Coronavirus is affecting the way of life for everyone in Los Angeles. Disruptions in work, travel, and our daily routines have pushed us to rethink about what it means to be a good friend and neighbor. Fortunately, residents all over Los Angeles County are rising to the challenge and standing with their community to protect those who are most vulnerable. The first and most important way you can help is, as you’ve heard, to stay home as much as possible and continue to slow the spread of the virus. Second, if you can, please skip your trip to the grocery store this week (April 6 – 11). During a press conference on Monday afternoon, LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer urged residents to stay home this week if at all possible, foregoing any shopping trips or any needs to leave the house in an effort to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus. “If you have enough supplies in your home, this would be the week to skip shopping all together,” said Ferrer.

Other than that, there are plenty of other ways you can help, whether it’s supporting the California Community Foundation’s Covid-19 LA County Response Fund, giving blood at your local Red Cross, assembling hygiene kits for your local shelter, or simply calling or texting elderly friends, family, and neighbors to make sure they’re okay. If you know any seniors in need of assistance or a meal, LA County has 180 meal sites available for seniors and other services.