
• If you have recently returned from a country with ongoing COVID-19 infections, monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials.

There is no recommendation to wear masks at this time to prevent yourself from getting sick.

You can also prepare for the possible disruption caused by an outbreak:

• Make sure you have a supply of all essential medications for your family;
• Make a child care plan if you or a care giver are sick;
• Make arrangements about how your family will manage a school closure; and
• Make a plan for how you can care for a sick family member without getting sick yourself.

For your convenience, you may download a copy of the information above.

This press release was produced by the City of Culver City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.