BH Courier E-edition 032720

Page 1

VOL . LVI NO. 13

MARCH 27, 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

Beverly Hills Take-Out and Delivery: New Additions 5

THE NEWSPAPER OF RECORD FOR BEVERLY HILLS

BHCOURIER .COM

Beverly Hills Adapts to New Reality of COVID-19 Pandemic BY L AUR A COLEMAN

Beverly Hills Market Carries On During the Crisis 8

REGISTER TO RECEIVE

With a reported 1,216 cases of COVID-19 in L.A. County as of March 26, including 13 in Beverly Hills, and an anticipated peak date still weeks away, experts predict the outbreak will continue to grow exponentially across the nation before beginning to taper off. Worldwide, over 23,700 people – 1,200 in the United States – have died as a result of the pandemic.

“It’s critical that everyone practices social distancing,” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “The actions you take today to stay six feet away from others and limit all nonessential activities outside your home are the best way for us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.” Beverly Hills’ tight-knit community of 35,000 residents will spend the coming

months weathering a new reality unlike anything over the past 100 years. Last week the City ordered the closure of all non-essential retail stores to the public, with the exception of drug stores, pharmacies, grocery stores and restaurants for delivery or take-out. Like all streets throughout the business triangle, Rodeo Drive is now mostly devoid of pedestrian traffic, all pricey retail stores closed until further notice. Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli told the Courier that the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) has a solid plan in place to continue protecting the community, while also preparing for the unknowns of the future. BHPD is also actively working with the business community to make sure businesses follow best practices in crime prevention, such as removing items from shop windows. “Our priority is safety in the community. And we vet through all the intelligence and plan for any potential threats. From an overall safety perspective, we feel that primarily the priority is for citizens to remain at home to reduce the spread of the virus,” she said. For Beverly Hills residents, many of whom are above the age at which people are strongly advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to observe at-risk protocol and self-isolate, ensuring good health has never been more critical. (New Reality continues on page 9)

Beverly Hills Police practice social distancing in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Lt. Andrew Myers

IMPORTANT NEWS AND HEADLINES BY EMAILING NEWSALERTS@BHCOURIER.COM News 4 The Scene 6 Community 8

Chamber of Commerce Taking Anxiety, Relief Proactive Steps to Support Local and a COVID-19 Business Test: A Courier Staffer’s Story BY ANA FIGUEROA

Fun & Games 10 Classifieds 13

THE WEATHER, BEVERLY HILLS

Friday

64° | 48°

Saturday

66° | 50°

Sunday

66° | 50°

Monday

72° | 54°

Tuesday

76° | 56°

Wednesday

77° | 58°

Thursday

73° | 57°

SINCE 1965

Rodeo Drive storefronts Photo by Bianca Heyward The sight of world-famous streets virtually abandoned, shops boarded up and storefronts sitting empty in Beverly Hills seemed unimaginable only a short time ago. But now, it is the new reality the City faces as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses across the City are completely shut down or functioning at reduced capacity. But the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce is operating at full speed, albeit with staff working remotely. The Chamber’s President and CEO Todd Johnson is wasting no time in seeking relief for the business community. On March 21, Johnson sent a letter to Beverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch, as well as to the members of the City Council. The letter requested a broad-ranging list of forbearances for local businesses, in light of present circumstances. Johnson wrote:“We have numerous reports of layoffs and businesses that are down to zero revenue." (Chamber continues on page 10)

BY BIANCA HEY WARD

Bianca Heyward is the newest member of the Beverly Hills Courier’s editorial staff. The Beverly Hills native recently earned a graduate degree from the prestigious Columbia School of Journalism. In the past few months, her pieces on the City Council race, local crime statistics and the Log Cabin in West Hollywood have appeared on the Courier’s front page. At 27, Heyward is also the youngest member of the Courier team. Earlier this month, she learned of possible exposure to the COVID-19 virus. This is her account of the experience. On Thursday, March 12, I walked into the Cedars-Sinai urgent care in Beverly Hills. (Staffer's Story continues on page 9)

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