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  • 07/27/2021 11:34 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    As the delta variant spreads, the CDC is urging vaccinated Americans to resume wearing masks indoors.  That is a reversal of the CDC's May announcemnt that prompted vaccinated Americans to stop wearing face masks indoors.   Then COVID-10 cases were dropping and the delta variant had not gained a strong foothold in the US.  The delta variant is 1,99 times more transmissible than earlier versions of COVID-19.

    Currently, the US leads the world in the daily average number of new infections https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps.   The US accounts for one in every nine infections reported worldwide each day. The seven-day average for new cases is rising sharply and now at 57,126, still about a quarter of the pandemic peak.  Although vaccinated people are unlikely to become severly ill, they can get infected and spread the virus to others.

    Read more at The Washington Post

    Read more from Reuters at Yahoo News

  • 06/11/2021 8:57 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Many seniors found themselves stuck overseas during the pandemic, with boarders closed, international travel became very difficult.  Some, who still owned homes, returned back to the States, and others hunkered down wherever they happened to be. 

    But like most of us, these senior nomads, are interested in resuming their travels. 

    Read more about these international senior nomads at Next Avenue.  Next Avenue is program to meet the needs and unleash the potential of older Americans produced by Twin Cities PBS.

  • 05/30/2021 11:56 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Most Americans over 65 are now fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus and the majority of our children are well on their way to getting vaccinated. But what about your grandchildren?

    Children 12 to 17 are now eligible to receive the vaccine.  Kids are getting vaccinated before summer camp and schools are encouraging vaccination before the fall semester begins.  

    As of May 30, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been given emergency authorization for children 12 to 17 by the FDA.  Emergency authorization is expected  in the next few months for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson  vaccines. The dosage of the Pfizer two-shot vaccine for children 12 to 17 years of age  is the same as that given to adults.   Kids can get the shot in a variety of locations, including their pediatrician’s office, pharmacies, and school-based clinics. 

    The New York Times provides more answers about the COVID-19 Vaccine and kids.

  • 05/20/2021 10:34 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This week the EU announced that Europe would be open for vaccinated Americans.  But before you make your travel arrangements, check the entry requirements in the country you hope to visit.  You don't need to pretest before departing the U.S., but, your destination most likely requires a negative COVID-19 test before can enter.  Some still require a 14 day quarantine upon arrival.

    The U.S. State Department recommends that you not travel until you are fully vaccinated.  

    Remember, there are  also restrictions when you want to come back from your trip abroad.  All airline passengers over two years old travelling into the U.S. from abroad, including U.S. citizens, must produce a negative viral test for COVID-19 taken within the last three days before boarding the flight.  

    Unvaccinated travelers traveling abroad face more requirements:

    • pretest one to three days before leaving the United States
    • get the mandatory test before their return flight
    • be tested three to five days after they return home
    • advised to self-quarantine for seven days after return to U.S.  

    Read more from The New York Times

  • 05/17/2021 10:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that fully vaccinated people can be indoors and outdoors without wearing masks except when in health care settings, on public transportation, or in specified areas where masks are required.  Local government mask rules and rules followed by retailers and other establishments will determine how this change is applied locally.  

    The CDC advises, if you’ve been fully vaccinated:

    • You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace and local businesses.
    • If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.  Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required to get tested 3 days before travel by air into the United States (or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip.
    • You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
    • People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their activities. They may need to keep taking all precautions to prevent COVID-19.

    Read the latest guidelines from the CDC here 

  • 05/07/2021 10:11 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Good news – In most cases, there’s no blood donation deferral time if you receive a COVID-19 vaccine. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer is important in determining your eligibility to donate blood.

    Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine will need to provide the manufacturer name when they donate. Upon vaccination, individuals will receive a card or printout indicating what COVID-19 vaccine was received, and we encourage vaccinated people to bring that card with them to their next donation. In most cases, there is no deferral time for individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine as long as they are symptom free and feeling well at the time of donation.  

    The following eligibility guidelines apply to each COVID-19 vaccine received, including second doses:

    • There is no deferral time for eligible blood donors who have received a COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized in the U.S. including J&J, Moderna and Pfizer.
    • Eligible blood donors who do not know what type of COVID-19 vaccine they received must wait two weeks before giving blood.
    • If you have further eligibility questions, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

    Read the whole story at Red Cross

  • 04/27/2021 9:08 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    CDC announced that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks outdoors in most situations, including; when walking, running, hiking, or biking alone, or with members of their household: or if they attend small outdoor gatherings.  CDC said masks should still be worn by all in large public spaces and in social gatherings where you don't know whether everyone has been vaccinated.  Adults are still cautioned to wear a mask when indoors with individuals who are not members of your household. 

    For more information check out the CDC website


  • 04/15/2021 10:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    During the week of April 4th,  the American Red Cross saw the lowest blood donor turnout since the pandemic began more than a year ago. As the nation transitions to a new, hopeful phase of this devastating pandemic, blood donations remain essential to the health of our communities.

    The Red Cross urges eligible individuals who are feeling well to please make an appointment today to give by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS.

    Read the full story on RedCross.org


  • 04/02/2021 12:23 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The CDC released a report on March 31, 2021 listing coronavirus as the third leading underlying cause of U.S. deaths in 2020.  The first two leading causes of death were cancer and heart disease.  In 2020, COVID-19 deaths accounted for about 11 percent of U.S. deaths.  In 2020, nearly 3.4 million individuals died in the U.S., and increase of 15.9 percent from 2019.

    Read the full report posted on the CDC website.

  • 04/02/2021 12:02 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    If you are fully vaccinated, the CDC has said you can travel with low risk to yourself, but should continue with precautions-wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hands frequently.  However,  you need to check the rules at your destination to see if you will need a negative coronavirus test before getting on the plane, and, if you will need to quarantine upon arrival. 

    If you travel internationally, you should have a negative coronavirus test before boarding your return flight to the United States.

    Check out the CDC Travel guidelines

    Read more at the New York Times.

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