The Long Beach City Council unanimously approved the Health and Human Services Department strategic 2021-26 plan, a five-year effort to improve citywide health and its equity issues, during Tuesday’s meeting.

Initiated in December 2016, the health strategic plan needed to be renewed at the end of 2020 in order to outline goals, objectives and strategies in the healthcare field, according to the legislation report.

Throughout the report, city staff discussed the amount of health department staf

The Long Beach City Council unanimously approved the Federal Legislative Agenda, which includes a “Medicare for All” resolution to provide all United States residents with health insurance through an extended program.

On March 11, the Long Beach Federal Legislation Committee approved and forwarded the Medicare item request to go through city council as its policies and grants were supported on the federal agenda, according to city legislation.

Councilwoman Mary Zendejas seconded the “Medicare

The Long Beach City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night on a resolution to condemn xenophobic hate and harassment toward the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hate crimes and acts of racial discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have increased globally and throughout Los Angeles County, including how the coronavirus pandemic has been referred as the “Chinese virus” or “kung flu,” according to city legislation.

Ac

The Long Beach City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to authorize a $5 million loan requested by the Aquarium of the Pacific due to financial hardships being faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Jan. 30, the Aquarium of the Pacific reopened its outdoor exhibits in accordance with public health guidelines. At this time, the aquarium has reduced visitor capacity by requiring guests to schedule their free visiting reservation on its website.

As the pandemic continues to financially affec

The Long Beach City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to create El Mercado de Long Beach, a Latinx cultural district, that will also include essential establishments such as housing and social services for the Latinx community.

The COVID-19 pandemic has economically affected low-income communities of color in the city of Long Beach, as many struggle to pay for necessities such as food, rent and healthcare.

While there is currently no official commercial area in the city representing the

The Long Beach City Council voted 8-0 Tuesday evening to establish a food security plan for communities impacted by the grocery store closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Food insecurity has increased throughout low-income communities because it “is at an all time high right now” and “at the highest levels in generations,” according to Vice Mayor Rex Richardson.

In Jan. 2021, the council approved “Hero Pay”, which required grocery stores to pay their employees an extra $4 per hour because of