Friday, July 23, 2021 – UCLA CBAM in collaboration with California Community Foundation (CCF) hosted a COVID-19 Community Summit entitled “Is the Pandemic Over?: What You Need to Know about COVID-19, the Variants and Vaccines” to share the latest information about COVID-19, the variants, and available vaccines for adults and children in South Los Angeles. Moderated by passionate COVID-19 Project Lead Dilara Üsküp, PhD, PhD, the Community Summit reached over 100 South Los Angeles community members, essential workers, and others interested in learning more about COVID-19.
An expert panel of speakers were featured at the event, including:
- Cheryl Branch, MS Executive Director, Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches Managing Partner, CRSSLA
- Eloisa Gonzalez, MD, MPH – Director, Cardiovascular and School Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
- Nonye Okonkwo, MD, MS – Deputy, Clinical – Operations, COVID-19 Vaccine Program, Kedren Community Health Center
- Frances Pang, MD – Pediatrician, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group
- Jesse Clark, MD – Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
During the panel discussion, South Los Angeles community members were encouraged to share their questions and concerns about COVID-19 with our expert panelists. Panelists offered insight on such questions as:
- Is the pandemic over?
- What is the state of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County?
- What do we need to know about COVID-19 vaccines and variants?
- What vaccination information is needed for adults and children?
- How can Los Angeles County engage in community outreach?
Please see a recording of the COVID-19 Community Summit below. If you have any questions, please contact Project Coordinator Damilola Jolayemi, MSc, at ojolayemi@mednet.ucla.edu.
Event Recording:
Additional Material:
PowerPoint: Is the Pandemic Over? - Slides
Evaluation: Please take a moment to quickly complete this brief conference evaluation. The information will help us plan future programs and processes.
Focus group: We are currently conducting focus groups to gather views and opinions about the COVID-19 vaccines.
Recruitment is ongoing for community members and clinical providers within South Los Angeles, preferably unaffiliated community members (e.g. teachers, construction workers, essential workers in grocery stores, department stores, gas stations, restaurants and more).
Please share the attached flyer. Interested participants can complete the interest form at https://forms.gle/do92C2dvz8webziu5 and the study team will contact them.
Flyer: Is the Pandemic Over? - Flyer
Resource Guide for Download: COVID-19 Community Resource Guide
Additional Resources:
- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has developed proactive guidance to help address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerns with respect to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/there-hvac-guidance-building-and-maintenance-professionals-can-follow-help-protect-covid
- http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/docs/vaccine/FAQ-Vaccine_ParentsGuardians.pdf
- Contact OSHA to report emergencies, unsafe working conditions, safety and health violations, to file a complaint, or to ask safety and health questions.
https://www.osha.gov/contactus - How to Get Vaccinated Residents with disabilities or without computer access can call 833-540-0473 between 8:00 am and 8:30 pm 7 days a week for assistance with appointments. http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/vaccine/index.htm
- Find a Pfizer vaccine provider at: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/hcwsignup/
- Check out these pop up clinics that are at free community events at parks through the summer – evenings and weekends (walk-ins available). These sites are included in the search option on the “how to get vaccinated” webpage included above. More info here: (https://parks.lacounty.gov/pad/)
- Visit www.vaccinerydes.com for vaccine education videos you can share with your clients, family and friends.
- Visit our website for updates weekly on Testing Sites and Vax Sites. www.crssla.org