Talking Points include Key information to communicate whenever possible and an elevator pitch - as well as common questions and answers:

• All healthcare workers and employees in congregate settings will be required to have a booster by February 1, 2022.
• In the interim, all healthcare workers and employees in congregate settings will be required to test twice weekly until they receive a booster.

Sonoma County is reporting nearly 80 cases a day detected among fully vaccinated persons. The current case rate for unvaccinated persons is 51.9, and for vaccinated persons 7.9, per 100,000 residents. Nearly all of the 418 reported Covid deaths in Sonoma County have been unvaccinated residents. In response, Sonoma County has joined 4 other Bay Area counties in re-instating mask requirements in all indoor public settings. Dr. Mase also recommends surgical masks be worn, rather than cloth masks.

Some Pandemic viruses disappear, (SARS-CoV hasn't been seen in humans since 2003). "On the other hand, pandemic viruses may also gradually settle into a relatively stable occurrence, maintaining a constant pool of infected hosts capable of spreading the virus to others". These viruses, such as the common cold and seasonal flu are 'Endemic' viruses.

The clock starts the day you test positive:

● An infected person should go into isolation for five days, not the previously recommended 10.

● At the end of five days, a person with no symptoms can return to normal activities but must wear a mask everywhere — even at home around others — for at least five more days.

● If a person still has symptoms after isolating for five days, they must stay home until they feel better, and then start five days of wearing a mask at all times.

Regarding quarantine, now only exposed persons who are fully vaccinated and have received a booster may skip quarantine, and then only if they wear a mask in all settings for at least 10 days.

(This guidance is in keeping with increasing evidence that people are most infectious 2 days before and 3 days after symptoms develop).

PCR v. Antigen Tests - Help explaining the difference to clients:

Possibly more than you wanted to know about Covid tests -



Key Takeaways:

• A PCR test amplifies genetic material to detect a miniscule amount of Covid in a sample. The test is nearly 100% accurate, but it must be completed in a lab - it takes time to get the result.

• An Antigen test treats a sample with salt and soap to break apart the cells, and applies that to a test strip with antibodies. It's cheaper and faster (anyone can do it). Early infection can be missed because there isn't enough virus present to detect.

And 2 More Resources:

UPDATE on detecting Omicron with Rapid Antigen Tests:

A Tool for understanding test sensitivity and accuracy:

"Alex, a happy, smiling, nearly 2-year-old boy, was born in February 2020. By the time he turned 1, his development was noticeably behind.

His older siblings, 5 and 7, tried to play with him, but he couldn’t do much. His muscles were weak, and he wasn’t babbling much. Still their exchanges would make Alex laugh, delighting all three kids.  

The pregnancy and delivery had followed the same pattern as his siblings. The big difference was that Alex was born during the early throes of COVID-19, just two weeks before the WHO declared a global pandemic."