Are you looking for creative ideas to get kids involved with eating healthy? For help with healthy eating goals of all ages try this simple app from My Plate called “Start Simple with MyPlate”.
Fall also brings along the subject of Flu Shots. I know most of us didn’t expect in March we would be talking about Covid and flu at the same time. Most of you have probably already gotten or plan to get your Flu vaccine. For those of you who are wondering if you should get it, the scientists and medical professionals agree this is the year to get it. This is also the best time to get the shot. The flu usually peaks between December and February. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions from Betty Long of Guardian Nurses:
How long does it take before the flu shot works or starts to protect me?
After getting the flu shot, antibodies begin building right away, it takes about 2 weeks to build up antibodies to reach the full level of protection.
Getting vaccinated at the beginning of fall allows ample time to build up immunity that will last through the worst months of flu season.
How long will the flu shot actually protect me?
Infectious disease doctors and epidemiologists say that you probably get about six months of coverage.
Why is it so important to get the flu shot this year? Will it protect me from COVID-19 too?
No, the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19. But it's important to protect yourself from the flu for several reasons…
The flu often takes an enormous toll on our healthcare system, so it's critically important that people do what they can to reduce their chances of getting it. Otherwise, hospitals and healthcare facilities could become overwhelmed if they need to treat both flu and COVID-19 patients.
It is particularly important this year that those with high-risk conditions receive the flu vaccine so that we are not utilizing critical hospital beds for flu that may be used for those with COVID.
In addition, it's not yet known whether people will become co-infected with both flu and COVID-19 at the same time — and what the consequences of that combination could be.
Timing is especially important for people 65 years old and greater who don’t build up the same level of immunity or antibodies and who might not have immunity for as many months. Seniors also require a high-dose vaccine, which is available wherever you get your standard flu shot.
Thank you again for all of your cooperation with wearing masks in the church. It was recently brought to my attention that the masks with the one-way valves are not recommended by the CDC, as they protect the person wearing them but not the people around them. It is recommended that people who use this type wear another mask when they are around others. We have disposable ones at church if you need them when you are here. For more information please refer to this link
Cloth mask? Disposable mask? Gaiter? With so many different kinds of face coverings available, it may seem overwhelming to figure out which one will provide the best protection against the coronavirus. "It’s not the case that any mask is better than nothing. There are some masks that actually hurt rather than do good," says Dr. Martin Fischer, Ph.D., an associate research professor in the departments of chemistry and physics at Duke. He also noted gaiters could actually be "counterproductive" because there were more particles in the air after speaking through the gaiter than after not wearing a mask. One simple method to test your mask is the candle test, popularized by US science educator Bill Nye. If you can blow out a candle while wearing your mask, that's a fail. It means your mask doesn't adequately stop the flow of air. If you can blow air out, air can also leak inward just as easily.
The virus is carried on water droplets expelled when infected people talk, cough and sneeze. If these droplets land on your mask, you want the outer layer to repel them. That is also why you should not touch the front of your mask. You can test a non-approved surgical mask or cloth mask at home for water resistance. If a drop of water on the outside surface is absorbed straight away, that's a fail. If the drop forms a bead, the mask is water-resistant. The best masks have more than one layer to provide added protection.
And for more fun it is open enrollment for Medicare and many other insurances. This is an important time to review your insurance and make sure it is meeting your needs. You can contact Medicare directly by phone or on their website, or you can go to a Medicare insurance specialist that will guide you in reviewing plans. If you need help with this please see Dawn.
Reminders:
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Meal ministry - Soup - It is soup time of year again. If you would like to make a non-spicy soup to add to our ministry please let us know. We will supply the containers and instructions.
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Temperature volunteers - Thank you to my group of helpers on Sunday mornings! We could use a few other helpers to take temps if you would be available once in a while on Sunday morning. It is easy and a great way to say hello to everyone!
As we continue along this journey, I find myself looking for all the “silver linings” we have been given during this trying time. One silver lining for sure is that people of all ages have learned important lessons in infection control and proper hand washing, which should translate to much less illness this winter and moving forward!
I look forward to seeing your friendly masked faces again! May you continue to be blessed with peace, strength, hope and good health for the coming days.
- Dawn and your health ministry team
