In November, Breathe California presented its third annual World COPD Day Event online and in-person at our partner the Santa Clara Family Health Plan’s new Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center in San Jose. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Lisa Postow of the National Institute of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. You can watch the video of her insightful and educational address covering COPD related topics as well as a Q&A session.

We would also like to thank those who fund or sponsor our senior programs including those related to COPD: The City of San Jose Senior Health and Wellness, The City of Cupertino, El Camino Healthcare District, Peninsula Health Care District, and the Learn More Breathe Better program at the NHLBI.

As holidays and winter months mean more time indoors, the FDA has authorized the updated (Bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines for children down to 6 Months of Age. Vaccination is still the best defense and can offer hope against the worst symptoms of the disease, including hospitalization and death. Protect your child today by vaccinating them as soon as they are eligible. Learn more.

Since the first cases of COVID-19 were documented in the US in 2020, people began reporting symptoms lasting or reoccurring for weeks, months, or even years. This infection-associated chronic illness – “Long COVID” – currently affects between 7.7 and 23 million Americans. Learn more in this informative report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Find more information, a presentation, videos, and links to patient support groups on Breathe California's Long COVID page.

If you become ill during this holiday season’s “Tripledemic,” it might be hard to determine which dangerous virus you suffer from. The “cold” is a common viral upper respiratory tract infection, but COVID, RSV, and the flu can all be much more serious – and harder to tell apart. Here is a chart showing the differences in symptoms and a sheet with information about each as well as links to helpful resources in Bay Area counties.

This holiday season your generosity can help your friends, family, and neighbors by supporting Breathe California’s work. Our programs and resources help people with asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, and sleep apnea. We promote and educate about clean air and cleaner fueled vehicles. We work to help people who smoke or vape quit and continue to fight big tobacco.

Visit our new Donate page to see four easy ways to support us AND make the Bay Area a safer place to live. You can make a secure online donation, donate your vehicle or used CPAP machine and equipment, or make Breathe California of the Bay Area your designated charity on Amazon Smile. Learn more and give today!

The Breathe California-coordinated Silicon Valley Clean Cities Coalition (SVCCC) was proud to be an Association Sponsor of Fleet Forward Conference (FFC) this November 9-11, 2022 at the Marriott in Santa Clara. The conference was designed to deliver fleets solutions on electrification, connected vehicles, autonomous technology, last-mile mobility, Fleet Management as a Service, next-generation telematics, and more. Learn more and see event photos here.

Keep Saving on Your Monthly Utility Bills!

If you are currently enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program and saving money on your monthly utility bill, don’t forget to renew your enrollment at least 90 days before your enrollment expiration date. Take Action: Visit pge.com/carefera today to complete your application to renew.