In the News: get your flu shot now; COVID-19 vaccine will be a wait

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

 

"Think of the doctors and nurses dealing with COVID-19 on a daily basis.

That was Gov. Charlie Baker’s message Thursday after he got a flu shot at a Roslindale CVS and pressed Massachusetts residents to get vaccinated against the flu this fall, which he said will be critical to prevent overburdening the state’s health care system with the flu and COVID-19, which share many symptoms.

Baker has mandated that students in Massachusetts, from pre-school to college, and kids who participate in child care programs, must get their flu vaccine by the end of 2020 but said Thursday that it’s important that others elect to get a flu shot too. The governor said health care workers began talking with his team about a month ago about what it would mean to have flu activity peak at the same time as a second surge of COVID-19 cases. April’s surge in COVID-19 cases came after the bulk of activity associated with the last flu season.

“The point they made to us at that time was from a diagnostic point of view, from a care delivery point of view, from a capacity point of view, having the flu and COVID-19 surge in the commonwealth at exactly the same time would be an incredibly difficult situation for them to manage their way through and they urged us to step up our game — which is already pretty good relative to most of the states around the country — on flu vaccines,” Baker said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200918/baker-flu-shot-push-based-on-health-care-feedback?rssfeed=true

 

"FOR MONTHS, a quarantine-weary, virus-ridden nation has been waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s become the endgame, the antidote to all the death and economic destruction the virus has caused. Massachusetts’s final reopening stage, referred to as the “new normal,” is predicated on having an effective treatment or vaccine.

But experts are beginning to rein in the sky-high expectations, warning that a vaccine will not be the silver bullet that allows us to suddenly remove our masks and once again hug our friends.
“I don’t think we’re going back to normal any time soon, vaccine or no vaccine,” said Shira Doron, hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center. “It’s not going to be like everyone gets vaccinated on Monday, nobody has to wear masks Tuesday.”

Todd Ellerin, director of infectious diseases at South Shore Health, echoes that caution. “Many experts don’t think that the vaccine alone is going to get us out of the pandemic,” he said. "

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/covid-19-vaccine-unlikely-to-be-a-silver-bullet/

Gov Baker's press conference on Thursday:  https://youtu.be/kUOGMYLhVYs 

Getting a flu shot is more important than ever this year

The best way to protect against the flu is to get the flu shot.

Why it's important to get your flu shot this year Now more than ever, we all need to do our part to prevent the spread of illnesses. The best way to protect yourself from getting the flu and keep you from spreading it to others is to get vaccinated. Once per flu season, flu shots are covered for people with Medicare, when you get it from your doctor, pharmacy, or other health care provider that accepts Medicare or your Medicare plan. All places offering flu shots should be following CDC guidance to ensure you have a safe place to get vaccinated. This includes that patients wear a face covering and maintain social distance in areas like waiting rooms. Visit CDC.gov for more information on how to safely get a flu shot during the pandemic. Sincerely, The Medicare Team For additional info = https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/flu-shots This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

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FM #340 Board of Health Mtg - 9/02/20 (audio)

FM #340 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 340 in the series.

This session shares the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 2, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Vice-Chair Tim Cochrane opened the meeting and reviewed the usual protocol for conduct of such remote meetings. Chair Bridget Sweet did join the call as it started and also left at 5:30 PM (about 30 minutes in).

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda, the Board of Health page, and my notes from the meeting. 

The meeting runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrcKgsTK

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Meeting agenda

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-ma-board-of-health-agenda-sep.html 

My meeting notes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/board-of-health-recap-sep-2-2020.html 

Board of Health page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

M #340 Board of Health Mtg - 9/02/20 (audio)

"When people stopped wearing masks in 1919 there was a resurgence"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin: 

"Just as Linda Hixon and Shawn Driscoll were finishing their book, “The Grip: The 1918 Pandemic and a City Under Siege,” last winter, another pandemic hit.

They believe that after more than 100 years have passed, the United States should have learned more about how to protect itself from COVID-19.

“I’d have to say we’ve learned nothing from the 1918 pandemic,” Hixon said. “We should have and we can, but we didn’t.”

Driscoll said the 1918 flu pandemic should have taught everyone that local, state and federal governments need to work together to implement safety measures, and decide when to shut down and reopen businesses and schools. But somehow it didn’t.

“I don’t think we’re truly taking the lessons that need to be learned from 1918-19 and applying them to the 21st century,” he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200901/book-collaboration-explores-impact-1918-flu-pandemic-had-on-milford-and-worcester?rssfeed=true

In the News: some protest against State flu shot requirement; case clusters arising from smaller gatherings

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Hundreds rallied outside the Massachusetts State House on Sunday to protest the state’s mandate for all of the Commonwealth’s students to receive a flu shot by the end of the year.

A sizable crowd had gathered on Beacon Street by 10 a.m.

People who were scheduled to speak at the protest told NewsCenter 5′s Josh Brogadir that they do not want to be known as “anti-vaccine,” but they do want to be able to make that decision for their children on their own.

On Aug. 19, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that flu shots will now be required for all students in the state’s schools, from child care through colleges. Students older than six months will have to be vaccinated by Dec. 31, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200830/hundreds-gather-at-state-house-to-protest-against-requirement-that-students-to-receive-flu-shot?rssfeed=true

"Images of packed beaches, lakes and bars have made the rounds on traditional and social media for much of the summer, drawing scorn from those concerned about the coronavirus spreading among those crowds.

Less prominent but also troubling are the growing instances of case clusters arising from smaller gatherings.

Contact tracing yields information about the sources of infections as the USA, by far the world leader in total COVID-19 cases and deaths, grapples with how to keep its population safe while propping up a flagging economy. More than 182,000 Americans have been killed by the disease.

The hasty reopening of businesses across much of the nation after the spring shutdown was largely blamed for a summer surge in infections, but social functions of various sizes among relatives, friends and co-workers may have been a contributing factor as well."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200830/its-not-always-bars-small-gatherings-can-have-big-covid-19-consequences?rssfeed=true

In the News: "Flu shot to be required for students"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin: 

"Students across all levels of schooling in Massachusetts will now be required to receive flu vaccines, a new mandate that state public health officials described as a step to reduce the impact of flu-related and respiratory illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The immunizations will be required from the age of 6 months on for attendees of Massachusetts child care programs, pre-schools, K-12 schools, and colleges and universities, the Department of Public Health announced Wednesday.

Students will need to get their flu vaccines by Dec. 31 for the 2020-21 flu season, unless they have a medical or religious exemption.

Home-schooled K-12 students and college students “who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only” will also be exempt, DPH said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200819/flu-shot-to-be-required-for-students?rssfeed=true

Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) tweeted at 6:01 PM on Wed, Aug 19, 2020:

A flu shot is now required for all children  6 months and older who attend Massachusetts child care, pre-school, K-12, and colleges and universities. Learn more: https://t.co/VGTRYv0qHC https://t.co/mWCjsZhv94

Franklin radar picked up
(https://twitter.com/MassDPH/status/1296205702625730562?s=03)

MA DPH requirements

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-

In the News: "Flu shot to be required for students"

Attention Franklin: Coronavirus Information Portals

Town of Franklin portal:

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal

Franklin Public Schools portal:

https://www.franklinps.net/district/pages/franklin-public-schools-covid-19-closure-information-portal

"flu season hasn’t even peaked"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Influenza rarely gets the sort of attention that coronavirus has, even though flu has already sickened at least 13 million Americans this winter and killed 6,600 people. In a bad year, the flu kills up to 61,000 Americans.

There’s a deadly virus spreading from state to state. It preys on the most vulnerable, striking the sick and the old without mercy. In just the past few months, it has claimed the lives of at least 39 children.

The virus is influenza, and it poses a far greater threat to Americans than the coronavirus from China that has made headlines around the world.

“When we think about the relative danger of this new coronavirus and influenza, there’s just no comparison,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and health policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. “Coronavirus will be a blip on the horizon in comparison. The risk is trivial.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200126/coronavirus-terrifies-us-but-another-virus-has-already-killed-6000-in-us

Can flu be treated?

Yes. There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu infection or suspected flu infection and who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), or heart disease.

Find out more about flu and treatments at the Centers for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/whatyoushould.htm

What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs

Flu Shot Clinic on October 18 at the Senior Center

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 10 AM - 12 Noon on Friday, Oct 18, 2019


Read more: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/flu_shot_clinic_10.2019_8.5_x_11_franklin_0.pdf

Flu Shot Clinic on October 18 at the Senior Center

Franklin Library: Impact of the 1918 Flu Epidemic - Apr 9

What was the impact of the 1918 flu epidemic? The talk is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 PM at the Franklin Library.

"The 1918 flu pandemic killed up to 100 million people worldwide in less than a year, disproportionately taking healthy young adults. The personal impact was devastating and wide-ranging, including immigration, families split apart, and openings for women in the workforce. This talk draws on stories and newspaper articles to explore the multi-faceted ways the 1918 flu epidemic impacted families, sometimes for generations. This talk will be presented by Genealogist Lori Lyn Price."

impact of the 1918 flu epidemic

In the News: Franklin Food Pantry opening for federal workers; flu season trending to be bad one

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Franklin Food Pantry opening for federal workers

"As the government shutdown continues, the Franklin Food Pantry this week is opening on two evenings specifically to offer food assistance to federal workers impacted by the shutdown. 

While the pantry is closed for its usual hours this week, volunteers will be on hand for shutdown-inspired shopping hours on Tuesday, Jan. 22 and Thursday, Jan. 24, 5-7 p.m. The distribution is for federal employees only, at the pantry at 43 West Central St., Franklin. 

Federal works do not need to make an appointment to come by, but they will be asked to show their federal ID badges. 

“With no end in sight to the shutdown, we hope to provide for these families for as long as they need us,” Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch said. “We will continue to work with the Greater Boston Food Bank and our local retail partners to maintain enough inventory to meet the need.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190121/franklin-food-pantry-holding-special-hours-for-federal-workers

Franklin Food Pantry opening for federal workers

flu season trending to be bad one

"Flu season is not looking particularly good in Massachusetts. 

Influenza activity is trending upward in Massachusetts and tracking slightly worse than last year, one of the most-challenging flu seasons in recent history. 

Public health officials reported a sharp increase in the number of flu and flu-like illnesses around the New Year, marking a trend likely to continue through the flu season that typically ends in March. 

“The flu season is well underway,” said Dr. Lawrence Madoff, director of the Epidemiology and Immunization Division at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. “It’s tracking very similar to last year’s season, which was a severe one.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190121/flu-season-looks-bad-in-massachusetts

Franklin Residents: REMINDER - Free Flu Shot Clinic on Monday October 22

The 2018 annual Flu shot clinic is scheduled for Oct 22 at the Franklin Senior Center.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WEKBVeufep3NobuOEUWdNCVCr1URihp2/view?usp=sharing

Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 22

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/free-flu-shot-clinic-october-22nd

Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 22

The 2018 annual Flu shot clinic is scheduled for Oct 22 at the Franklin Senior Center.

Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 22

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/free-flu-shot-clinic-october-22nd

Flu Clinic on October 17 at the Senior Center

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 9:30 - 11:30 AM on Thursday, Oct 17, 2017


Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/137443

Franklin Senior Center

Flu Clinic on October 17 at the Senior Center

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 9:30 - 11:30 AM on Thursday, Oct 17, 2017


Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/137443

Franklin Senior Center

Flu Clinic on October 17 at the Senior Center

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 9:30 - 11:30 AM on Thursday, Oct 17, 2017


Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/137443

Franklin Senior Center

Reminder: Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 20 at the Senior Center

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 1 - 3:00 PM on Thursday, Oct 20, 2016






This was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024D127F-000F8513

Franklin Senior Center

Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 20 at the Senior Center

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 1 - 3:00 PM on Thursday, Oct 20, 2016






This was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024D127F-000F8513

Franklin Senior Center

Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 20

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 1 - 3:00 PM on Thursday, Oct 20, 2016






This was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024D127F-000F8513

Franklin Senior Center

Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 13

For all Franklin residents 6 months or older

No copays

PLEASE

• Bring your insurance cards
• Wear a shortsleeved shirt

When?  Tuesday, Oct 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM

Where?  Franklin Senior Center

Franklin Senior Center

This was shared from the official Franklin page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_HealthNews/02211207-000F8513