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The Latest Messages from the SHWC Team

April 13, 2021

ALERT: April 13th, 2021: Los Angeles County Pauses Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Following FDA and CDC Recommendation. Read the full statement here. We are following any further developments closely and will update the community as needed. 

Starting April 15th, all adults aged 16 years and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine in Los Angeles County. The COVID-19 vaccine is FREE for everyone once eligible. Vaccines can be scheduled at the following sites: L.A. County DPH COVID Vaccine and the state site MyTurn. 

The SHWC is working very closely with the LACDPH to secure an allotment of COVID-19 vaccines to distribute to our Otis College community. We will keep you all informed as to when the COVID-19 vaccine will be available on campus. 

Maintaining at least 6 feet of physical distance, wearing face covering when in public and washing your hands frequently continue to be hallmark behaviors along with getting the vaccine to help control the spread of COVID-19. 

Otis College will continue to follow all direction and guidance from the California Governor’s office and the LA County Department of Public Health. 

Please be well and stay safe.

The SHWC Team 


April 6, 2021

NEW! ORANGE TIER STATUS: As of yesterday, Monday, April 5, Los Angeles County has been declared to be in the Orange Tier on the risk of community disease transmission for COVID-19, which is still considered “Moderate,” but is a move out of the Red, “Substantial” tier. This change means more occupancy and capacity for many business sectors including restaurants, stores, etc. More information about what the Orange Tier means and allows in Los Angeles County can be found here and here (enter Los Angeles in the County field). 

The easing of restrictions by the county has created the opportunity for us to provide expanded access to the campus for students and faculty in the final stretch of the semester. The available capacity of all studios, labs, shops, the Ben Maltz Workplace, the 5th floor of the parking garage, the North Building, 33 circular green spaces at the Commons and Bobrow Green, and the library has been increased by more than double the capacity we’ve been running all year. Safety protocols remain in place: masks at all times, 6-feet social distancing at all times, modifications to HVAC to meet the air quality needs, and sanitizing workspaces and equipment before and after use. More information about these new changes can be found in the Otis Community email that was sent last Thursday, March 18, 2021 or by visiting Otis Forward. 

VACCINES: COVID-19 vaccines continue to be offered to different eligible groups in phases based on Federal, State, and L.A. County Department of Public Health vaccine eligibility guidance and are FREE for everyone once eligible. On April 15, vaccine distribution will open up to all adults age 16 and older. Vaccines can be scheduled at the following sites: L.A. County DPH COVID Vaccine and the state site MyTurn. 

Otis College will continue to follow all direction and guidance from the California Governor’s office and the LA County Department of Public Health. 

Please be well and stay safe.

The SHWC Team 


March 16, 2021

Over the weekend, Los Angeles County had met the threshold to be moved down to a less restrictive tier. LA County is now concerned in the Red tier. Red tier is considered that there continues to be substantial spread of COVID but not widespread as was the case in the purple tier. Moving to this less restrictive tier, means that more businesses and areas can be open. For example, LA County is now open for indoor dining at 25% capacity; movie theaters and amusement parks will also be opened at a reduced capacity. This change is the first step for LA County moving back to a more “normal” state. This change in tiers for LA County does change the landscape for education at Otis College; please stay tuned for further messaging regarding this change.  More information about what the Red Tier means and allows in Los Angeles County can be found here and here

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be offered to different eligible groups in phases based on Federal, State, and L.A. County Department of Public Health vaccine eligibility guidance and are FREE for everyone once eligible. As of March 1st, those who work in the Education sectors are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine.

This Friday, March 19th, LACDPH has reserved an allocation of COVID-19 vaccination doses for the education sector. The county-run Mega-PODS will have vaccine appointments for Institutes of Higher Education staff and faculty this Friday. Appointments will be released this morning, Monday, March 15. Vaccines can be scheduled at the following sites: L.A. County DPH COVID Vaccine and the state site MyTurn. Note, there is no access code needed to sign up for your appointment.

Also Beginning March 15th, vaccinations will be made available to people 16-64 years old who have certain health conditions and disabilities that put them at higher risk for serious COVID-19 illness, or who live and/or work in congregate living spaces. To see if you qualify, please visit this link.

Otis College will continue to follow all direction and guidance from the California Governor’s office and the LA County Department of Public Health.

Please be well and stay safe.

The SHWC Team


March 8, 2021

COVID-19 UPDATE ON VACCINATIONS: Starting March 1st, more vaccine eligibility sectors were opened in Los Angeles to anyone in Tier 1B, including those working in the Education and Childcare sectors. This includes all those staff and faculty who work at Otis College. Please review the Los Angeles County Vaccinations for Education & Childcare information guide regarding eligibility and required documentation for education sector employees. Vaccines can be scheduled at the following sites: L.A. County DPH COVID Vaccine and the state site MyTurn. Review and complete the requirements outlined via the registration portal. You may also be able to schedule an appointment through your healthcare provider.

There are now three COVID-19 vaccines available, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. For more specific information regarding the three vaccines, check out VaxFacts updates and the L.A. County Public Health Coronavirus FAQ-Vaccine guide. The CDC released guidance today, March 8th as more individuals are vaccinated on what precautions need to still occur to keep individuals and others safe. After one has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should keep taking precautions in public places like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces until we know more about the vaccines and its efficacy.

LA County has done amazing regarding lowering the positive cases and hospitalization rate within the county. Our current 7-day testing positivity rate is 2.5% which is a drastic change from where we were in the middle of January. If LA county continues to improve our numbers, we could see the county going from the purple, most restrictive tier, to the red tier, which LA County has never been in.

Otis College will continue to follow all direction and guidance from the California Governor’s office and the LA County Department of Public Health.

Please be well and stay safe.

The SHWC Team


January 26, 2021

Per a released statement by the LA County Department of Public Health, “Yesterday, the Governor rescinded the State’s Regional Stay At Home Order.  As a result, the County of Los Angeles Health Officer reinstated the November 25, County Health Officer Order, which is now on Public Health’s website.  That County Order is effective now, and businesses that reopen must fully implement all applicable protocols and guidance. This Order is issued to account for the recent decline of COVID-29 cases, hospitalizations, and testing positive rates. 

Although some improvements have been seen, the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 remains high. The daily reports of new COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and premature deaths continue to be high and widespread across the County, and the County’s Health Officer is evaluating the current COVID-19 trends and hospital capacity issues.  The County’s Health Officer will issue a revised Health Officer Order and accompanying Public Health protocols on Friday, January 29, 2021.  This revised County Order will mainly align with the State’s sector requirements for counties within the Purple Tier, but the order will contain specific modifications that may be more restrictive.”

Institutions of higher education continue to not be able to resume all in-person academic instruction, at this time. 

This and other pertinent information can be found on the LA County Department of Public Health COVID-19 website.   

Otis College will continue to follow all direction and guidance from the California Governor’s office and the LA County Department of Public Health. 

Please be well and stay safe.

The SHWC Team