Category Archives: Public Health

A Personal Testimony About Why Mental Health Awareness is Crucial

A graphic illustrating the complexity of mental illness/iStock

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. It was first recognized as such in 1949 when it was introduced by the National Association for Mental Health (now known as Mental Health America). The purpose of this month-long campaign is to raise awareness of, educate, and get people talking about mental illness and wellness. This all points to the end goal of helping mentally ill people and their families get to a place in life that is calm, productive, and secure.

Read my story and more on NewsBreak…

Every Adult in Texas Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Beginning March 29

The State of Texas is opening up the coronavirus vaccine to all adults before the end of March, officials just announced.

All adults will be eligible to get the vaccine starting next Monday — that’s March 29th.

Some age groups will still be prioritized, however.

“DSHS has directed vaccine providers to prioritize people 80 years old or older when scheduling appointments and accommodate anyone in that age group who presents for vaccination, whether or not they have an appointment, by immediately moving them to the front of the line. “

Get more details in the state’s official release below and check back for updates.

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DSHS directs providers to continue to prioritize older adults

All adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas beginning Monday, March 29. The Texas Department of State Health Services expects vaccine supplies to increase next week, and providers in multiple parts of the state have made great strides in vaccinating people in the current priority groups. The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations to protect as many Texans as possible.

“We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases,” said Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and the chair of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel. “As eligibility opens up, we are asking providers to continue to prioritize people who are the most at risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death – such as older adults.”

DSHS has directed vaccine providers to prioritize people 80 years old or older when scheduling appointments and accommodate anyone in that age group who presents for vaccination, whether or not they have an appointment, by immediately moving them to the front of the line. That will ensure vaccination of anyone 80 or older with as small a burden on themselves as possible.

Also next week, DSHS will launch a website to allow people to register for a shot through some public health providers. The public will be able to enroll in the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler to identify upcoming vaccine clinics hosted by DSHS or a participating local health department and be notified when new clinics and appointments become available. People can continue to find additional providers though the DSHS Vaccine Information page at dshs.texas.gov/covidvaccine. 

Online registration will be the best option for most people. For those for whom that is not an option, DSHS will launch a toll-free number to provide assistance making an appointment with a participating provider or locating another provider that has vaccine available.

To date, Texas has administered more than 9.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, equating to more than 6 million people with at least one dose and more than 3 million fully vaccinated. Most vaccines are authorized for people 18 years old and older; the FDA has authorized the Pfizer vaccine for use in people 16 and older.

Source: KHOU Houston

Q&A: St. Luke’s physician shares advice on flu season, vaccine and prevention

Community Impact Newspaper spoke with Dr. Sam Rolon, a physician at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group Creekside Family Medicine in The Woodlands, about this year’s upcoming flu season, who should receive influenza vaccinations and how to address possible flu cases amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What is typically defined as flu season? We actually see flu all year long nowadays. We used to not really see it for whatever reason, but nowadays, we see the peak from October through March. But still, last year, I saw it all the way through May [and] June. So, it still lingers a little bit with people traveling and just getting exposed to a minor pocket somewhere.

When would you advise people to get their flu shots this year? For the general population, get it between mid- to late September through late October. … Anytime that you can get it, the sooner, the better, just to make sure you’re vaccinated. … Prevention is key this year for the same reason [as] when COVID[-19] started: … ‘[getting] the surge down’ so that we don’t overburden the hospitals. … We need to have hospital beds available, and we’re just trying to manage public health and make sure that we keep as many people healthy as possible so that we don’t have bad outcomes—so we don’t lose unnecessary, preventable lives from flu, from COVID[-19], from pneumonia, from whatever.

Read more from Community Impact…

Report: Blue Angels to fly over San Antonio to honor healthcare workers


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(Photo: U.S. Navy via MGN Online)

Read more from News4SA…

No more virus articles

We at the Grapevine Source will not be posting any articles about Coronavirus, unless we get new and useful information.

For the latest on the virus, visit the Centers for Disease Control. By now, I think we all know to keep our hands sanitized and use Lysol around the house, as it does kill the COVID-19 virus. Use your common sense, stay safe and look for non-virus content here.

Travelers stuck in long lines at DFW due to CDC questionnaire and enhanced screening, airport says

(Texas Tribune) – Hundreds of travelers returning from overseas Saturday are complaining about long lines and wait times at DFW Airport.

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Passengers coming from Europe wait in long lines at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. (WFAA-TV) (Texas Tribune)

Many are returning following the travel ban announced by President Donald Trump, in which there’s a 30-day suspension of travel between Europe and the United State in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I can see nothing but people for me, for as far as I can see,” said Longview resident Dorothy Lowe, who was returning Saturday from Mexico.

Lowe said she got off the plane at 4 p.m. and was still in line at customs waiting to leave the airport at 7 p.m.

Read more from Click2Houston…

Police department asks public not to call 911 when they run out of toilet paper

BY  

Screen-Shot-2020-03-16-at-9.33.50-AM-1The COVID-19 panic has caused a lot of people to stock up on items like toilet paper. In fact, some stores are limiting toilet paper purchases to four or fewer packs per person and have hired security guards to watch over the toilet paper aisle.

While there are some gastrointestinal symptoms due to the coronavirus, the bulk-buying of toilet paper is unnecessary, and is no reason to panic, according to the Oregon Police Department.

On Saturday, The Newport Oregon Police Department took to Facebook to remind people not to panic, not to call 911 if they run out of toilet paper, and offered a few tried-and-true toilet paper alternatives.

Read more from MyPearlandNews…

Gov. Abbott warns against hoarding toiletries, food amid coronavirus fears

By Blake Hanson

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Photo: FOX4

While it might be a concerning sight, there is no evidence of any long-term supply shortages.

Not a single North Texas store is running out of food. The only reason some shelves are empty is people taking more than they need.

No matter the grocery store you pick, it seems each one is full of shoppers and short on what you need.

“We found some paper towels,” said shopper Sherman Harris. “We haven’t found any toilet paper yet.”

Some shelves were cleared, despite stores setting limits on what each customer can buy.

Read more from FOX26…