Statewide COVID Concern Level: ● High

WI COVID deaths in last week: 7

November 10, 2022

Dear Friends:

Deep in the work plan for this program, we have an item that says we will build and equip "a network of public health allies in local faith communities which will be able to respond effectively to future outbreaks of COVID and other epidemics."

That project was scheduled to start in 2023, "after the peaks of the COVID crisis begin to wane." We're not exactly done with COVID, of course, but the crisis does seem to have settled into more of a steady state. (Knock on wood, cross fingers, say a quick prayer.)

So it seems like we might be able to move into this new phase a little ahead of schedule.

The first step in that process is to expand the horizons of this newsletter. It is one of our most valuable assets, and certainly one with a lot of potential for network building.

I'll have some items of interest for you in just a moment, then, but first, I'll ask you to take the poll below. You're likely to hear about all of these topics, without abandoning our focus on COVID. But it would be helpful to know where to start. What would you like to hear more about?

If you have other ideas, please don't hesitate to write in and let me know. I love reader mail!

Now for those items of interest.

• Never let it be said that we bring you nothing but bad news. According to AP, the World Health Organization reports that COVID deaths around the world are down 90% since February. As WHO points out, that's still nearly 10,000 deaths a week, which is too many. It's probably also an undercount, given the end of surveillance and testing in many places. We'll take it nonetheless.

• More good news: Paxlovid may reduce the risk of long COVID for some patients. More studies need to be done, but this would be a great result if it holds up.

• This Twitter thread outlines what seems like a solid approach to us: "When writing to a school about ventilation, I don't mention COVID at all. It carries a lot of baggage. Focus on minimum standards first. Everyone can accept that poor ventilation results in poor academic outcomes. It's been proven, over and over." Improved ventilation in churches may not raise test scores, but it could have significant impact on the transmission of flu, colds and RSV, as well as energy savings.

• Speaking of colds, flu and RSV, though: they're skyrocketing. Some health experts say we may be facing a "tripledemic" with flu, RSV and COVID. The rise in RSV is worrying for two reasons. First, it's a particular threat to young children, whose lungs struggle to clear fluid buildup, and to the elderly. Second, while a RSV vaccine is in development, it's not yet ready for release. It's also a huge concern because there's a shortage of pediatric beds available around the nation.

The good news, such as it is, is that all the same precautions we take to prevent COVID—distancing, masking, frequent handwashing—work against the flu and RSV as well. As the weather gets colder, I'd certainly think about bringing back some of those practices, particularly in Sunday School programming.

One more thing to ask of you before we wrap up: if you like this newsletter, please feel free to forward it to others or encourage them to subscribe. It's free, it's fair, it's good information! And remember: you're always welcome to reprint or share anything you find here. All we ask is that you credit the source.

Stay safe and stay together,

Rev. Daniel Schultz

Community Health Program Director

Upcoming Clinics:

• Casa de Oracion Adonai Inc, Milwaukee 11/12
• Zion Lutheran, Ashippun 11/17
• Platteville UMC, 12/6

Clinics since 9/21: 225 Vaccinations since 9/21: 3218