• No sewing needed to make these homemade masks from fabric, t-shirts or bandanas. Instructions in English ^[1] or Spanish ^[2].
• Have a sewing machine? Watch this Kaiser Permanente easy video tutorial ^[3].

In a short video, Felicia Wong, MD, a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente Irvine Medical Center, shares helpful advice for supporting older adults. These simple ideas can help ease concerns and raise the spirits of older loved ones, neighbors, and acquaintances. Watch the video ^[4].

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We’re proud to partner with Goodwill Southern California to provide more PPE for doctors, nurses and frontline employees throughout Southern California. Goodwill’s Assembly & Fulfillment team is making 300,000 face shields, a win-win project that will help fund the employment services that Goodwill provides and keep their team working during this challenging time.

Recent studies have shown that the novel coronavirus can spread between people in close proximity—for example, through speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently recommended wearing cloth face coverings in public settings, especially when social distancing is difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) and in areas of significant community-based transmission. Get info about making fabric coverings using t-shirts, bandanas, and other materials here ^[1], or watch this video ^[3].

• Hotel Discounts: Starting April 10, frontline health care workers who are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19 can find hotel rooms through the CalTravelStore. Rooms are provided at a discounted rate. Click here for information. ^[6]
• Marriott Discounts: Participating Marriott hotels are offering discounts for caregivers and support staff through June 30. Book directly through Marriott ^[7] using your personal credit card. Enter the promo code “QWO” under the “Special Rates” section (I.D. required at check-in). Additional details are available on KP’s National Travel Services site ^[8]. Note: employees will not be reimbursed for hotel costs.
• More Discounts: The AHA has compiled a long list of Discounts for First Responders and Health Care Workers ^[9]. Besides hotels, look for deals on cappuccinos, scrubs, and even gas.

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The coronavirus pandemic is the largest health challenge ever faced by Kaiser Permanente. But we are confident we can overcome it because of our people; their commitment to improving the health of our members and the communities we serve; and the “flattening the curve” measures we have all been taking. In the coming days and weeks, we expect a medical surge to begin: a significantly increased volume of patients that challenges or exceeds a hospital system’s normal capacity. Thousands of our dedicated people have been working diligently to plan for the surge, and we are now implementing those plans. Ed Ellison, MD, executive medical director, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, and Julie Miller-Phipps, president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Health Plan and Hospitals discuss these plans in this brief video update ^[11].

To alleviate costs and stress to impacted members, Kaiser Permanente will eliminate member out-of-pocket costs for inpatient and outpatient COVID-19 treatment services. “We want our members who need treatment for COVID-19 to be able to focus all their energy on getting well, not on worrying about how to pay for treatment,” said Greg Adams, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente. Read more. ^[12]

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Some hopeful indicators point to “yes,” as this report ^[14] suggests. California’s aggressive stay-at-home orders and other factors may be flattening the curve of confirmed COVID-19 cases. This means we need to keep it up, and be vigilant in our preventive measures, like staying home, frequent hand washing, and – if we must go out – wearing a cloth face covering and practicing social distancing.

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Every cloud…well, you know. Here are some upsides to the coronavirus pandemic:

• Families and roommates are finding new joy in old forms of fun. Jigsaw puzzles, Pictionary, board games and Charades are making a comeback.
• Have you noticed? Kindness and gratitude are everywhere. Let’s make this part of our new normal.
• Online dating is way up, thanks to so many people staying at home. But online scams are up too. Let the bachelor(ette) beware. Swipe here to learn more ^[16].
• Baking homemade bread is trendy. So much so that many grocery stores are sold out of yeast and flour. Try these workarounds ^[17] if you want to give bread baking a go. Just watch those carbs…
• Chicken wings are cheaper! Fewer pro sports events means fewer wings consumed. Lower demand = a surplus of wings = lower cost ^[18]. Get ‘em while they’re hot.
• More time for Panda Cams, Hippo Cams, All the Cams. Check out these animal live streams ^[19] from zoos around the world. After work 😊.

General Motors, Ford, and Tesla are among a group of auto manufacturers who are reconfiguring themselves to build life-saving ventilators in response to the coronavirus pandemic. See how one company, Tesla, is building its ventilators ^[20] with parts for its vehicles.

The Getty Museum challenged quarantined people to recreate famous works of art using things found around the house. Browse the sometimes hilarious results on their Instagram ^[21], or on the site that inspired it ^[22]. Are you up to the challenge?

CNET reports ^[23] that slowdowns in manufacturing and traffic are reducing pollution in some cities. China’s lockdown led to a 25 percent decrease in CO2 emissions compared with the same period in 2019. Satellite imagery shows startling reductions in air pollution ^[24] over countries where traffic has been limited. Something to think about…

What they do, why COVID-19 patients need them, and why it’s difficult to solve the shortage. Learn more about this complex but vital device here ^[25].

Here’s a straightforward explanation of the “Flattening the Curve” concept (made before we enacted the social distancing and stay-at-home actions so crucial to successfully flattening the curve). Watch the video ^[26].

Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced the formation of “L.A. Protects,” a new partnership to organize Los Angeles’ fashion and garment industry to make protective gear and other medical supplies for frontline workers. The initial target for the initiative is the manufacturing of 5 million non-medical masks for people who need protection – grocery store workers, non-medical staff in hospitals, and others providing essential services during the COVID-19 crisis.

Kaiser Permanente is a partner in L.A. Protects, having provided the specifications for a non-medical mask that is being open-sourced to the public.

“The number-one mission right now is saving lives,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Our manufacturing sector is unmatched anywhere, and the ingenuity of working people will help us get through this emergency. L.A. Protects will save people – and save jobs.”

L.A. Protects could help businesses that might otherwise have to close and furlough staff, by connecting them with opportunities to provide an essential service. L.A. Protects will match approved manufacturing companies with essential industries in need of masks – including the health care industry, grocers, take-out restaurants, delivery services, as well as food and beverage manufacturers.