LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: covid 19

  • Climate, pandemic conspire against hungry Ohioans

    Climate, pandemic conspire against hungry Ohioans

    BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal

    In addition to overseas wars and continuing supply-chain disruptions, diseases and climate-driven storms are making it hard to feed the hungriest Ohioans, Ohio’s top food bank official said Friday.

    And that’s even as continuing inflation is creating ever more of them, she said.

    “We’re just not seeing a return to normal at all,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. 

    Throughout the pandemic, Ohio’s food banks have seen record demand. Now, with costs of essentials like food and utilities continuing to increase, things are only getting worse. 

    “We thought we were at the high-water mark for demand,” Hamler-Fugitt said. “We’re way past that.”

    She said that in the quarter ending Sept. 30, Ohio’s overstretched food banks saw 50% more children than they had in the same quarter of an unusually busy 2021. They also saw 31% more seniors, she said.

    “Once people start getting these high heating costs, this will continue,” she said. “Seniors are just outliving their resources.”

    In addition, Putin’s war in Ukraine continues to keep grain and other agricultural products off the market and while gas prices are coming down, prices for the fuel mostly used to transport food — diesel — remain high. All those factors increase food prices at the same time that food banks are having to buy more because USDA food donations have been cut substantially.

    To help with those purchases, Gov. Mike DeWine in October announced that food banks would get $15 million in unexpended federal coronavirus funds — money that Hamler-Fugitt said is going to buy protein-rich food like beef, ham, poultry, eggs and dairy products. Last week, the legislature announced another $25 million for the food banks, which Hamler-Fugitt said would be evenly split between proteins and plant-based foods.

    But as the food suppliers of last result scramble to meet demand, mother nature seems to be conspiring against them.

    “Most of our vegetable production this time of year shifts to the South and the West Coast,” Hamler-Fugitt said.

    But things are not well in those regions.

    When Hurricane Ian hit Florida in September, it ruined an estimated 40% to 50% of the citrus crop and devastated the state’s bee colonies. California and Texas, both major producers and fruits and vegetables, continue to be gripped by drought. And a rash of late-season tornadoes are destroying crops in the Southeast.

    In addition, the coronavirus isn’t the only disease increasing food costs. An avian flu outbreak has impacted more than 44 million birds, trebled egg prices and also inflated the cost of Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys.

    All of which adds to the burden shouldered by foodbanks. Hamler-Fugitt acknowledged that she’s been appealing for help since the start of the pandemic and said she understands that covid fatigue set in long ago. But she said the number of hungry Ohioans is still growing.

    “We’re just bracing and hoping that something else doesn’t happen,” she said.

  • COVID-19 “High” in Butler and Clermont Counties

    COVID-19 “High” in Butler and Clermont Counties

    According to the CDC:

    In Clermont County, Ohio, the community level is High.

    In Butler County, Ohio, the community level is High.

    In Hamilton County, Ohio, the community level is Medium.

    In Warren County, Ohio, the community level is Medium.

    At all COVID-19 Community Levels (LOW, MEDIUM, AND HIGH):

    Green, yellow, and orange squares representing all COVID-19 Community Levels

    MEDIUM AND HIGH

    When the COVID-19 Community Level is Medium or High:

    • If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public
    • If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them
    Yellow- and orange-colored rectangles indicating medium and high COVID-19 Community Levels

    HIGH

    When the COVID-19 Community Level is High:

    • Wear a high-quality mask or respirator.
    • If you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.
    Orange-colored rectangles indicating high COVID-19 Community Level

    Community-Level Prevention Strategies

    LOW, MEDIUM, AND HIGH

    At all COVID-19 Community Levels:

    • Promote equitable access to vaccination, testing, masks and respirators, treatment and prevention medications, community outreach, and support services.
    • Ensure access to testing, including through point-of-care and at-home tests for all people.
    • Maintain ventilation improvements.
    • Provide communications and messaging to encourage isolation among people who test positive.

    WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE COVID-19

    WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE EXPOSED TO COVID-19

    Clermont County Public Health offers childhood COVID-19 vaccine clinics

    COVID-19 Testing Locations | Clermont County Public Health (ccphohio.org)

    COVID-19 Vaccine Info in Clermont County

    Vaccine and Testing Information for HamiltonCounty

    Vaccine information for Warren County

  • F.D.A approves COVID 19 booster dose for children 5 through 11

    F.D.A approves COVID 19 booster dose for children 5 through 11

    A Press Release of the FDA:

    On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, authorizing the use of a single booster dose for administration to individuals 5 through 11 years of age at least five months after completion of a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. 

    “While it has largely been the case that COVID-19 tends to be less severe in children than adults, the omicron wave has seen more kids getting sick with the disease and being hospitalized, and children may also experience longer term effects, even following initially mild disease,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “The FDA is authorizing the use of a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age to provide continued protection against COVID-19. Vaccination continues to be the most effective way to prevent COVID-19 and its severe consequences, and it is safe. If your child is eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and has not yet received their primary series, getting them vaccinated can help protect them from the potentially severe consequences that can occur, such as hospitalization and death.”   

    On Jan. 3, the FDA authorized the use of a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for administration to individuals 12 through 15 years of age after completion of primary vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Today’s action expands the use of a single booster dose of the vaccine for administration to individuals 5 through 11 years age at least five months after completion of a primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. The FDA has authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for use in individuals 5 years of age and older and has approved Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) for use in individuals 16 years of age and older.

    “The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is effective in helping to prevent the most severe consequences of COVID-19 in individuals 5 years of age and older,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Since authorizing the vaccine for children down to 5 years of age in October 2021, emerging data suggest that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 wanes after the second dose of the vaccine in all authorized populations. The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age at least five months after completing a primary series outweigh its known and potential risks and that a booster dose can help provide continued protection against COVID-19 in this and older age groups.”

    Data Supporting Effectiveness

    The EUA for a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age is based on FDA’s analysis of immune response data in a subset of children from the ongoing randomized placebo-controlled trial that supported the October 2021 authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine primary series in this age group. Antibody responses were evaluated in 67 study participants who received a booster dose 7 to 9 months after completing a two-dose primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. The antibody level against the SARS-CoV-2 virus one month after the booster dose was increased compared to before the booster dose.

    FDA Evaluation of Safety

    The safety of a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in this age group was assessed in approximately 400 children who received a booster dose at least five months (range 5 to 9 months) after completing a two-dose primary series. The most commonly reported side effects were pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain and chills and fever.

    The FDA did not hold a meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on today’s action, as the agency previously convened the committee for extensive discussions regarding the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines and, after review of Pfizer’s EUA request, the FDA concluded that the request did not raise questions that would benefit from additional discussion by committee members. The FDA will make available on its website relevant documents regarding today’s authorization. 

    The amendment to the EUA was granted to Pfizer Inc.
     

    Related Information

  • [VIDEO] Diane Fisher testifies to be a good daughter and son of Loveland’s Mother Earth

    [VIDEO] Diane Fisher testifies to be a good daughter and son of Loveland’s Mother Earth

    David Miller – Editor and Publisher

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland resident Diane Fisher testified at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on May 4 about the re-zoning of Grailville and a proposed new development near her home on Oak Street.

    Fisher started by expressing how nervous she was about speaking publicly, however, speaking softly and determined told why she chose to live in Loveland, “…enjoying the mental and physical, and spiritual health that being in nature provides.” Referring to the COVID 19 Pandemic she said that activities in nature have proven more important than ever to many people she knows.

    Fisher also noted that it wasn’t lost on her that the meeting was being held in both “No Mow May” and “Mental Health Awareness Month.”

    It wasn’t a rhetorical question Fisher then asked, “How many more lawns filled with pesticides and herbicides, should be allowed, invited, encouraged into our area.”

    “Each of us. Every person is a steward of our community,” Fisher challenged.

  • FDA Authorizes Second Booster Dose of Two COVID-19 Vaccines for Older and Immunocompromised Individuals

    FDA Authorizes Second Booster Dose of Two COVID-19 Vaccines for Older and Immunocompromised Individuals

    Today, the  U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals. https://bit.ly/3NuxvY6

    They previously authorized a single booster dose for certain immunocompromised individuals following completion of a three-dose primary vaccination series.

    This action will now make a second booster dose of these vaccines available to other populations at higher risk for severe disease, hospitalization and death according to a FDA news release.

    The emergency use authorizations was amended as follows:

    • A 2nd booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to people 50+ years old at least 4 months after receipt of a 1st booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
    • A 2nd booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to people 12+ years old with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a 1st booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
    • A 2nd booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the 1st booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to people 18+ years old with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise.

    Today’s announcement applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, and the authorization of a single booster dose for other age groups with these vaccines remains unchanged.

    READ the full news release HERE.

  • It’s official: Get free COVID test kits – Now order by phone

    It’s official: Get free COVID test kits – Now order by phone

    There’s a new federal resource to get free FDA-authorized coronavirus test kits. At COVIDtests.gov, you’ll find information about testing and a link to the U.S. Postal Service – special.usps.com/testkits – where you can order up to four rapid tests to be sent to your home address. Or order your kits by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Your kits will be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service within 7 to 12 days.

    The tests are completely free. There are no shipping costs, and you don’t have to give a credit card or bank account number. You only need to give a name and address. Once you place an order, you’ll get an order confirmation number. If you give your email address, you’ll also get an order confirmation email and delivery updates. Anyone who asks for more information than that is a scammer. So, remember:

    • Go to COVIDtests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to order your free COVID test kits from the federal government. Online, if you click to order, you’ll be redirected to special.usps.com/testkits. If you follow a link from a news story, double-check the URL that shows in your browser’s address bar.
    • No one will call, text, or email you from the federal government to ask for your information to “help” you order free kits. Only a scammer will contact you, asking for information like your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number. Do not respond. Instead, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    Please share this information with others

    If you spot a scammer offering COVID test kits, tell the FTC about it right away at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Or, file a complaint with your state or territory attorney general at consumerresources.org, the consumer website of the National Association of Attorneys General. Your reports can make a difference by helping us investigate, bring law enforcement cases, and alert people about what frauds to be on the lookout for so they can protect themselves, their friends, and family.

  • Loveland schools going remote Thursday and Friday

    Loveland schools going remote Thursday and Friday

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Because of COVID 19, Loveland City Schools will be in asynchronous learning on Thursday, January 13, and Friday, January 14.

    Teachers will be sending work home with their children at the end of their class day on Wednesday.

    Asynchronous learning means Thursday and Friday are still learning days for students, but they will be learning from home.

    Asynchronous learning is a term used to describe forms of education, instruction, and learning that do not occur in the same place or at the same time. 

    Superintendent Mike Broadwater said in a video message today that “Staff will be reporting to the buildings and be available to support students remotely.” He said that absences and illnesses have not only affected students, but also the teaching staff, bus drivers, food services, and custodial staff. He added that according to CDC guidelines that if a staff member tests positive for COVID 19 it means they must quarantine from the buildings or their workplace for 5-days.

    Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and the Martin Luther King Holiday will mean students will not be in the buildings for 5 straight days before returning on Tuesday, January 18.

    Broadwater announced that the District will not change its current mask policy when students return on January 18. The current mask policy is that masks are optional for grades 7 through 12. Masking is required in grades PreK through 6th.

    Despite this setback, the Superintendent added “I’m very proud of the fact that we have done such a good job at keeping our kids in school this year.

    At the beginning of each week, the Loveland City School District releases its latest Covid 19 Dashboard. Below is the first COVID 19 report issued by the District since students returned to classes after their Winter Break. This story lets you review all of the Dashboard reports for the school year.

    Loveland Schools Covid-19 Dashboard for January 9, 2022

    David Miller –  Jan 10, 2022

  • Loveland parents: “Hey all, It’s time to take our combined effort and show our Superintendent and School Board what is important.”

    Loveland parents: “Hey all, It’s time to take our combined effort and show our Superintendent and School Board what is important.”

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland parents Leah Marcus and Becca Moates say, “Hey all, It’s time to take our combined effort and show our Superintendent and School Board what is important.” They wrote a template letter, a petition, with the help of who they call a super IT friend to solicit support to help them protect school children, teachers, and the community by performing the following COVID 19 related steps.

    1. Read the below letter.
    2. Open your email client and start a new email by clicking this link.
    3. Copy the contents of the below template and paste it into the body of the email message. 
    4. Add your name and additilal comment to the bottom of the document.
    5. Share your voice by hitting send.

    Moates adds, “I can’t stress enough how important it is as a community for us to come together around this. Our healthcare systems are drowning and we are hurting our most vulnerable if we don’t act.”

    Dear Superintendent and School Board Members,

I am writing as a resident of the Loveland City School District to urge you, our Superintendent and elected School Board members, to maintain the all staff and PreK through 6th grade universal indoor masking requirements, scheduled to end January 18, 2021. I am also writing to request that the current universal indoor masking requirement be expanded to include students in grades 7 -12.

This request is being made in consideration of the recent COVID-19 Omicron variant case surge, which has been shown to be more transmissible and contagious than previous variants.

The Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Education, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, and locally, the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, recently provided clear guidance for universal masking in schools and in the community. Universal indoor masking, in addition to vaccination and boosters for those eligible, are strongly recommended as the best tools, especially when used in tandem, for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and the current variant.

The pandemic also continues to take a toll on our children’s and educators’ mental health. Since the pandemic began, rates of psychological distress among young people, including anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders have increased substantially. There is much to be done and each of us has a part to play. Supporting the mental health of youth will require a community effort to address challenges, strengthen the resilience of young people, support their families, and mitigate the pandemic’s mental health impact.

As a resident of the Loveland City School District, I am asking that you consider the following actions:

1. Maintain universal indoor masking for all staff.
2. Maintain Universal indoor masking for all students Pre-K through Grade 6.
3. Expand universal indoor masking requirements to include students in grades 7 - 12.
4. Identify a threshold for educator and/or student absence at which the district will move forward with a remote learning plan.
5. Increase the frequency with which you report to the public student and educator absences as well as individuals positive for COVID.
6. Create and promote safe, positive, and affirming school environments which are inclusive and supportive of student’s social, emotional, and cultural needs.
7. Provide key administrative, educator, and paraprofessional staff with the necessary training to recognize signs of changes in mental and physical health among students.
8. Provide Mental health gatekeeper training so that staff and peers take appropriate action when needed.
9. Support the mental health of all school personnel, including providing competitive wages, time off, access to well paid substitute teachers, regularly assessing staff well-being, and integrating measures to help personnel maintain their own empathy, compassion, and ability to create positive environments for students.

As superintendent and elected school board members, your roles include the evaluation of district operations, interpretations of public health policies, and health service delivery.

My role as a district resident is to help our district leadership identify the areas in need of protection, prioritization, and planning to keep Loveland City School District safe and in school: Universal Indoor Mask Requirements and adequate Mental Health Support for Students and Staff. 
 
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References for Information:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/omicrons-effect-wont-be-as-mild-as-hoped1/
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-coronavirus-cases-hit-record-high-2021-12-29/
https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-17/kansas-city-hospitals-are-full-again-omicron-has-arrived-and-doctors-are-begging-for-your-help
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/pdfs/mm7046a4-H.pdf
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/omicron-propagates-70-times-faster-than-delta-in-bronchi-study-69540
https://www.med.hku.hk/en/news/press/20211215-omicron-sars-cov-2-infection
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/28/health/chicago-childrens-hospital-surge-doctor-vaccines/index.html
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf
https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/our-youth-are-struggling-with-mental

    If you choose, please go to the original post: https://theweis01.github.io/?fbclid=IwAR05yFIugYOv7X3FjgC2wfho59WggZB7-_75SPbS777LcLykpWTBDXqDINE

  • All Hamilton County Public Library locations will continue operating on reduced hours

    All Hamilton County Public Library locations will continue operating on reduced hours

    All Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library locations will continue operating on reduced hours through January 17 due to COVID-19 staffing challenges.

    From January 7 – 17, hours will be:

    • Monday – Saturday from 10 AM – 6 PM
    • Locations with Sunday hours will remain open 1 – 5 PM
    • Please note all CHPL locations will be closed on Jan. 17 for MLK Day
    • The Virtual Information Center can be reached at 513-369-6900 and will remain open regular hours:
      • Sunday 1 – 5 PM
      • Monday – Thursday 9 AM – 9 PM
      • Friday & Saturday 9 AM – 6 PM

    “The well-being of our staff and community is important, and we will re-assess on January 14 to determine if we need to extend the temporary hours beyond Jan. 17. Thank you for your flexibility during these uncertain times.”

    The website is always available and you can stream and download materials 24/7. Staying at home and need some entertainment? Kanopy allows you to stream more than 3,000 free movies, documentaries, foreign and indie films, classic cinema, shorts, educational videos, and children’s programming.

  • No-Cost PCR Testing Sites in Hamilton County

    No-Cost PCR Testing Sites in Hamilton County

    From The Health Collaborative

    For information on vaccines and provider locations, visit healthcollab.org/vaccine-info.

    UPDATE:  The Test and Protect contract between Hamilton County and The Health Collaborative expires at the end of this year when CARES Act funding ends, but the testandprotectcincy.com website will continue to be updated with no-cost testing locations in our region. Hamilton County Commissioners allocated an additional $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan dollars to continue to fill gaps in testing in 2022. New locations will be announced soon.

    CDC New Testing Guidelines 12/27/2021

     

    No-Cost PCR Testing Sites

    Results from PCR testing are typically expected between 48 – 72 hours.

    Provider

    Address

    Appointment Info

    Notes

    CVS

    10+ stores in Hamilton County, 30 + stores in region

    Schedule online or call 1 (800) 679-9691

    PCR Drive-Thru Testing. Type of test varies by location, see website for details. Patients with insurance testing for travel and work requirements could be required to pay a copay. Please check with your provider.

    2805 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206

    Call (513) 815-4475 to schedule

    Limited appointment availability. Pre-screening required

    302 W 4th Street Parking, Covington, KY 41011

    Pre-registration encouraged. Walk-ins availalbe.

    PCR (same day) Drive-Thru Testing. Open 7 days/week

    2028 Florence Mall, Florence, KY 41042

    Pre-registration encouraged. Walk-ins availalbe.

    PCR (next day) Drive-Thru Testing. Open 7 days/week

    2332 Royal Drive, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017

    Pre-registration encouraged. Walk-ins availalbe.

    PCR (next day) Drive-Thru Testing

    1401 Steffen Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45215

    Call (513) 588-3623 to schedule

    PCR Drive-Thru Testing

    3 stores in region

    Schedule online

    PCR Drive-Thru Testing. See website for details

    2 stores in region

    Schedule online

    PCR Drive-Thru Testing. See website for details

    20+ stores in Hamilton County, 40 stores + in region

    Schedule online or call 1 (800) 925-4733

    PCR Drive-Thru Testing. See website for details

    1019 Linn Street Cincinnati, OH 45203

    Call (513) 233-7100 to schedule

    Rapid test screening. PCR available by doctor’s order

    1740 Langdon Farm Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237

    Call (513) 631-7100 to schedule

    Rapid test screening. PCR available by doctor’s order

    5275 Winneste Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45232

    Call (513) 242-1033 to schedule

    Rapid test screening. PCR available by doctor’s order

    No-Cost COVID-19 Home Test Kits

    Test kits are available at the following locations (while supplies last). See websites for details:

     To find out the different types of COVID-19 tests by visit the U.S. Food & Drug Administration or the Ohio Department of Health.

     

    Testing locations throughout Ohio: Ohio Department of Health.