As the COVID-19 declarations of emergencies come to an end in Clark County and Nevada, the Southern Nevada Health District is committed to continuing to offer vaccine and testing resources, and ongoing disease surveillance, protection, and control guidance to the public and its partners.

“We are three years into a pandemic that has changed people’s lives and many of their livelihoods in ways we would never have imagined, and I fully understand the desire people have to put COVID-19 behind them,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, District Health Officer. “While we can’t live in a state of emergency indefinitely, it is important to remind everyone the virus that causes COVID-19 is still circulating in our community. Cases are currently increasing, and new variants are emerging. It is as important as ever to protect yourself and others by getting fully vaccinated and boosted if you are eligible."

As of May 17, the Southern Nevada Health District is making COVID-19 vaccine booster doses available to children 5 through 11 years of age at all its vaccine clinics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine allowing for the expanded use of this vaccine. "I would encourage parents and guardians to provide additional protection for their children against COVID-19 by getting a booster dose, or their primary vaccination series if they have not received it.”

The SNHD wants to also remind parents and guardians the Fall school semester begins August 8. Don't wait to vaccinate! Call our Mesquite clinic at (702) 759-1682 for appointments.

The mobile COVID-19 testing services administered by Curative continues to be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. The testing location is The Jimmie Hughes Campus at 150 North Yucca Street near the Mesquite SNHD clinic. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments will reduce waiting time.

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test consists of a shallow, self-administered nasal swab. Results are typically provided within 24-48 hours. Please bring your ID and insurance card (if applicable) to the site to receive your test. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the test and it is available for both insured and uninsured; the insured must provide insurance information. For online appointments go to: https://book.curative.com

If you need additional assistance, please call Curative's support line at 888-702-9042.

In last month's newsletter, I included pictures of the new directional signs for the SNHD clinic at the Jimmie Hughes Campus. I thought Dr. Leguen would like to see the new signage, so I emailed him my newsletter. That led to Dr. Leguen telling me he would like to make a trip to Mesquite to see the new location of the clinic.

He and Facilities Services Manager Sean Beckham drove up to see us on May 12. They were welcomed by nursing staff Liz Munford and Karlina Landini and Environmental Health Inspector Gary Robinson. City staff Nick Montoya and Zach Nicholas provided them with a tour of the space outlining the remaining expansion and renovation plans. Dr. Leguen, Sean, and I then met with Mayor Litman who provided them with the status of our economic development.

Mayor Litman and I discussed how important it is for Mesquite to have the services they provide to us and with expected growth in the city, more services will be needed.

In August of 2021, the council had to make a decision about how to provide economic development, either by extending a current contract or possibly developing it in-house. Facing serious unknowns regarding our future revenue, the council voted to discontinue contractual services for the present.

Nearly a year has passed. Assistant City Manager Martine Green took on the responsibility for organizing what was already in development, created a marketing plan, and welcomed businesses interested in Mesquite. "We have made great strides in the last few months with our marketing campaign for economic development," Martine says. "We are saving over $240,000 a year after turning our efforts in-house and no longer using a consultant. We were using a third party to advertise our land for sale but recently updated our website with our own information, saving more money. We are essentially now marketing ourselves. Less money, better control, and better service."

Martine Green has been in real estate since 1986 and has worked in all facets of the business including; broker, sales manager (condo tower, and many large residential projects), loan officer, and escrow. She managed a real estate office in the northwest for a year.

Martine has business management and paralegal degrees and was also a licensed insurance agent. She has seven years of experience as a paralegal so she understands the legal property requirements.

She has a wonderful, friendly personality and is great at marketing our city and helping new businesses navigate processes and procedures.

Program Coordinator Darlene Montague, who has been serving our community here in Mesquite for over 22 years, explains their hy-flex (or hybrid flexible) learning. These combine face-to-face and online classes to accommodate everyone.

One of the newest offerings is a nursing assistant apprenticeship program. It begins with an online lecture course, an on-campus lab course, and a hands-on clinical course at Mesa View Regional Hospital.

Have questions? Contact Darlene or Chantile McAllister at 702-346-2485 or click on this Facebook link: Facebook.com/CSNMesquite. Open registration began on May 16.

Is Offering a Nurse Apprentice Program for RN Students.

The program commenced recently with the encouragement of the Nevada Hospital Association and Nevada Rural Hospital Partners organizations. To participate in the program at Mesa View, candidates must be currently enrolled in an accredited nursing school program. They can apply for apprentice positions to be paid for their experience at the hospital, working within their scope of skills.

For more information about available positions, visit MesaViewHospital.com and click on ‘Careers’ at the top right. Then select ‘Nursing’ and look for ‘Apprentice Nurse’ positions! Applications must be submitted online. There are currently two positions posted at Mesa View.

After being appointed to the city council in 2020, I was invited to join Mesquite’s Interagency Meetings. I’ve been attending the monthly virtual meeting, and I’d like to share with you what they are doing.

Called Interagency, the group had been meeting before the city's Victim Service Program was established a few years ago. Michelle Reber was hired for the Victim Service Program and joined in hopes to collaborate and find agency partners and services.

Interagency was initially organized by the Mesquite Behavioral Health Center, but Michelle has assumed the responsibility to keep the connection for the Victim Service Program. Representatives from various agencies take an hour each month to attend the meeting, participate in discussions of needs and ideas, and share information to access resources, funding, training, and upcoming events. Some of the topics and presentations have been on fraud prevention, grant availability, solving childcare shortages, getting the word out on educational class offerings, and homelessness issues for rural communities.

Michelle is now a paralegal for the City Attorney. I applaud her efforts in keeping this group together as well as those agencies and community members who take time to attend. It’s such a proactive approach to communicating needs, problem-solving, and serving the community. 

Additional agencies and community members are all welcome to attend. Contact Michelle at mreber@mesquitenv.gov.

Get your tickets at https://www.vvtgnv.com/upcoming

It's been a good week. I got to meet Lexie. I helped her to reach her "furever" home in Nebraska. My husband and I are volunteers who transport at-risk animals to other rescues, fosters, or adoptive parents. I am always amazed at how resilient and loving these precious souls are.

Thank you to all the volunteers, transport coordinators, pullers, fosters, and rescues out there. You make a difference.

Lexie is grateful. So am I.

If you know anyone who wants to sign up for my newsletter, please refer them to my website, scroll to the bottom and sign up. It is that easy!

The number of events diminish during the summer, but there are still things to do in our city. I encourage you to enjoy what we have to offer.

Be safe, everyone.

Karen