Seniors Staying Connected: Via Center Coronavirus Update 3.10.2021 [email protected] www.viamobile.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theviacenter/ Instagram: via health fitness SENIORS AND DRAGONFLIES The tiny dragonfly is a powerful symbol of strength, courage and change. Its amazing flying abilities allow it to migrate across the sea, move in any direction, glide and change course in a flash. This adaptability makes all the difference in its survival. Recognizing all of our community’s Seniors for their strength, resiliency and adaptability during the pandemic. Seniors are our Greatest Generation. VIA CENTER SENIOR EASTER EVENT Via Center Portico Wednesday, March 31 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Please join us for our Ham Give-a-Way and the Via Easter Basket. We are giving away hams to our Seniors AND the chance to pull a winning egg - with a special prize inside – from our basket. And…we will have a special staff person dressed as The Easter Bunny! Individual Registration Required: E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 251.470.5229 Online Link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=kzagbytab&oeidk=a07eh p2k2aq02bc0d0c SENIOR CENTERS OPEN FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ONLY MORE CAREGIVER VISITS TO HOSPITALS/NURSING HOMES GOVERNOR WON’T EXTEND MASK MANDATE AFTER APRIL 9 Governor Specifically Mentions Toll the Pandemic Has Taken on Seniors One of Governor Ivey’s main concerns was that of Seniors, who she said have had to deal with more than just masks. “While this has been out of an abundance of caution an unintended consequence has created loneliness, depression, and in some cases mental and physical decline,” Ivey stated. There are also changes to rules for caregivers visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Subject to reasonable restrictions, patients and residents will be allowed visits from as many as two caregivers (up from one) or as many as two visitors (up from one) at a time For now, individuals are still required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people. Data Shows Cases Have Dropped Statewide/Vaccinations Increased Covid cases and hospitalization counts have dropped in Alabama as a whole since January. Alabama averaged 990 new cases a day over the last week - down from a peak average of 4,280 on January 10 (Johns Hopkins University). And, more than 1.1 million Alabamians have now received vaccinations, and about 410,000 have received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. Expanding the categories of eligibility will not occur for weeks, according to Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. The demand continues to far outstrip supply. Current Eligibility: 1. 65 and older 2. First responders 3. Corrections officers 4. Food and agriculture workers 5. U.S. Postal Service workers 6. Manufacturing workers 7. Grocery store workers 8. Public transit workers 9. People who work in the education sector (teachers, support staff, community college and higher education) 10. Childcare workers 11. Judiciary (including but not limited to) circuit judges, district judges and district attorneys Click Here to Read Full Order Click Here for Graphic on Changes SENIORS UTILIZING THE VIA CENTER The Via Center is now working under guidelines from the CDC, Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Senior Services “Senior Center Reopening Guidelines for Outdoor Activities.” - When on premises, Seniors will be required to complete a Covid-19 Daily Assessment Tool: Please Click Here to Review Paperwork - Seniors are required to review all safety and health guidelines for usage of Senior Centers: Please Click Here to Review Guidelines *** The Via’s Centers Outdoor Fitness Class Schedule can be viewed Here. SENIORS GETTING NEW STIMULUS CHECKS In the final leg of the legislative process, the White House will sign the “American Rescue Plan” any day now. What This Means for Seniors: - Other Adult Dependents. Expanding eligibility to adult dependents means elderly people and individuals with disabilities who are claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return will receive $1,400. - People receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Administration (VA) and Railroad Retiree benefits will automatically receive $1,400, even if they don't normally file tax return. Checks are expected to begin going out in March. Check the Status of Your Payment: Get My Payment COVID IN OUR COMMUITY: VACCINE TIPS AND OPTIONS In Mobile County, the both the seven day and 14-day averages have decreased. Hospitalizations have also decreased from 87 at the end of February to 55 currently. 1. If you are a Senior, you may have underlying health conditions that will make you eligible, even if you aren’t 65 and older. These include: cancer; chronic kidney disease; COPD; Down Syndrome; heart conditions (heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies); immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant; obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher); severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 or higher); sickle cell disease; smoking; type 2 diabetes mellitus. Check Your Body Mass Index Here 2. There are no county-county restrictions on getting the vaccine – you can go anywhere in Alabama to get vaccinated. Via Center staff is providing assistance with online registrations. Deanna Murphy: 251.470.5232 or [email protected] Barbara Estes: 251.470.5229 or [email protected] Updated List of Vaccination Options http://viamobile.org/images/SSC-23.pdf Just Released! • CVS expands list of locations in Alabama offering Covid vaccines. Vaccines are showing as available in Daphne and Mobile. Call: 800.746.7287 Check Availability Online Here • ADPH OWA mass vaccination clinic is now by appointment only and will be held at the Baldwin County Health Department. Register through the health department's online portal: check eligibility, verify occupation, amount of exposure and age group. Online Portal: https://alcovidvaccine.gov/ • CDC Vaccine Finder. Enter your zip code and search within a five, 10 or 50 mile radius. A list of nearby pharmacies and heath centers will pop up. We found at least 20 providers when searching “In Stock,” including Walmart, Winn Dixie, Publix and Sam’s. Vaccine Finder: https://vaccinefinder.org/search/ RESEARCH/VACCINE UPDATE One-Dose Johnson & Johnson Vax Joins Moderna and Pfizer in the Fight Johnson & Johnson, whose single-dose vaccine was approved last week, will deliver 20 million doses by the end of March and 100 million by July. An analysis by the FDA found that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was 85 percent effective at preventing severe Covid and 100 percent effective at preventing death. A single- dose vaccine will boost the country's rate of vaccination. This increases the number of people vaccinated each week and will be critical for containing new outbreaks of more contagious variants. Enough Vaccine for Every Citizen By the end of July, Moderna plans to deliver 300 million doses and Pfizer will deliver 200 million doses. The companies aim to deliver enough vaccines to vaccinate 400 million people, which is about 70 million more than the current U.S. population. A fourth vaccine could become available in April, when AstraZeneca secures FDA approval and will immediately release 80 million doses by the end of April. Which Vaccine is Better? ADPH: Take whatever Covid vaccine is available when you are eligible. The CDC has no preference for vaccine product. All three vaccines are effective in reducing Covid disease and death. The key difference between the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine and Pfizer and Moderna is the J&J vaccine requires only one dose. Pfizer and Moderna vaccine require two doses. The J&J vaccine uses an inactivated adenovirus (similar to the virus that causes the common cold) instead of the mRNA technology used in the other two. mRNA is like software for the cell - it’s the set of instructions by which cells make all proteins and send them to various parts of the body. While Moderna and Pfizer both use the same technology, they contain slightly different mRNAs and different ingredients used to protect the mRNA, maintain the pH and stabilize the solution. The one-shot J&J vaccine may be beneficial for certain certain people: those move around a lot and can’t return for a second dose; people who are on immunosuppressant drugs and can’t easily delay taking them in order to receive a second dose; and people who are allergic to the mRNA vaccine. The vaccine is also more easily stored and stable for longer periods of time with freezing. I AM FULLY VACCINATED – NOW WHAT? Nearly 55 percent of Americans age 65 and older have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine. Administration officials say an average of 2 million Americans are getting vaccinated every day. The White House announced recently that the U.S. expects to take delivery of enough vaccines for all adult Americans by the end of May - two months earlier than anticipated. CDC: Fully vaccinated Americans can meet in groups indoors without masks or social distancing – but must cover faces in public. Someone is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they receive both shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 1. It's OK to visit indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart. 2. It's OK to visit indoors with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart. 3. It's not necessary to quarantine or get tested following exposure to someone infected with the coronavirus as long as you don't develop symptoms. 4. The CDC has NOT changed its guidance when it comes to travel, meaning that people should avoid all nonessential travel.