The Communications Corner

by Bob Fike KO6XX

Hello everyone!

This is my first entry to our CERT Communications Corner article in our newsletter. I am the new emergency communications manager for our county CERT. I am very comfortable in this position, and looking forward to all of us having fun learning and practicing emergency communications in so many forms unknown to most of us.

I am the semi-new kid on the block for CERT. Some of you know me, some do not. Just a little background: I started in electronics and radios when I was twelve years old. After the 1989 earthquake I got into ham radio while in Ben Lomond in 1990. A year later I joined the Santa Cruz County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). I served as the ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) in the San Lorenzo Valley for six years before retiring last year. I am still very active in ARES.

I taught ham radio classes solo for six years starting in around 1998, and later was so blessed to have wonderful and caring ARES members join me in teaching Technician and General classes.  Teaching is VERY exhausting, and these wonderful people are dedicated to making our communities connected when all else fails.

I joined CERT seven years ago and took the Train the Trainer class as well. I re-certified for CERT a few months ago. So here we are together, going to work out all the confusion, fears, and mysteries of emergency communications in all forms, not just radios! :-)  If you would like to know more about me, please feel free to Google on my call sign KO6XX.

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COVID, Flu, and RSV

By Dr. John Hanley, CERT Safety Officer

The coronavirus, flu and R.S.V. (respiratory syncytial virus, a lesser-known threat whose toll in hospitalizations and deaths may rival that of flu) are all likely to resurge this fall, but exactly when and how much damage they will do is unknown. That’s in part because the restrictions in place during the pandemic altered the seasonal patterns of the viruses.

R.S.V. is increasingly recognized as a major respiratory threat, particularly to older adults, immunocompromised people and young children.

Which vaccines should I ask about?

Everyone should have at least the flu and be up to date on their Covid shot this fall, experts say.

The annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, but it is most important for adults ages 65 and older, children under 5 and people with weak immune systems. CDC Flu Vaccine Timing

Covid - Updated Covid shots are expected this fall from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax, and all are designed to target EG.5, the Omicron variant that currently accounts for roughly 12 percent of cases. The full recommendations will not be available until the F.D.A. authorizes the shots and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviews new data.FDA Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Fall of 2023

RSV - Two R.S.V. vaccines, Abrysvo and Arexvy, are not yet approved for Americans younger than 60. The C.D.C. now recommends that people ages 60 and older may get immunized after consulting with their healthcare provider. CDC RSV Recommendation

When should I get the vaccines?

No one knows when these viruses will re-emerge, so you should get the shots early enough in the fall to build immunity against the pathogens. Most people may not want or be able to make multiple trips to a clinic or pharmacy to space the shots apart.

That probably means September or October. Most Americans may want to consider receiving the flu and Covid shots at the same time, so they are prepared to face either virus. Older adults who are in poor health — those who have heart or lung disease, for example, or are on home oxygen — may get all three shots simultaneously, some experts said.

This document is for informational purposes only and not a recommendation. Always speak to your physician, pharmacist or healthcare provider regarding timing, combination of vaccines and appropriateness of these vaccines for your individual health needs

FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test Oct. 4

Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios and Cell Phones

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Oct. 4. 

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET (11:20 am Pacific time) on Wednesday, Oct. 4. 

• Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.  
• For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." 
• Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”