Greetings Relatives,
The transition this past equinox from summer to autumn brought us a relief of cooler weather from the unusually high temperatures of the summer months. As the harvest season is upon us, may our communities stay nourished and well. The clean indoor air advocacy seeded in the prior year is bringing the harvest of work like the Johns Hopkins Model State Indoor Air Quality Act, stating, “The premier objective is to produce a cohesive set of legislative provisions that achieve tangible improvements in IAQ in public indoor spaces in the interests of improved health, greater worker productivity, and increased economic well-being." This model can serve as a resource for not only states but also Tribal Nations looking to update indoor air quality standards and lead in the clean indoor air revolution.
Recently the developments in understanding the airborne spread of viruses like the flu and COVID-19 are a topic of research. "We kind of accept respiratory diseases right now, like colds and flu, as a way of life — but maybe we don't have to… Maybe if we do start paying more attention to cleaning our indoor air, we could really reduce the burden that it places on our health and society.”-Virginia Tech's Linsey Marr, project director of MITIGATE FLU.
Biobot analytics data tracking and CDC COVID-19 wastewater surveillance data tracker show a slight decrease in the West, Midwest, and South regions. This past September, there were more comfortable temperatures and time spent outdoors, as well as an increase in mitigation efforts across the U.S. As we prepare for winter and spend more time gathering with our communities indoors for celebrations, ceremonies and cooking our harvest foods, it is more critical than ever to implement mitigation tools like getting vaccinated, using air purifiers, high-quality masks, and ventilation to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and all airborne viruses. Long COVID survivors and their families especially are calling on their communities to make spaces more accessible. Read more here Long COVID Isolates Sick People and Their Loved Ones.
To access county-level wastewater data (scroll down to “Filter by State to View Counties”), which provides more detailed information about your local COVID-19 situation. The World Health Organization shared a graphic in regard to classroom ventilation on October 4.
In this article on the ‘back-to-school surge’ Epidemiology professor Denis Nash at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health says, “It’s important to pay attention to what’s going on around you…if people in your workplace, or social circle are getting sick, that means it’s around you, and it’s time to think about taking certain precautions in social situations.” He also recommends taking precautions if you are in regular contact with school-age kids.
Starting September 25, US households can once again place an order to receive 4 more rapid antigen tests delivered directly to their homes free of charge. A reminder to test 5 days after a known exposure. You can also order 6 free tests through Test2treat.org. If you are early in your COVID-19 infection or experiencing an asymptomatic infection, you may very well still test negative on a rapid antigen test. With rapid antigen tests, the FDA recommends serial testing in 48-hour intervals. When using rapid tests to attend events, to exit quarantine, or in other situations where one may be experiencing asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic COVID-19, it is especially important to take at least 2 tests over a 48-hour period and to use a high-quality mask (such as an N95, KN95, or KF94) in public and communal spaces until at least a second or third test is cleared. It also remains important to take samples from both the back of the throat and the nose for maximum detection rate.
The newest COVID-19 booster was approved in mid-September for everyone 6 months and older. However, its rollout has been rocky, with many people not being able to find access weeks after approval due to complications from the move to privatizing vaccine access. Indian Health Service is expected to have the updated Pfizer and Moderna vaccines by mid-late October for distribution. The CDC’s Bridge Access Program is available for those who are uninsured or underinsured until December 2024 at participating pharmacies, you can visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ to find a pharmacy near you.
Novavax protein-based updated vaccine was approved on October 3 for all persons 12 and over. Previously, it had only been approved for people who had not yet received an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/Moderna) and had been limited in access. Call your local pharmacy and ask them if they will be offering the updated Novavax vaccine now that it is approved for all over 12 years old. This will help encourage pharmacies to order it and increase vaccine access for everyone in your area. It will be necessary for those eligible to get the updated boosters to reduce the risk of severe outcomes in the context of waning immunity.
Events
Thank you for joining us for the Collective Healing: Plant Medicine Allies to Support Long COVID Survivors and Collective Grief, Now and Into the Future. The recording is now available on the NIWRC website: Watch Here!
In the News!
NIWRC COVID Technical Assistance Specialist, Marquel Musgrave
Interviewed on the Richard Eeds Radio Show about the efforts to establish a COVID-19 Memorial in New Mexico.
Take Action
Campaign for Safe Healthcare
Peoples CDC ADA Health Rights Workshop (PDF)
Share this video narrated by children as an educational resource for the community on understanding how to clean the indoor air: A Totally Serious Animation about Improving Indoor Air Quality in Schools.
Collective Healing
COVID Peer Led Grief Gathering, Second Tuesday of Every Month.
Updated Guidance on Ventilation
The CDC also made a critical update by launching new guidance and an interactive tool for ventilation to prevent the transmission of airborne viruses.
Read more at the NIWRC COVID Resource Hub!
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