I Voted! Have you voted yet? Is anyone else feeling the stress of this election? It feels like it is more important than ever to vote. I wanted to provide last-minute voters some quick guidance on filling out your election ballot at the in-person polling place. See below this welcome block for voting guidance provided by legislative advocates at CMA and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce.
The Board of Directors and the SCMA Team are busy with budgets, virtual elections, leadership transitions, 2021 membership renewals, HOD, mergers (we are finally working on details to merge MLCMS and SCMA into ONE big family!) and our 2020 Awards logistics. You will be hearing from us again sooner rather than later with more details on many of these items. In the meantime, I hope you find some nuggets of value in the links and information in this newsletter.
On Saturday, Oct. 24 at the CMA House of Delegates, the house voted to edit the association's Articles of Incorporation and include in its mission statement an overarching, permanent goal of achieving health equity and justice. The new mission statement is as follows:
To promote the science and art of medicine, the care and well-being of patients, the protection of the public health, the betterment of the medical profession, and to achieve health equity and justice.
Your renewed membership in CMA/SCMA/MLCMS helps us
Yours in health and service,
Wendy Young, Executive Director | 707-620-0808 | exec@scma.org
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CMA PHYSICIAN VOTER GUIDE |
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Election Day is 11/3/20
Ensure your voice is heard
loud and clear!
Click the link to view the California Medical Association's 2020 Physician Voter Guide, which includes positions on statewide ballot measures.
FYI on local tax measures on the ballot: The Santa Rosa Metro Chamber has joined a coalition of other groups, including the Farm Bureau, North Bay Leadership Council, and North Coast Builders Exchange, to say “No, Not Now” to sales taxes on this year’s ballot.
The Chamber is not against taxes. They are simply asking for no new or extended burdens on our residents for the next two years. Let’s recover from our recent fires—and get through fire season—first. Let’s navigate PSPS, care for our residents, and keep our favorite small business alive. Let’s reopen our schools safely for teachers and students. Let’s get the thousands of families who have lost a job back in the workforce. Then, let’s figure out what taxes are needed for what lays ahead of us.
CMA Senior Vice President of Government Relations Janus Norman has published his annual Legislative Wrap-Up, which provides an insider's take on what went down this legislative session. In it you will read about California’s completely unpredictable, totally chaotic legislative year.
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FBI warns ransomware assault threatens US healthcare system |
Independent security experts say it has already hobbled at least five U.S. hospitals this week, and could potentially impact hundred more.
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Sonoma County Economic Development Board: |
COVID-19 Workplace Exposure State Requirements
AB 685 (Chapter 84, Statutes of 2020) is a new California law that requires employers to notify employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and to report workplace outbreaks of COVID-19 to their local health department.
Contact County of Sonoma Public Health Disease Control Department at 707-565-4566 immediately after three or more laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 occur among workers who live in different households within a two-week period.
Under AB 685, a COVID-19 case is someone who:
- Has a positive viral test for COVID-19,
- Is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a licensed health care provider,
- Is ordered to isolate for COVID-19 by a public health official, OR
- Dies due to COVID-19, as determined by a public health department.
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Sonoma County Department of Health Services: |
Update and Proposal for Enhanced Strategies: Oct. 20, 2020
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed a suite of actions to support those most negatively impacted by the spread of coronavirus, including those in low-income, essential workers, and Latin communities. The goal of these initiatives is to address COVID-19 disparities while reducing overall community spread, allowing the county to move out of the most-restrictive purple tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
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California Department of Public Health: |
More Personal Care Services Can Open Indoors. Sonoma County's health order is aligned with the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework for reopening allowing local personal care services to open with modifications immediately: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/
There is no change to the state guidance for hair salons and barbershops, which are also allowed to operate indoors with modifications. The State updated guidance for several industries on Oct. 20, 2020.
Click here to find your Industry Guidance.
Check the links below for additional information and resources:
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COVID-19 Vaccine Update
TUESDAY, NOV. 10, 2020 • 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. PT
No cost | Moderator: Kimberly Newell Green, MD
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Three experts will share the latest update on the vaccine's progress, status of clinical trials and state distribution plans. Webinar participants will also hear from the lead of a statewide (NIH) grant focused on vaccine trials among vulnerable and underserved populations.
Physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are encouraged to register for the webinar to learn how to better:
- Discuss the current state of COVID-19 vaccine development.
- Describe California’s planning efforts in anticipation of one or more COVID-19 vaccines.
- Counsel any potential fears and misunderstandings patients may have on vaccine.
The California Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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Hike & Brunch
Hosted by: SCMA's Physician Wellness Committee
One date | Two hikes to choose from
SUNDAY, NOV. 15 • 10:30 A.M.
Riverfront Regional Park (Windsor/Healdsburg)
Helen Putnam Regional Park
(Petaluma)
Join your colleagues for a hike & boxed brunch provided by SCMA. Please pre-register via exec@scma.org to reserve your place (limited to 12 participants for each location). Family members are welcome.
Click your park choice below for maps and parking information.
Rain cancels. If postponed, hikes will be rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21.
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LIMITED TIME OFFER for SCMA Physicians and Families
from SCMA's Supporting Business Partner
Fleet Feet - Downtown Santa Rosa
For one week only: SCMA members and families can save 15-25% on Fleet Feet's selection of quality athletic shoes, apparel and accessories.
Make a shopping appointment and take your tired, worn shoes to meet their replacement! Address: 111 3rd Street in Santa Rosa.
THANK YOU, Fleet Feet!
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2021 YP Small Group Program
Learn how to:
• Pay off your loans AND work fewer hours.
• Connect intimately AND finish your notes.
• Engage your kids AND complete the housework.
• Have time for yourself AND time for others.
Facilitated by Emily Shaw, MD: Certified life coach, family physician and member of SCMA's Physician Wellness Committee.
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Sonoma Valley Hospital computer systems shut down by "security incident." Patients experienced delays in getting test results and some diagnostic services were unavailable after the unexplained incident in late October.
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Here are a few links you might continue to find helpful to review periodically:
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California employers with 5+ employees are required to provide sexual harassment avoidance training for all employees by Jan. 1, 2021. Are you prepared? |
Through the end of 2020, the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. (CAP) is pleased to offer complimentary access to a two-hour supervisory course and one-hour non-supervisory course to help your practice meet the fast-approaching deadline. Sign Up Now.
CAP is a leading provider of medical malpractice coverage for California physicians. CAP offers a wide array of risk and practice management benefits to its members.
Become a CAP member and begin saving today!
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Contact SCMA|MLCMS: exec@scma.org | Rachel@scma.og | 707-525-4375 |
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