Keep family members and pets safe by learning basics of harmful algal blooms

Source: California Water Boards

Photo: Figure 1 Harmful algal blooms observed at Clear Lake in July 2020

May 30, 2021 (Sacramento) -- With the Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start of a busy recreational water season and as temperatures soar in many areas, the State Water Resources Control Board is once again warning the public that harmful algal blooms, or HABs, tend to flourish in the summer and can have potentially serious health impacts for humans and pets.

The State Water Board urges recreational water users to visit its HABs web portal to educate themselves about the following before engaging in activities in and around lakes and streams:

May 28, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• COVID-19 antibody test from UC Irvine team can predict if you'll have severe disease (10 News)
• 0.03% chance: Getting coronavirus after being vaccinated incredibly rare in L.A. County  (Los Angeles Times)
• 'What if it was your kid?': Parents of young children feel forgotten as CDC loosens mask restrictions (USA Today)
• New Coronavirus Detected In Patients At Malaysian Hospital; The Source May Be Dogs (NPR)
• Unvaccinated People Are Most at Risk by Unmasking, C.D.C. Director Says (MSN)
• Car goes up in flames after driver uses hand sanitizer while smoking, officials say (KOMO News)
• Scary 'long haul' symptoms found in many COVID patients, Stanford researchers say (SF Chronicle)
• Coronavirus vaccines may not work in some people. It’s because of their underlying conditions (Washington Post)
• The Pandemic Proved Hospitals Can Deliver Care To Seriously Ill Patients At Home (NPR)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• Ford Says Electric F-150 Will Start Under $40,000. It Can Also Power Your Home (NPR)
• Man Who Is Paralyzed Communicates By Imagining Handwriting (NPR)
• Amazon merger with MGM bolsters its Prime ambitions (Washington Post)
• How Your Hot Showers And Toilet Flushes Can Help the Climate (NPR)
• Clearview accused of attempting to move biometric data beyond reach of US law (Biometric update)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

HEPA filters and high-fit/high filtration masks provide dual benefits

By Devabhaktuni Srikrishna

May 26, 2021 (San Diego) -- In 2020, wildfires accounted for as much as half the fine particulate air pollution (PM 2.5) on the west coast and fire season is expected to be even more severe in 2021. While all smoke inhalation is bad, wildfire smoke is particularly dangerous due to the combination of chemicals it contains, including toxic gases and particulate matter from trees, homes, vehicles and industrial facilities. Recent research suggests risks from wildfire-specific PM 2.5 on respiratory health may be much worse than from other sources.

East County News Service

Photo: Commonly Used

May 23, 2021 (Santee) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints is hosting a blood drive in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank on Saturday, June 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10052 N Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA 92071 in the parking lot. All participants will receive a San Diego Padres Blood Drive T-shirt. (size subject to availability and while supplies last). 

Anyone 17 and older, who weighs at least 114 pounds and is in good health may be eligible to donate blood. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to donation. We strongly encourage appointments.  Photo identification is required.  Please call (800) 469-7322 or visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org for more information.

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2021 (San Diego) – Fifteen months after COVID-19 shut downs began, the state of California will be lifting all capacity limits and color-coded tiers starting June 15, allowing all businesses to reopen at full capacity without physical distancing. Locally, that includes Padres games at full capacity, a return of symphony concerts, festivals and more.

The announcement came Friday from Dr. Mark Ghaly, head of the California Health and Human Services Agency, who indicated the state will largely follow guidelines U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There will, however, be some requirements for mega-indoor events as well as guidelines for massive outdoor events. In addition, rules remain pending for workplaces and some travel limits may be imposed for travelers from nations with high rates of COVID, in accordance with CDC recommendations.

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2021 (San Diego) – California and San Diego officials have announced that they will wait until June 15 to lift mask mandates for most public places. The four-week wait allows young people age 12 and up to get vaccinated, since the CDC just approved COVID-19 vaccines for younger teens starting last week.

Starting June 15, assuming cases remain low, as expected, Californians who are fully vaccinated will be able to go without masks in most indoor settings, according to Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s Health and Human Services Secretary.  Vaccinated people can already go without masks in most outdoor settings.

“We urge all Californians to get vaccinated to ensure that infection and hospitalization rates remain low across the state and that we can all return to the activities we love,” Dr. Ghaly advises.

“San Diego County is aligned with the California Department of Public Health and will wait until June 15 to adopt CDC mask guidance,” Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors, announced yesterday on twitter. “This short time frame allows us to ensure everyone has access to the vaccine and time for business and entities across our county to prepare for the change.”

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Registered nurse Carol Shapiro gets ready to give Kayden Faulkner, 14, her COVID-19 vaccination.

May 14, 2021 (San Diego) - Starting Saturday, youths ages 12-17 who want to get a COVID-19 vaccination in San Diego County without a parent present will have to provide a signed form to show their parent or legal guardian has given permission.

By Alexa Oslowski

May 11, 2021 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa announced in a news release on May 7 that it will be hosting a vaccine clinic on May 22 in partnership with the County of San Diego, Helix Charter High School, Champions for Health, and the Philippine Nurses Association of San Diego. This is one of the latest efforts by the city to improve vaccine equitability and access.

East County News Service

May 10, 2021 (Washington d.C.) -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to include adolescents ages 12 through 15, Previously, the Pfizer vaccine was approved only for people age 16 and up.

Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D., says the action is “a significant step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” adding, “Today’s action allows for a younger population to be protected from COVID-19, bringing us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy and to ending the pandemic. Parents and guardians can rest assured that the agency undertook a rigorous and thorough review of all available data, as we have with all of our COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorizations.”

Sources: Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts and Addiction Policy Forum

May 10, 2021 (New York and Bethesda) -- Health officials have released an update that individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) are at a heightened risk for serious complications from COVID-19 and underscored the importance for individuals with SUD and their caregivers to get vaccinated.   

By Ariana Longley, chief operating officer at the Patient Safety Movement Foundation

Image via Pixabay

May 6, 2021 (San Diego) - The emergency room (ER) can be a stressful place – whether it’s you or a loved one seeking care. While most visits to the ER are unexpected, that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 6, 2021 (San Diego's East County) - Starting, Thurs., May 6, three County COVID-19 vaccination sites in North, East and South County will start offering evening hours for San Diegans.