Silverlandia | Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz & Atwater Village News

Silverlandia is a community based project aimed to promote exploration and growth for small and local businesses in the four neighborhoods of Silverlandia:
Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz and Atwater Village.

July 9, 2020

Protests vs Businesses: What is Helping the Virus Spread in Los Angeles?

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles continues to rise, people keep wondering what exactly is going on. In fact, a lot of people are pointing fingers at different things that have been going on lately. Many, for example, claim that the reopening of many businesses contributed to the spike in cases. Others insist that this happened because of the ongoing protests. Then, many will say this is because a lot of people have been ignoring social distancing guidelines all along and have been gathering with others. As you can see, there are a lot of alleged culprits. In order to assess the current spread of the virus in Los Angeles, it’s important to look at the data.

Virus Spread in Los Angeles

Although the data regarding Los Angeles protestors is not exactly ideal given limited opportunities for testing, we can look at other cities. Demonstrators in Boston, Seattle, and Minneapolis, for example, were no more likely to test positive than other people. In fact, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, coronavirus rates were no higher in counties were large protests took place than in those without any demonstrations. How does this make sense? Well, most protestors were wearing masks and keeping their distance from each other. Besides, the fact that the protests took place outside definitely helped. If other cities didn’t see an upward spike, why did Los Angeles?

Businesses and Gatherings

While protests did give way to contagion, there is no evidence that they were super-spreader events. The last few weeks, however, saw Los Angeles reopening a lot of non-essential businesses. Small enclosed spaces where people are taking their masks off to eat or drink are much more likely to see a bigger spread of the virus in Los Angeles. In fact, according to the LA Times, “a J.P. Morgan study found that increases in on-site restaurant spending — not takeout — strongly predicted rising COVID-19 rates over the three weeks that followed.” This means that it will be necessary to be prudent with reopening businesses going forward.

July 8, 2020

Dealing with the Extended Stay at Home Orders in California

The longer that these social distancing measures go on, the harder it might be to actually live with it. Isolation, cabin fever, and stagnancy can all weigh down on you, and the state of the world doesn’t help. Since cases continue to rise, particularly after recent developments, it might be time to reaffirm the necessary protections. With the extended stay at home orders in California, it will be important for us to learn to deal with them. This is key, not just because of public health, but for our own mental wellness.

Reasons for Extended Stay at Home Orders

As you’ve probably heard recently, cases of COVID-19 have been on the rise in Los Angeles. This comes after a variety of different industries reopened their businesses recently. This has led to different calls for more pertinent reopening measures. Dine-in restaurants, for example, closed their indoor operations once again. Restaurants have gone back to exclusively offering takeout and delivery options unless they have an outdoor patio. Similarly, more measures are being taken in order to protect people from possible situations for contagion. Due to the increment in cases in Los Angeles Count, extended stay at home orders might be necessary.

How to Deal with This

In order to better continue to deal with the pandemic, it will be necessary to take a few steps back and reflect on the initial stages of quarantine. In order to better deal with the possible extended stay at home orders, finding a healthy balance will be important. We need to interact with people, after all. This is why you can find socially distant ways to see other people that can help you cope with the general isolation. The situation is not easy, but it’s important to keep going so that it doesn’t become worse. When things feel like they are becoming too frustrating, just try to ground yourself on what you can. Order some food, head over to a park, and try to do things that feel normal.

July 7, 2020

Gyms Reopen in Los Angeles: What to Keep in Mind

Gyms were some of the first businesses that had to close down during the pandemic. This makes sense, of course, since they are places with a lot of close contact between people. There isn’t just a lot of proximity to others. There are plenty of surfaces that more than one person touches without necessarily cleaning them up in between. As gyms reopen in Los Angeles, it’s good to keep in mind why the closed in the first place. Here are a few considerations you should take.

Practicing Caution at the Gym

So, as gyms reopen in Los Angeles, it’s important to consider how to proceed. On one hand, you can choose to be cautious and continue to avoid gyms for a few more months. After all, cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles continue to rise. It would be prudent to avoid places with so many shared surfaces such as gyms. Still, if you want to get your workouts done at the gym, it will be important for you to maintain safety guidelines. For example, be sure to wear a mask at all times. Wipe down all equipment before and after using it to make sure it’s clean when you and others touch it. Basically, take all the usual principles of gym etiquette and turn them up.

Gyms Reopening in Los Angeles

The important thing to keep in mind if you head out to the gym during the pandemic is that you need to be careful for your sake and for that of those around you. Assuming that you yourself could be a carrier will be key in practicing caution. Of course, if you want to reduce the risk of possible contagion, you can continue to practice socially distant workouts. If you are not necessarily a fan of working out at home, you can find a park or an open space to exercise at. Jogging with a mask on is always an option as well. In the end, it’s all about finding the best way to operate within the circumstances.

July 6, 2020

Decorate Wild with Jungalow Furniture and Décor Online

We’ve all been spending way too much time at home lately. On the one hand, our pets are probably very happy that they get to be with you a lot more. However, you are probably pretty tired of your apartment. You are likely on the verge of throwing everything out, moving to a new place, and starting from all scratch. Well, while that’s probably not the best option for you right now, you might still be able to redecorate. You might as well use your time at home for something, right? And what better way to bring some color and energy into your home than with Jungalow’s furniture and décor online?

Jungalow

What started as Justina Blakeney’s design blog in 2009 has since grown into a self-described “lifestyle brand and the go-to source for jungalicious design goods and inspiration”. The Jungalow collections include a wide variety of items designed in their Los Angeles studio, as well as goods gathered all across the world. Their creatively colorful furniture and décor items are sure to bring good vibes into your home. This is thanks to their focus on design, harmony, and creativity, which continues to create unique items and valuable additions to any room. Just take a look at their online catalog! Every piece is so beautiful that you will have a hard time narrowing down your choices to just a few.

Buy Furniture and Décor Online

Are you wondering if you’ll even be able to go to the Jungalow showroom? Don’t worry, it’s all online! You can head over to the Jungalow website and take a look at everything it is that they have to offer. Whether you are looking to get some furniture, bedding, pillows, and décor online, among plenty of other home fixtures, you’ll be able to find them on their online catalog. If something catches your eye, you can order it online and have it conveniently delivered to your home. You have no idea what wonders are waiting for you.

July 3, 2020

Enjoy Obet & Del’s Coffee in Los Feliz, Even at a Distance

With an interior full of natural lighting, a nostalgic seventies aesthetic, and classic exposed brick make Obet & Del’s Coffee a wonderfully unique spot. Located near the western end of Hollywood Boulevard, this little coffee shop has earned an audience for its comfortable environment and inviting atmosphere. They’ve even hosted a variety of events aimed at bringing together their community. Of course, that hasn’t exactly been the case for the last few months. Soon we’ll all be able to gather together at our favorite coffee shops and share a good time. In the meantime, however, you are invited to swing by Obet and Del’s for some coffee in Los Feliz.

Obet & Del’s

Obet & Del’s is a very recent addition to the Los Feliz area. The coffee shop was conceived as a place where everyone, locals and new arrivals, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community, could feel welcome. And upon opening this January, they quickly delivered on their promise. The colorful locale has provided plenty of people with an inviting and exciting spot for their daily coffee. Just head over to their Instagram account @obetanddels and take a look at all of the wonderful people and groups they hosted across their first few months. Even though that’s not necessarily a possibility right now, you can still enjoy most of what they have to offer.

Great Coffee in Los Feliz

Sure, you can’t exactly head over to a nice little coffee shop to enjoy some coffee while writing or reading. Sadly, we have to wait a few more months before you get to do so. However, that’s not to say you can’t still enjoy the coffee. Their extensive menu of coffee and tea drinks is still available for pickup through ToastTab. Head over to their profile there to pick up some coffee in Los Feliz. Open from 7 am to 2 pm every day (save for Friday), Obet & Del’s is a wonderful spot for you to get a good cup of coffee. You can also check other Black-owned coffee shops here.