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Staying Healthy and Aware
in COVID 19:
Next Steps...
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Keeping Healthy Together!
We need to be aware and know the facts !
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August is National Immunization Awareness Month #ivax2protect
- Cynthia McReynolds, Program Manager, Immunization Initiative, Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (cmcreynolds@mcaap.org). Also a Partner and Mass PTA Health Committee member!
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), an annual observance highlighting the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. In recognition of NIAM, the Baker-Polito Administration has proclaimed August 2020 Immunization Awareness Month to remind Massachusetts’ residents about the importance of immunization.Efforts to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, such as stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders, have led to a decrease in routine preventive medical services, including immunizations. The resulting decline in immunization during the pandemic has put children, adults and communities at risk for preventable diseases and outbreaks. While signs of recovery from pandemic-related disruptions to routine medical care and vaccination have recently been observed, ensuring that your family is up to date on your vaccinations is essential for protecting you and your community. Healthcare provider offices are open and are taking extra precautions to ensure that you are safe during your visit.
You have the power to protect against vaccine preventable diseases! Your family’s health is important to you and vaccines are vital for keeping you and your family healthy. You may have questions about the vaccines that are recommended for your family. As a trusted resource, your healthcare provider can answer your questions. Contact your provider with any concerns or questions, and to confirm that you are up to date on your vaccinations.
In observance of NIAM, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will host an Instagram Q&A for parents of young children on August 24th, from 12-2pm EDT. CDC experts will provide real-time answers to questions about keeping up with childhood vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in on CDC’s Instagram feed (Best viewed in Edge or Chrome).
While we are hopeful that a COVID-19 vaccine will be available soon, we can protect ourselves today by being up to date on the recommended vaccines. With the 2020-2021 influenza season approaching, protecting vulnerable populations and reducing burdens on the healthcare system through influenza vaccination will be critical. Contact your provider today to schedule a flu vaccination appointment.
Thank you for your part in ensuring that our communities are healthy and free from vaccine preventable diseases!
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Keeping Your Local Schools,
Families and Communities Healthy!
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A request from Mass PTA President Madison Estes,
Now more than ever our PTA Local units, their leaderships and members are being asked to give their opinions, ideas and recommendations about the health, safety and wellness of their children, especially as the school year approaches. All of them, our students and children,and the Pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our families and schools, we find ourselves with concerns, many questions and in need of answers.
Please feel free to reach out to your state leaders at Mass PTA for help and assistance, together we will find solutions and responses. Join us, especially in this journey of keeping our youth safe and healthy. Please think seriously and consider and seek a member leader who could be your Health Leader Liaison(s) who can help you to seek out these answers for you and your PTA Units through communicating with your Mass PTA and Mass PTA Health as well as National PTA. Be proactive and be sure you have a local leader who can work on Health, Safety and Wellness issues.
Be sure to reach out to me, Madison Estes, President, Mass PTA at president@masspta.org and/or Jackie Coogan, Chair of Mass PTA Health Committee at health@masspta.org.
Stay strong and thank you for all that you do for PTA and children,
We are here to help and assist you .... Madison
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Keep your PTA Local Units Healthy, Knowledgeable and Thriving,
especially this Fall!
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An Invitation from Mass PTA President, Madison Estes:
Each summer, information for Presidents, Vice Presidents, Treasurers, Secretaries, along with information for Membership, Advocacy, Fundraising, Health, and Reflections Chairs, makes this event a unique energizing start to everyone’s PTA year. Get up to date on the latest rules and regulations from the IRS and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sharpen your leadership and advocacy skills, learn about programs and grants, and take advantage of the networking opportunities.
We are requesting that each PTA send a representative to virtual summer leadership as the Massachusetts PTA standards of affiliation require that someone from each PTA attend at least one training each year.
The person attending does not have to be an officer of the PTA, it can be a member who is interested in moving up or if there is someone that you think would be good to move up, or just a representative from the school.
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This is an excellent opportunity for any member who wants to know more about what PTA has to offer. Everyone is welcome; we hope that you and your other members will join us.
We are offering a number of dates – pick the one that you would like to attend (these sessions are scheduled for 2 hours each)
- Saturday - 8.22 /2020 @ 9:30 AM
- Wednesday - 9/16- 2020 @ 7:00PM
for 9/16/2020
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Don't Miss this webinar! Register Today! |
The New England Region of the Network of the National Library of Medicine is hosting a new webinar about reaching teens with mental health challenges and substance use disorder in this time of COVID. Join us to learn about the innovative work being done by webinar presenters Stephanie Briody and Michelle Muffet Lipinsky.
Being a teenager is hard, and COVID-19 has made these difficult years even harder. Over the past decade, U.S. teens report feeling increased pressure and stress and those working with this population see the result -- young people with mental health conditions, lack of resiliency skills and many with substance use disorder. The healthy coping mechanisms that used to contribute to mental wellness, like community connection, physical activity and the pursuit of creative outlets has been declining. These trends were happening even before COVID!
Teens with mental health issues often develop substance use disorder. It has been said that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection. As the COVID19 pandemic continues, so does the nation’s opioid epidemic. The AMA has expressed concern over the increasing number of reports from national, state and local media suggesting increases in opioid-related overdose deaths. Young people, many of whom were already challenged with mental health conditions are seeking connection and are not finding it because of the social distancing and school closures necessary because of this contagious virus. Those who specialize in behavioral health are warning that a tsunami is about to hit our country in the form of mental health needs. This surge in mental health conditions is predicted to last for years.
Join us for a webinar that will shed some light on teen mental health and substance use disorders. Presenters Stephanie Briody, CEO of Behavioral Health Innovators and Michelle Muffet - Lipinski, Principal of Northshore Recovery High School will share their innovative initiatives and programs that are filling in the gaps in services for teens with mental health and substance use disorders. Learn how you can prepare for this surge in mental health challenges with examples of practices and programs that can be replicated in your community, and that provide the needed connection with teens who are hard to reach.
Make sure to register for the webinar to receive the recording link and presentation materials.
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Michael A. Curry is deputy CEO and general counsel of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and David R. Martin is CEO of the Massachusetts Health Council
"Dealing with black, brown mistrust of
COVID-19 vaccine"
Opinion by Michael A. Curry
and David R. Martin
Massachusetts is in danger of failing communities of color, once again, if we do not start preparing for a COVID-19 vaccine now. Black Americans, in particular, are both more susceptible to the complications of the virus and may be less trusting of the medical establishment responsible for producing a vaccine, due in part to historic abuse, neglect, and unequal treatment. We must work to restore our black citizens’ trust in the healthcare system and, even harder, to ensure that, when a COVID-19 vaccine is available, communities of color will be among the first to have access along with first responders and essential workers.
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We already know that the Coronavirus outbreak hasn’t affected everyone equally. The hardest-hit places in Massachusetts are where our black and brown residents live.
Their cases are worsened by a higher prevalence of underlying conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma – conditions that increase their chances of dying from COVID-19 twelvefold. These health disparities are directly linked to structural racism, which hinders access to and equal treatment within our healthcare system for people of color.
A recent Pew Foundation poll found that whereas 74 percent of white and Latino respondents said they would definitely or probably take a COVID-19 vaccine, only 54 percent of black Americans said the same. The reason for this is obvious: black Americans have been victimized by the medical establishment for centuries. From being denied access to quality, affordable health care under Jim Crow to being identified as having “bad blood” during the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment (1932-1972) and beyond, many black Americans do not trust that our healthcare system has their best interests at heart.
We can seek to address this with a combination of education and engagement, as well as assurances that there is no greater risk posed to those early recipients of the vaccine, if true.
First, we should develop a statewide education and engagement campaign focused on communities of color to promote the safety, efficacy, and necessity of vaccines in protecting not only the individual but also the vulnerable people around them. An important component of these efforts will be identifying community leaders who can offer information, answer questions, and counter misinformation (via video conference for the foreseeable future) about the vaccine.
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Protocols for responding to COVID-19 scenarios
in school,
on the bus,
or in community settings.
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From our Partner and Mass PTA Health Committee Member ,
Dr. Lester Hartman
Westwood-Mansfield Pediatric Associates
"Proactive in your child’s care. Empowering families for over 60 years."
@DrHartmanWMPEDS | #Tobacco21 | #DontBeAJuulFuul | #FlavorsHookKids
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Introduction and overview:
As a supplement to DESE’s Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance, we are providing districts and schools with additional information on protocols for responding to specific COVID-19 scenarios this fall. Protocols from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) related to this topic may be released in the coming weeks and this guidance may be updated accordingly. We will also be providing additional clarifying information through our FAQ process.
This guidance provides more information and protocols to answer the following questions:
· What should a district do if there is a symptomatic individual – at home, on the bus, or at school?
· What should a district do if someone in the school community tests positive for COVID-19 – be it a student, teacher, staff, or bus driver, or one of their household members or close contacts?
· Who should get tested for COVID-19 and when?
· In what circumstances would someone need to quarantine (when they have been exposed but are not sick) or isolate (when they are sick)?
· What should school districts do to monitor COVID-19 spread in their communities?
In our Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance, we put forth the goal of the safe return of as many students as possible to in-person learning. At the same time, we asked districts to plan for all contingencies by asking for three reopening models.
A safe return to in-person school environments will require a culture of health and safety every step of the way.
Specifically: It is not one mitigation strategy but a combination of all these strategies taken together that will substantially reduce the risk of transmission. No single strategy can ever be perfect, but all strategies together will reduce risk. In addition, although we are currently in Phase 3 of Reopening Massachusetts, it will take collective continued vigilance towards health and safety measures to continue to contain COVID-19.To support a culture of health and safety, schools must have robust and reliable ways to communicate with all families, students, teachers, and staff in order to send and receive key messages related to COVID-19. Preparing to respond to COVID-19 scenarios.
Get the Full report and so much more!!! Click Here
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Safety Guidance for Cleaning & Disinfecting for COVID-19
(and in general)
The best way to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is to protect yourself and others from being exposed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put out helpful guidance on protecting yourself from COVID-19 and specific information for people with asthma.
While we’re all cleaning more than ever at home and at work, it’s important to remember safe cleaning & disinfecting practices to protect your health and the health of those around you. Inappropriate use of cleaning products can cause mild to severe asthma symptoms, new onset of asthma, and other health issues!
In any given classroom, at least two or three students are likely to have asthma.
Children experiencing asthma symptoms often stay home from school or struggle to participate.
Clearing the Air: An Asthma Toolkit for Healthy Schools is a new toolkit containing sample policy language, best practices, and curated resources & tools to help schools create an asthma-friendly learning and working environment
Together we can take action to prioritize clean air and make school a healthy place for staff and students to work, learn, and play!
This toolkit is a project of the MA Asthma Action Partnership, Health Resources in Action, and the MA DPH’s Asthma Prevention and Control Program. Learn more here!
Stay Tuned in the Fall! A Webinar will be presented in collaborations with Health Resources in Action( HRiA) and The Mass PTA Health, Safety and Wellness.
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From our Partner and Mass PTA Health Committee Member.
Rophe Mason
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It's no secret– back to school this year is very different than years past. With a multitude of options for how schools return from A/B scheduling, fully remote learning, and everything in between: masks for students and teachers are a key feature of returning back to "normal".
Recent studies show a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (asymptomatic) or eventually develop symptoms (pre-symptomatic) can transmit the virus. Cloth face masks in combination with social distancing will help inhibit the spread of the virus that happens via speaking, coughing, or sneezing (even with no symptoms) between people interacting in close proximity. Recommendations to wear face masks apply to anyone over 2 years of age. They should be cloth masks that can be washed frequently. Surgical masks or N-95 respirators are not recommended by current CDC guidance for regular citizen use
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ROPHE MASON
General Manager
(561) 779-2887
ChooseBooster.com
New ways we are serving Schools
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As the spirit wear provider and merchandise partner for over 4000 schools nationwide, we’ve stepped up and scoured the country to find the best options for customizable face covers for students and teachers. Here’s what we found!
BEST FOR KIDS: YOUTH LAT FACE MASK
Made specifically for kids, this 4.5 oz., 100% combed ringspun cotton jersey mask with ribbed cotton binding across the top, bottom, and ear holes ensures comfortable all day wear. These customizable face masks are 2-ply, reusable, breathable, and machine washable.
Part of Booster’s mission is to strengthen schools, and one way we can do that is helping make this safety priority hassle free, fun and simple for your school & community.
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Registration for
Tobacco Free Mass’ 2020 Policy Forum is now open!
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Banning Menthol: What worked, and what's next?
In November 2019, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to ban the sale of all menthol and other flavored tobacco products, including flavored vape products. At this year's Policy Forum, Tobacco Free Mass will bring together people who made it happen: local public health officials, lobbyists, young activists, legal experts, and legislators.
The Policy Forum will be held online and will take place in two parts from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm EST. The first part will cover how the law was passed, and the second will look at what we need to do next to finally end tobacco use in Massachusetts.
The event is free for dues-paying members of Tobacco Free Mass, but you still must register! The suggested fee is $50 for all others; we want anyone interested in this topic to be able to attend! This is Tobacco Free Mass' one fundraiser for the year, so if you are able, please support our work by paying the full amount (and, of course, we’d always welcome more)!
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- To keep them Healthy
- To keep them Safe
- To keep them Well
It’s up to all of us to bring committed people,parents, educators, schools, agencies,organizations and communities together to act on the health needs, safety and well-being of all of Massachusetts’s children.
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It is for Them,
that we need YOU!
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Join us in our Massachusetts PTA Health Mission, Initiatives and Committee.
Contact: Jackie Coogan, Chair
Massachusetts PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee
617-851-5382
Everyone is welcome to the Massachusetts PTA!
You can become a PTA member by joining the Massachusetts Cranberry PTA unit or by joining a local PTA in your area.
Contact:
Karen DeRoche, President-Elect
and/or
Kathersha Cureton, Vice President of Leadership
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