PALMDALE – Palmdale City Manager J.J. Murphy has declared a state of emergency in the City of Palmdale in response to the increasing threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout Los Angeles County, the state, and the country. The declaration will be presented to the City Council for ratification at their meeting on Tuesday, March 17.
“By declaring a state of emergency, we will have better access to the tools and resources we need to fulfill our mission of protecting our residents while carrying out the functions of City government,” said Murphy. “The CDC recommends expanded community mitigation activities to include limiting social interaction, in helping slow the spread of coronavirus. While we are not aware of any confirmed cases in Palmdale, it is important to be pro-active in implementing mitigation strategies to reduce the threat in our community.”
“On the call with the White House that the City Manager and I participated, it was recommended to minimize the community-based spread of coronavirus by implementing local mitigation measures and limiting social interaction where possible,” said Mayor Steve Hofbauer.
During this time, anyone conducting business with the City is encouraged to do so through phone, the City’s online services, or through email. The public may reach the City by phone at 661/267-5100, through its website at www.cityofpalmdale.org, or email: info@cityofpalmdale.org.
“These are a few ways everyone can limit social interaction and still work together to keep our community safe and healthy while providing the essential services that are needed,” said Murphy.
In addition to using phone or email, residents may also use the City’s online services. Library materials may be renewed and online services such as Homework Help and eLibrary may be accessed at www.cityofpalmdale.org/library. Parking and administrative citations may be paid online at www.cityofpalmdale.org/206/Citations. Business licenses may be paid and renewed online by visiting https://blicense.cityofpalmdale.org/WebRenewals/. Applications for building permits or solar permits are available at https://cityofpalmdale.org/152/Building-Safety.
Some of the initial precautions the City of Palmdale has taken are:
- Beginning Monday, March 16, while remaining open for public use, the Palmdale City Library will suspend programs (such as Storytime) which encourage small group interaction.
- Beginning Monday, March 16, Legacy Commons for Active Seniors will only be open for meals and Census activities.
- All other City programs are still scheduled at this time but please check with https://www.cityofpalmdale.org/coronavirus frequently for an updated list of program suspensions or cancellations.
- Palmdale is coordinating a regional meeting on Friday, March 13, with local agency chief executive officers, directors, board members, and emergency management staff to align the specific measures the agencies are all taking to protect the public.
To ensure that residents are getting accurate information, the City advises residents to consult trusted sources for the latest and most accurate information about coronavirus.
Trusted sites include:
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health — http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
- California Department of Public Health — https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, National) — http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html
- World Health Organization — https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
- City of Palmdale — https://www.cityofpalmdale.org/coronavirus
[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale]
Lancaster taking precautionary steps to monitor, respond to coronavirus
In a press release issued Thursday, Lancaster City officials said there are no confirmed cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Antelope Valley.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris announced that he has deputized two new Deputy Mayors — Dr. Jonathan Truong, MD, an infectious disease specialist, and Dr. Lawrence Stock, MD, an emergency medicine specialist. Both are affiliated with Antelope Valley Hospital.
“Their roles are to provide insight and advice to the City of Lancaster as we work to respond to the needs of our community to keep residents as safe as possible. We will utilize every resource at our disposal to secure the health and safety of our residents,” Parris said in a statement.
To watch video of Parris’ statement, titled “Battling the coronavirus” and to view a list of Lancaster city events that have been canceled for March and April, visit: https://www.cityoflancasterca.org/residents/special-notices-warnings/coronavirus-information
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Unintended Consequences says
Rex is going to help the churches stream their services. That is very nice. Does that apply to all faiths? Jewish? Muslim? Wiccan? Buddhist? Hindu? Pagans?
We all know he’s doing it for votes, but this could backfire.
Alexis says
Unintended: Jewish is not a faith.
Confused says
Alexis: Then what is it? Please explain.
Unintended Consequences says
Point taken Alexis. Judaism is the Jewish faith of the Jewish people. Will Rex help our synagogue stream their services?
JG says
So why do you hang out there? Go home.
Joshua Taylor says
We are led by idiots
Dale says
What a bunch of fearmongering socialist bernie loving douchbags. Wholly shot, I am so glad I dont live in [removed] ca.
Jerry says
So is [removed] glad you don’t live there.
You must be unwelcome everywhere Dale.
Tamar Stanly says
You ever been to Walmart on 47th street at Four in the Morning? Or better yet, stay in one of those hotels up on Palmdale Blvd right next to Division, and the Taco Bell, and the rail road tracks and the Jack N the Box? They’re a lot more grosser skanky, nasty then them things crawling around that area that I’m more scared of then some coronavirus hittunn around here. I aint sayin we shouldn’t be worried about the coronavirus a bad thing, it’s a very bad thing. But round here? Sh.. I’m more afraid of them bed bugs lurking around, the smell of mysterious urine, and nasty a.. little men lurking on the corners, around here. That is what they up in their offices at city hall need to call a state of emergency for around here, not no coronavirus.
Van Dammit says
Those places are Beverly Hills compared to the slums on Sierra Highway in Lancaster and Walmart on Valley Central way. I caught an STD just typing the words hotejs on Sierra Highway in Lancaster.
Alexis says
Too funny! Thank you. So true.
Ivy Epstein says
Listen up, I worked for the city of Palmdale for a bunch of years. First as a part timer, then as a full timer. The people I have worked with were lovely, I don’t doubt that. That said, I did have a couple of shall I say issues with the bureaucracy, including not having social security provided in our pay checks and a lack of a steady work schedule for part timers. Many of the part time workers have had to hold down’ second even third jobs, which can be tiring for anyone. That being said, I question the intentions and morals behind the Palmdale City Council to ask for founds and declaiming a state of emergency when there is no emergency to be had in Palmdale. Are they doing this to gain profit for themselves at the expense of other unfortunate individuals or are they really doing it for the care and concerned of our community? As they (in my opinion showed little to know care and concern for their workers.
Lorrane Beach says
I’ll tell ya what they’re a doin, sounds to me like the city of Palmdale is cuttin corners once again just make it easier on the council members who are only interested in lining their own pockets and doin the absolute minimal amount of work. Why ever try to contact the City Hall after Thursday? Ya can’t! They’re closed until Monday. Now, in the case of the coronavirus where thousands have it, they’re taken advantage of founding once again by asken for what they don’t need and just asken to asken, cause it’ll make their lives easier and less work.
Jennie Rockaway says
I find it absolutely appalling and rash that the Palmdale is taking steps in declaring a state of emergency, when there has not been one coronavirus case within the Antelope Valley area to date. There are other smaller communities and heavily populated cities across the county, state, and country with existing cases by the hundreds and even thousands who are in actual need for declaring such a state. A remote community where the nearest coronavirus victim recorded to date resides 100 miles away in South Los Angeles, is like a well-to-do millionaire applying for welfare. Having been born and raised in Greenwich Village New York, with very close family back East, I rather find it insulting actually, that this community is voluntarily making such a decision , when there are cultural centers including museums and Broadway Theaters back, and libraries shutting down because of something very real and very close. While here, , seems to me that the city of Palmdale is using this as a “just in case” needless opportunity.
JG says
Jennie Rockaway, I’m certain there’s plenty of cases of the corona virus. They’re not testing. I have a fever, really bad cough, feel horrible. My husband had the flu shot and he’s sick too. I tried several times to get help nearby. After the runaround, urgent care acted like I wanted to steal something, questioning me, warning me that there are criteria. She said do you have a fever, yes, do you have a severe cough, yes, have you had visitors from blah blah blah in the last 14 days, yes, do you struggle to breath, I mean really struggle like you can’t breath, okay no. No test. You have to go first to urgent care or your doctor to get a slew of tests to rule everything else out. Once you’ve done that they need to apply for permission to test through the Los Angeles County Health Department. I kid you not. There’s no testing. Just read a headline somewhere about how there’s no cases in Antelope Valley get! Hilarious. They would want me to come to Urgent care and expose all the others waiting the administration, the receptionist, the nurses then go to the hospital and expose everybody there. So I’m home but we will soon see the first deaths and if they ever test we will see the projected 50% of the population testing positive.
mattz says
Great let’s everyone get in a panic and stay home. Instead of living your lives.
Lewis says
I find it personally disgusting to see people hoarding food for this media driven event. Of course it’s prudent to take certain precautions but the spineless people that Panic at the drop of a hat makes me sicker than any virus ever will.
JG says
Mattz, it’s not panic, it’s open eyes and look at the numbers, think, prepare. Fact is that if it runs the way it’s run in China and Italy then we can reckon with 50% of the population testing positive. 20% of them needing medical care and overall 0.7% mortality. That means like 24 million will need one of the 50,000 hospital beds we have in this country. That’s 500 for each bed. We don’t have enough medical supplies and caretakers for this. We would see about one million deaths. It’s not a joke that countries are closing down. It’s very contagious too. I’m certain my husband and I both have it; very bad cough, fever, really miserable. We can’t get tested so we stay home and wait it out. It’s very dangerous for the elderly and for people with other health issues. Assuming you are healthy and strong, I hope you are being careful and considerate because you could be a carrier and not have symptoms.
William says
The virus is in all 50 states. It’s in Montana, for crying out loud. So, if you don’t think it can get to the Antelope Valley, go mingle with others who bought Trump’s lie that it’s a hoax. His words.
We are near Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport where thousands of travelers have entered California and thousands of AV residents commute to the LA Basin.
Think Kevin Bacon and 6 degress of separation. Did Bacon ever work with Tom Hanks?
Robert says
And panic sets in……………….. good grief.
Terry Mint says
I do not, shall not, will not and cannot possibly believe here or there or anywhere within the Palmdale / Lancaster area that which there is any or many reasons for such panic and manic, when there is not yet to be heard or any of word that someone has become stricken, sicken and bed ridden with this terrible disease. A disease if you please has sadly crossed the seas, but has not yet to reach the Antelope Valley.
Maurice says
It’s not preemptive. There are 4 confirmed cases of Coronavirus at PRMC but they are not saying for some reason. Employees at the hospital are getting worried.
Anon says
There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the AV. If and when there are, they will be announced. There is nothing to gain by hiding it.
Stinger says
How can we confirm a case if we are having problems getting tests for it?
William says
Stinger. How dare you bring intelligence to this discussion with people who reality.
That no one has tested positive means nothing. A thousand people can have it for several weeks before they have symptoms and they will infect others in the meantime.
Emma Frank says
Now, why or why would they hide it.
Gaha says
Pretty sure the president was hiding it the whole time knowing it was here but denying It telling sick folks to continue to go to work that this will magically go away
Di says
So Palmdale is in danger
Wisenheimmer says
Not to worry. The wind blows toward Lancaster so Rex will be happy to share what is Palmdale’s.