Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, January 6, 2024

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Mountain View News Saturday, January 6, 2024 


As Residents Return to School 
and Work After Holidays, Public 
Health Encourages Testing to 
Reduce COVID-19 Transmission

With higher COVID-19 transmission levels in Los Angeles County – along with 
other respiratory viruses – and many residents returning to school and work after 
the holidays, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) 
is encouraging residents to test if they have COVID-19 symptoms to prevent the 
spread of COVID-19.

Free at-home COVID-19 tests remain readily available throughout Los Angeles 
County at libraries, from many community-based organizations, food banks and 
senior centers, through the federal government by mail and at retail pharmacies 
with a California health insurance plan. Most at-home tests can be safely used 
past the expiration date on the box. For more information on how to check home 
test expiration dates and how to get free COVID-19 tests, visit ph.lacounty.gov/
COVIDtests.

People who test positive for COVID-19, especially those with underlying risk factors, 
should talk to a health care provider right away about COVID-19 medications. 
Taking an oral antiviral, such as Paxlovid, can prevent people from becoming very 
sick, help them feel better sooner and lower their risks of developing Long COVID. 
Treatment should begin within five days of testing positive or developing symptoms 
of COVID-19. Medications are widely available by prescription at retail pharmacies 
and Public Health locations throughout Los Angeles County. For a telehealth 
appointment or help getting a prescription for COVID-19 medication, residents are 
urged to contact the Public Health InfoLine at 1-833-540-0473. It’s open seven days 
a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

People with respiratory illness symptoms who test negative for COVID-19 should 
consider masking indoors around others to avoid spreading another respiratory 
infection, such as flu or RSV. If symptoms continue, re-testing 48 hours later 
for COVID is recommended. People who are at high risk of severe illness from 
respiratory viruses who have tested negative for COVID-19 should talk to their health 
care provider about getting tested and treated for influenza. Antiviral treatments 
for influenza are most effective when started early in the course of illness. As with 
all illness, people with trouble breathing, worsening or unusual symptoms or with 
chronic health conditions should speak with a health care provider.

Los Angeles County’s COVID-19 Hospital Ad-mission Level, as defined by the U.S. 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last week reached Medium 
Level. Based on the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order posted on December 
27, 2023, when the COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level in Los Angeles County 
meets or exceeds the CDC’s Medium Level, all healthcare personnel, regardless 
of COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status, in Licensed Healthcare Facilities 
that provide Inpatient Care are required to mask while in contact with pa-tients or 
working in patient-care areas. In addition, all persons visiting a Licensed Healthcare 
Facility that provides Inpatient Care are re-quired to mask when around patients 
and while in patient-care areas. Licensed Healthcare Facilities that provide Inpatient 
Care are defined as:

· General Acute Care Hospitals

· Skilled Nursing Facilities (including Subacute Facilities)

· Intermediate Care Facilities

· Congregate Living Health Facilities

· Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals

· Acute Psychiatric Hospitals

· Hospice Facilities

Masking in these facilities will remain in effect until the COVID-19 Hospital 
Admission Level in Los Angeles County is below the CDC’s Medium Level for at least 
14 consecutive days. As of data posted by CDC last Friday, the hospital admission 
rate for Los Angeles County is 10.5 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 
people for data through Dec. 23.

Public Health is reporting an average of 542 cases per day, which is a slight decline 
from the 621 cases per day reported last week. However, there was a lower number 
of reportable tests conducted for the most recent week, like-ly influenced by the 
holidays. Case counts are also an undercount due to the large number of home test 
results that are not reported.

In Los Angeles County, the average number of COVID-positive hospitalized patients 
per day increased to 783 from 690 the previous week.

One of the best ways to lower the risk of get-ting very sick from COVID-19 is by 
getting the updated vaccine that became available in September 2023. At least one 
dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for every-one six months 
and older. The new vaccine is formulated to provide protection against cur-rently 
circulating COVID-19 strains and in-crease immunity from prior vaccination or in-
fection that may have decreased over time. Find a vaccination site at myturn.ca.gov.

We all know restaurant locations throughout Sierra Madre and Pasadena that seem to turn over 
every fall. I have heard the word “cursed” used for several locations many times. For instance, 
the location on the corner of San Gabriel and Colorado seems to be one that is cursed for sure – it 
started as the Vault, then it became Rio Rio, then Ta Vu, and then a sushi joint (which I actually 
loved because the prices were right). Now I understand it is now Kabuki, a well-established 
sushi chain with a location in Old Pasade-na. Well, I love sushi so let’s see what happens. For 
another “cursed” location, remember Jerry’s Fa-mous Deli in Old Pasadena? Let’s name all the 
restaurants that went through that location: Union Cattle Company, Pasadena Brewing, Brix, 
Haven Gastro Pub… and it started as a gym!

When interviewing existing owners, they often point the fingers at the landlords saying the rents 
are too high. The excitement and the confidence of “I’ll do it better” might be too strong of a lure 
for restaura-teurs to handle. I was bewildered that El Chollo moved from Fair Oaks (Old John 
Bull) to the Paseo. As the building sat empty for a few years, I thought isn’t some rent better than 
no rent at all? Celebrity Chef Rocco said on his TV show that the mortality rate for restaurants 
is 90% the first year. My father said he’d rather have open heart surgery than own a restaurant.

 

Let’s look at this fact: the survival rate is higher than 10%, and these numbers are not specific 
to our ar-ea. Several years ago, researchers at Cornell University and Michigan State University 
conducted a study of restaurants in three local markets over a 10-year period. They concluded 
the following: after the first year, 27% of restaurant startups failed; after three years, 50% of those 
restaurants were no longer in business; and after five years 60% had gone south. At the end of 
10 years, 70% of the restaurants that had opened for business a decade before had failed. Those 
are far different numbers than the 90% first-year failure rate quoted by our television star chef. 
Another academic research study concluded that 81.4% of all small business failures result from 
forces within the control of the owners/managers. The bottom line is that even if the failure rate 
is a little daunting, failure is not inevitable.

 

Join me on my award winning podcast. Simply search Peter Dills

Writers Note: Il Fornaio has closed as well as Kabuki in Old Pasadena. Panda Inn has temporarily 
closed and The Derby in Arcadia has plans to renovate.


ALL THINGS By Jeff Brown

Health Advantage of Eating Vegetarian

Eating a vegetarian diet can offer several health advantages. Keep in mind that individual responses 
to different diets vary, and it's essential to ensure proper nutrition. Here are some potential 
health benefits associated with a vegetarian diet: 

 Heart Health: Vegetarian diets are often associated with lower levels of saturated fats and 
cholesterol, leading to a reduced risk of heart disease.

 Weight Management: A well-balanced vegetarian diet may contribute to weight management, 
as it tends to be lower in calories and saturated fats while being rich in fiber and nutrients.

 Blood Pressure Control: Plant-based diets, especially those rich in fruits and vegetables, may 
help lower blood pressure due to their potassium and magnesium content.

 Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Some studies suggest that a vegetarian diet may reduce the 
risk of developing type 2 diabetes, possibly due to improved insulin sensitivity and lower body 
weight.

 Cancer Prevention: Certain plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, 
contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that may help protect against certain types of cancer.

 Digestive Health: A vegetarian diet, especially one high in iber from fruits, vegetables, and 
whole grains, can promote digestive health and regular bowel movements.

 Lower Risk of Chronic Diseases: Vegetarian diets have been linked to a lower risk of various 
chronic diseases, including certain types of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension.

 Improved Longevity: Some studies suggest that a vegetarian lifestyle may be associated with 
increased life expectancy.

 Environmental Sustainability: While not a direct health enefit, choosing a vegetarian diet is 
often considered more environmentally sustainable and may contribute to reducing the world’

carbon footprint.

It's important to note that while a vegetarian diet can provide numerous health benefits, it's crucial 
to plan it well to ensure you get all the essential nutrients, including protein, iron, calcium,

vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. 

Consulting with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian can help create a balanced

vegetarian meal plan tailored to individual needs and preferences.

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