EL SEGUNDO HERALD May 7, 2020 Page 3
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More Prevention ll
To continue on a related topic: Before the
current crisis, we were familiar with bicycles
and skate-boards blasting down the busy
Main Street sidewalks beneath the permanent
signs prohibiting their activity. That practice
continues, with less danger of collision with
a pedestrian who steps sideways but with the
likelihood of sudden unexpected contact in
violation of social distance practice. While I
have lived most of my life in El Segundo I
have never seen or heard of any enforcement
of the posted ordinance.
In more residential parts of town, children
are still seen, apparently with their parents’
encouragement, speeding their small bikes
down the sidewalks where they cannot avoid
encountering pedestrians. The youngsters,
we are told, may be the most likely to carry
the virus unknowingly, of course without
any malicious intent of their own. Folks,
I love your kids, but I don’t love them to
(my) death. With the death toll now at over
60,000 Americans, I recommend that the city
enforce its existing laws, and that bicycle
traffic should be kept off the sidewalks.
Yes, it means punishing all because of the
irresponsible behavior of some, but that’s
hardly a new concept.
– Edward Ryan •
Letters
Your Neighborhood Therapist
Dear Neighborhood Therapist,
I have been retired for ten years and I live
alone, and it has been wonderful until now. I
have a lot of friends. I have two wonderful
children and three grandchildren. Physically,
I am fine, but I don’t want to risk my health
or that of others. I did not expect loneliness
to be quite like this. I have never been shy,
but now I feel like I’m bothering my friends
and my children. They are trying, but they
are busy working from home and teaching
their own kids. I have tried reading to my
grandchildren, and teaching them, but one can
only Zoom so much before they lose interest.
I can talk to my friends, but we run out of
things to say. I have always seemed to find
plenty to do, but I feel like there is nothing
right now in life other than to wait. This is
so frustrating, but I don’t think it’s healthy
to keep thinking about this so much, right?
Monday, April 27th
One male adult was detained at 0735 hours
from the 700 block of North Nash Street and
transported to Harbor General Hospital for
a 72 hour psychiatric evaluation
A burglary (commercial) report was taken
at 0831 hours from the 100 block of North
Pacific Coast Highway. The suspect entered
the facility and stole the victim’s keys.
A grand theft auto report was taken at 0816
hours from the 300 block of West Mariposa
Avenue. Taken was a 2010 Chrysler van
An attempt burglary (auto) report was taken
at 1202 hours the 300 block of East Grand
Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) attempted to
break into the victim’s vehicle
A burglary report was taken at 1211
hours from the 1900 block of Hughes Way.
Unknown suspect(s) broke into the victim’s
storage unit and stole his property
An online grand theft report was taken at
0900 hours from the 2000 block of East El
Segundo Boulevard. Unknown suspect(s)
stole the victim’s laptop computer.
A found property report was taken at 1606
hours from the 1900 block of East Grand
Avenue. A gun was found and booked for
safekeeping.
A grand theft auto report was taken at 1840
hours from the 300 block of East Mariposa
Avenue. Taken was a 1997 Nissan Maxima.
One female adult was arrested at 2150
hours from the LBPD for one outstanding
ESPD misdemeanor warrant.
A petty theft report was taken at 0426
hours from the 700 block of California Street.
The suspect stole three packages from the
victim’s porch.
Tuesday, April 28th
A misdemeanor hit and run report was
taken at 0948 hours from the 100 block of
- Lonely and Waiting
Dear Lonely and Waiting,
The standard therapist-y thing to do here
would be a slow nod, perhaps take a sip of
tea or a puff of a pipe, and say, “Mmmhmm,
yes. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. Many
people in your position might feel the same
way. This is totally normal in this situation.
How does it make you feel to know that you
are normal in this regard?”
While well-intentioned, that’s really just another
way of saying, “You’re actually not special,
your experience is not unique, and in fact you
do not handle this as well as most other people.”
Then you’ll get some techniques intended to
help you trick your brain into thinking about
something peaceful like a warm breeze or ripples
on a lake. As if your brain is somehow doing
something wrong. As if the rest of the world
is just fine right now. As if the therapist were
arbiter of what feelings are healthy or not.
Of course, you might be able to stop thinking
about things you don’t want to. But the
minute you let up, it’s back to a reality that
- if I may paraphrase your letter - stinks. So
when reality stinks, are the only options either
loneliness or tricking yourself into not feeling?
Of course not. What about anger? What about
frustration? None of these feelings are going to
solve the problem, but neither will happiness,
positive thinking or sunshine. If anger, or fear,
or cynicism feels right and gets you through
the day, then go for it. For you and your loved
ones right now, whatever is “healthiest” is
whatever hurts least.
If you need help, or have the ability to help
others, please reach out and I will coordinate.
If you or someone you know needs to talk to
someone, please reach out and I will take
as many people as I can during this crisis,
regardless of ability to pay.
Please write to tom@tomandrecounseling.
com or text to 310.776.5299 with questions
about handling what is affecting your life,
your family, the community or the world. Tom
Andre is an Associate Marriage & Family
Therapist (AMFT96089) supervised by Chris
Thomas (MFT78020). The information in this
column is for educational purposes only and
nothing herein should be construed as professional
advice or the formation of a therapeutic
relationship. •
Police Reports
Town Hall: City Awaits the
Signal So Recovery Can Begin
By Rob McCarthy
El Segundo officials say they’ll be ready
when Los Angeles County’s health officer in
charge of the coronavirus response gives the
signal to resume some business and public
activities. The city remains under a stay-athome
order until May 15, and Fire Chief Bill
Donovan revealed department heads have
begun drawing up plans on how to reopen
after two months of closures of businesses,
restaurants, bars and public events.
Fire Chief Bill Donovan discussed the
development during a COVID-19 town hall
public meeting on April 30, which was
broadcast live on El Segundo TV. With the
county’s stay-at-home order ending next
week, city management has shifted from
an emergency response to the next phase of
recovery for businesses and residents alike.
Once the county’s order is lifted or modified,
department heads should have recovery
plans to guide the reopening of workplaces,
parks, retailers and the hospitality industry.
El Segundo’s number of confirmed cases
held steady at 27 over eight days, ending on
Sunday. Del Aire had eight confirmed cases
this week, the same number as Wiseburn.
Donovan said wider testing to account for
people carrying the virus but not showing
any symptoms was important to the recovery
and keeping businesses, workplaces and
public spaces from having to close again for
a second wave of the virus. Health officials
expect cases to start increasing again later
in the year, or a second wave.
Information about free local testing is
available on the El Segundo city web site.
A second test for antibodies to determine
if someone contracted the virus and has
immunity is available, too. Still, residents
must call their health care provider or the
county health care system, according to
Donovan. Testing is going to be essential
to provide local and state governments with
data about the number of actual cases that
have occurred. Between 60 and 70 percent
of the population must develop a resistance
to this coronavirus for “herd immunity” to
take place. People who contract the virus or
are vaccinated against it develop a defense
against becoming a carrier of the coronavirus.
The fire chief offered a few tips for wearing
and removing cloth face coverings after
going out in public. Wash hands and use
sanitizer before placing a mask or cloth face
covering on the face, or taking it off. Wash
face coverings once a day, if possible, in hot
water and using a hot cycle in the dryer. The
person wearing a surgical mask or bandana
over the nose and mouth won’t spread the
virus to others through coughing, sneezing
or loud talking, Donovan explained.
Councilman Lance Giroux, who took office
in the middle of the pandemic, said he looks
forward to El Segundo “making the pivot
from response to recovery to reopening of
the city and the economy.” Downtown business
owners will have a chance to learn more
about the city’s plans for them at a town hall
virtual session at 3 p.m. May 6. Giroux and
Mayor Pro Tem Chris Pimentel participated
in the virtual question-and-answer session to
clarify the city’s obligations to follow state
and county guidelines, including the use of
El Segundo’s beach. The county has the
authority over access and recreational uses
of the beach, Pimentel explained in response
to a question about the continued closure
of the sand and ocean for recreational use.
“We fall under the county’s jurisdiction,”
and the city going to follow the orders, Pimentel
said. The city’s Parks and Recreation
Department is deciding about the hometown
Fourth of July festivities at the park, the mayor
pro tem said. No decision has made about
whether the traditional hometown Fourth
and fireworks show will be held. Pimentel
pointed out that the county’s stay-at-home
order expires on May 15, creating a small
window for the city to make plans to go
ahead with the celebration. “It’ll be close,”
Pimentel said, adding, “we’re never happy to
cancel things the community values.”
The Lakes Golf Course remains closed
because it’s considered a non-essential
activity by the county, too. Pimentel took
a question about a possible reopening date
for the golf course and driving range and
said the decision is more complicated than
reopening parks and ballfields. El Segundo
has a long-term contract with TopGolf to
improve and manage The Lakes property.
It’s unknown when the county will relax
restrictions on the golf course. Information
about golf course closures is available at the
L.A. County parks website.
Giroux, who began his four-term year in
April and had two weeks on the job, said
as a parent of a water polo player, he also
wondered when the El Segundo Aquatics
Center could reopen. Like the local beaches,
the county order is keeping the pool closed
and halts all polo practices and swim sessions.
With no hint of what the county may
do on May 15, Giroux said that he hopes
the reopening of El Segundo’s public pool
comes soon.
Police Chief Bill Whalen said that reports
about so-called coronavirus parties are reaching
the police department and that it’s reckless
behavior that will bring a knock on the door
from El Segundo officers. The same applies to
the rules against playing in playgrounds and
invading public property that’s been locked
and posted with no trespassing signs. “We
need people to adhere to the rules,” Whalen
said, adding “pay attention to closure signs.”
Parties, except those involving family or
roommates who live together, are not allowed
for the time being.
“If we find out about it on social media,
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See Town Hall, page 5
See Police Reports, page 4