Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
The CDC provided guidance for safer activities for fully vaccinated people, including being indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart. Click here for the full recommendations.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced that the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration for COVID‑19 is extended through July 19, 2021. By renewing the declaration, waivers and flexibilities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will extend through at least July 19. It is expected that the public health emergency will likely continue through at least the end of calendar year 2021.
The final round of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program opened this week. Applications are due by Tuesday, May 4, at 5 PM. Eligible applicants include current waitlisted small businesses and/or nonprofits not selected in previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria. The eligible grant award is $5,000 to $25,000. Applicants who were not selected to receive a grant and were waitlisted in rounds 1, 2, 3, and 5 do not need to re-apply; their application will automatically be moved into this final round.
This week the state legislature passed a bill (AB 80 – Burke) that allows physicians to deduct PPE expenses from state income taxes. This bill also excludes income from PPP loans for state tax purposes and allows the deduction of expenses paid for with forgiven funds. It is now on the Governor’s desk for his signature.
On April 24, Contra Costa County reached their goal of administering 1 million COVID-19 vaccines, with a reported 1,010,267 vaccines having been administered. The County reached their goal well ahead of the expected date of July 4, 2021. Contra Costa Health Services released a video commemorating the million doses.
Alameda County reports that it has administered more than 1,473,000 doses as of April 29. As of April 29, ICU capacity in the county is at 38% with 18 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Contra Costa Health Services reports that it has administered more than 1,076,000 doses as of April 29. As of April 29, ICU capacity in the county is at 21% with 8 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
The #ThisIsOurShot campaign has launched a private Facebook group that has up-to-date information. The campaign also holds weekly Zoom calls to discuss digital engagement campaigns, hear from guest speakers, and have breakout sessions to plan for future campaigns. These calls are held on Tuesdays at 5:30 PM.
CDPH is holding weekly “office hours” to provide an update on COVID-19 vaccination planning and allow providers in the state to ask questions, on Fridays from 9-10 AM. The May 7 session can be accessed through this link or by calling (415) 655-0001. The event number is: 145 305 3168. The password is: Immunize2021!
CMA's COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Center can be accessed here.
The ACCMA and the California Medical Association (CMA) are continuing to provide PPE directly to medical practices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, by going to this link. N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered. Vinyl gloves are available only to solo and small practices. If approved, orders are shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate order must be completed for each location. Please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383 for more information.
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HHS Releases New Buprenorphine Practice Guidelines, Eliminates X-Waiver Requirement
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Racial Equity Seen As Key Framework to Reduce Homelessness in Alameda County
Alameda County partners, including homelessness advocates, policy experts, and service providers, developed a report, “Centering Racial Equity in Homeless System Design.” The report prioritizes racial equity as the key framework to reduce homelessness and indicates that Alameda County could see a dramatic reduction in homelessness in three years with an $824 million investment.
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Available on demand
Member $29.00 | Non-member $79.00
Now available! Current and new staff can receive on-demand training on HIPAA, OSHA, and customer service. Intended for all staff encountering patients in person or by telephone, this course covers customer service techniques, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org.
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Thursday, May 6 | 6:15–7:30 PM
FREE | CME Available
In this webinar, we will discuss ways physicians can chart safe courses through unpredictable circumstances, learning the five practices of physicians who are good at weathering the storms. For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate at jmullins@accma.org.
Speaker: Linda Clever, MD, MACP
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Tuesday, May 11 | 12–1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
Speakers: TBA and Kimberly N. Green, MD, UCSF (moderator)
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May 18 – June 15, Tuesday evenings, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
FREE | Presented by Bay Area Medical Societies and the Ethnic Health Institute
Join us for two keynote sessions featuring Rishi Manchanda, MD (President and CEO, HealthBegins) and Anthony Iton, MD (SVP, The California Endowment), followed by three panel discussions that examine health equity in the Bay Area and highlight strategies for improvement.
May 18: Linkage Between Social Inequity and Health Disparities, Rishi Manchanda, MD, MPH
May 25: Health Equity in Our Own Backyard, Anthony Iton, MD, JD, MPH
June 1: Community Resilience Case Study: Physician Leaders of the African American Response Circle
June 8: A Systems Approach Case Study: The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG)
June 15: Leadership in Action Case Study: Kedran Community Health Center
Click here for details and to register for the series.
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Wednesday, May 19 | 10 AM – 2:30 PM
FREE to attend | CME Available
This will be a four-hour online training for qualified prescribers (including physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) to receive half of the 8 hours of training required to obtain a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) waiver for treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Open to members and non-members. Counts for 4 CME credits.
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ACCMA's On-Demand Library
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Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
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