Red Cross officials say
more blood donors needed
nBlood banks face severe shortage
By OW Staff
The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types—especially type O and those giving platelets—are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
Right now, the Red Cross is to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.
In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout.
Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling (800) RED CROSS (800) 733-2767, or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Donors who give blood through July 6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat by mail,* while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities through July 15:
Palmdale
July 2—1 to 7 p.m., American Red Cross Antelope Valley Chapter, 2715 E Avenue P
July 6—1 to 7 p.m., American Red Cross Antelope Valley Chapter, 2715 E Avenue P
July 9—1 to 7 p.m., American Red Cross Antelope Valley Chapter, 2715 E Avenue P
July 13—1 to 7 p.m., American Red Cross Antelope Valley Chapter, 2715 E Avenue P
Santa Clarita
July 2—11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Best Buy, 26531 Bouquet Canyon Rd.
July 6—8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Santa Clarita Old West Masonic Lodge, 19310 Avenue of the Oaks
July 7—1 to 7 p.m., Santa Clarita Old West Masonic Lodge, 19310 Avenue of the Oaks
July 10—9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Santa Clarita Old West Masonic Lodge, 19310 Avenue of the Oaks
July 13—8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Santa Clarita Old West Masonic Lodge, 19310 Avenue of the Oaks
July 14—1 to 7 p.m., Santa Clarita Old West Masonic Lodge, 19310 Avenue of the Oaks.
For more information,visit redcross.org.
tags: Red Cross blood donors needed health local
Newsom signs bill extending
state eviction moratorium
nSome relief for embattled renters
By OW Staff
Gov. Gavin Newsom this week signed legislation to extend California’s statewide eviction moratorium through Sept. 30 and clear rent debt for low-income Californians who have experienced COVID-19 related financial hardship.
The state’s announcement follows last week’s actions by the Biden Administration to extend the Federal Eviction Moratorium and the Board of Supervisors to extend Los Angeles County’s Temporary Eviction Moratorium.
California Assembly Bill 832 extends the State’s current eviction moratorium through September 30. The bill ensures that California uses more than $5 billion in federal rental assistance provided by the Biden Administration to help the state’s tenants and small landlords and protect at-risk households from eviction.
The agreement widens rental assistance by enhancing current law. Provisions include increasing reimbursement to 100 percent for both rent that is past due and prospective payments for both tenants and landlords. Additionally, the bill ensures rental assistance dollars stay in California by prioritizing cities and counties with unmet needs and uses the judicial process to verify tenants and landlords have attempted to obtain rental assistance.
“By adopting deliberate, proactive strategies, we have minimized evictions during this once-in-a-century pandemic,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who authored the County’s motion. “Our responsibility now is to phase out this moratorium in a way that ensures we don’t sacrifice our hard-won success keeping families in their homes, while thoughtfully easing rules on property owners and returning to normal.”
The new legislation may ultimately ease some of the financial burden placed on property owners in wake of the pandemic. Language in the bill is reportedly designed to assist both tenants and property owners understand their rights under the updated moratorium.
For more details, call the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ Housing and Tenant Protections team at (833) 223-RENT (7368) or visit rent.lacounty.gov.
tags: eviction moratorium extension local Gov. Gavin Newsom
