COVID-19 Updates: October 14, 2020 |
|
|
|
Free Flu Shots and COVID-19 Testing Event! |
|
|
|
|
|
There will be a COVID-19 testing event Saturday, October 17th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will also be FREE Flu Shots during this event!
Where: Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church
1701 Jimmy Ed Road E
Hurdle Mills, NC 27541
When: Saturday October 17th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Anyone is welcome to come for a test. Registration is on site and COVID-19 tests and flu shots are FREE. For the full testing calendar as well as more information about COVID-19 testing sites, please visit: http://www.orangecountync.gov/Testing
Links to Flyers:
More information about COVID-19 testing: https://www.orangecountync.gov/Testing |
|
|
|
|
|
Early Voting in Orange County Begins October 15th |
|
|
|
|
|
The Orange County Board of Elections, in conjunction with the Orange County Health Department, Public Libraries and Community Relations Department, has created a video about the in-person voting process for the upcoming Presidential election.
The video features the six Early Voting sites and a demonstration of the safety protocols that will be in place during early voting and on Election Day.
The video is in English, Spanish and Chinese and can be found on the library’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/OCNCPublicLibraries. “We are doing all we can to ensure you can vote safely in Orange County,” said Rachel Raper, Orange County Elections Director.
Each voting location during early voting and on Election Day will feature enhanced cleaning protocols, social distancing and single-use pens and single-use cotton swabs for voters, Raper said. Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 15. |
|
|
|
|
|
Census Bureau Statement on
2020 Census Data Collection Ending |
|
|
|
|
|
OCT. 13, 2020 — As of today, well over 99.9% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census. Self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude on October 15, 2020.
Specifically: - Internet self-response will be available across the nation through October 15, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST), (through 5:59 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 16, 2020). Visit 2020Census.gov to respond today.
- Phone response will be available for its regularly scheduled time on October 15, 2020. Click here for schedule and a list of numbers.
- Paper responses must be postmarked by October 15, 2020.
- Non-response Follow-up census takers will continue resolving non-responding addresses through the end of the day on October 15, 2020.
The U.S. Census Bureau is currently updating 2020Census.gov, Census.gov, as well as all external and internal guidance to reflect the schedule update. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mask myth debunked: Face coverings don't hurt lung function or cause CO2 buildup |
|
|
|
|
|
Oct. 2, 2020, 4:49 AM EDT By Erika Edwards |
|
|
|
Contrary to viral claims, wearing surgical masks or cloth face coverings does not restrict the amount of oxygen a person breathes in, nor does it cause a dangerous buildup of carbon dioxide, according to a study published Friday in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
The study, though small, should help to further ease fears that masks are somehow physically harmful when, indeed, experts say mask use is by far one of the most effective ways to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The study of masks' impact on lung function was inspired, researchers said, by a group of West Palm Beach, Florida, residents who expressed anger at a commissioners meeting in late June when local leaders ultimately voted to mandate masks.
Some residents argued against the order, suggesting that wearing masks could lead people to inhale too much carbon dioxide. At least one other resident said without evidence that masks were "literally killing people."
Dr. Michael Campos, a pulmonologist affiliated with the Miami VA Medical Center and the University of Miami Hospital and Clinics, was watching the meeting on television and decided to do a study to determine whether masks have an impact on breathing.
Campos and colleagues tested the effects of wearing a typical surgical mask on the body's ability to take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.
Fifteen study participants were military veterans with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Their lung function was below 50 percent. The volunteers were then compared with 15 other people who served as healthy controls.
All participants wore masks for about 30 minutes and then walked for 6 minutes, still wearing the face coverings. Using standard blood tests, researchers found no differences in levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide circulating in any of the participants' systems.
In fact, experts say, people with underlying breathing problems like COPD may be best served by wearing masks.
"If you have a respiratory disease, you're at a much higher risk of contracting an infection, whether it's Covid-19 or the flu or any other respiratory problems," said Dr. Farrah Kheradmand, a pulmonologist and professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, who was not involved with the research.
The study included basic surgical masks that are now widely available. It did not study N95 masks, which are recommended for health care workers.
Citing growing evidence that people can spread the coronavirus even if they do not have symptoms, the study authors wrote that "universal mask use needs to be vigorously enforced in community settings, particularly now that we are facing a pandemic with minimal proven therapeutic interventions."
"We believe our data will help mitigate fears about the health risks of surgical mask use and improve public confidence for more widespread acceptance and use." |
|
|
|
|
|
Ways to Cheer on Our Tar Heels Safely
This Football Season |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s hard to believe football season is here! Even though it will look completely different than previous seasons, we all want to cheer our team to victory.
Kickoff at Kenan Stadium is Saturday, September 12 at noon, but no tailgating is allowed on campus and no fans will be allowed to watch our Tar Heels battle the Syracuse Orange. That means we have to skip watching Football in a Forest and observe our game day traditions a little differently. Be sure to check out Carolina Athletics’ Carolina Gameday Home Edition and here are some tips for supporting the squad safely:
Watch or listen to the game.
We all wish we could be in Kenan to watch the start of Coach Brown’s 2nd/12th season at Carolina, but we can be their in spirit by tuning in to our community radio station, 97.9 The Hill, or the ACC Network. If you don’t have the ACC Network and feel comfortable watching the game with a mask at a restaurant, check out the game plan at The Top of the Hill or tailgate off campus with members of your household or safely outside with Carolina Athletics’ partner Tailgate Guys or with tailgating packages from Hickory Tavern. Up your “homegating” game with an assist from Johnny T-Shirt’s collection and let everyone know that “Mack is Back” with accessories from SallyMack.
Pick your teammates.
As fans, our opponent is COVID-19 and we don’t need a full offensive or defensive line to emerge victorious. We know that you have a deep bench of friends, but we’re asking you to limit your squad to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hang out with a limited group of people. If you’re cheering in Orange County, remember that our rules differ from the Governor’s order: gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people orders. Read more about personal and social activities from the CDC and visiting with friends and family at UNC Health Talk.
Show your school colors.
Our team and our small businesses need your support. That’s why it’s so important to buy new Carolina gear locally. Many stores have online ordering or curbside pickup. Check out Johnny T-Shirt, Chapel Hill Sportswear, Shrunken Head, Alumni Hall and the other shops that are open in downtown Chapel Hill. It’s also critical that you wear protective equipment (like the team) and ensure you have a face covering. Continue to show your school spirit every day with a Tar Heel-themed mask from Johnny T-Shirt, Shrunken Head, or the Carolina Athletics store.
Cheer quietly, sing to yourself and wash your hands.
You’re going to see some incredible plays. But we’re going to urge you to cheer on our Heels carefully. We know that the coronavirus (and a lot of other germs) spread when we shout or sing. Even if you’re wearing a mask, skip the loud celebrations as much as possible. And resist the temptation to high-five and chest bump, too, as another defensive strategy to fight the spread. One way to keep your hands busy is to cheer with a pom-pom. Stock up on hand sanitizer and support local businesses at the same time by sourcing from check out TOPO Distillery, Be Pure Beauty in Carrboro, and Bath and Body Works at University Place).
Stay hydrated.
Remember to drink lots of water to stay healthy. If you’re 21 or older and are enjoying adult beverages, alternate water and your drink. If you want to stock up for your at-home, safe, masked game watch party, order your beverage for curbside pickup or delivery: Follow these tips to *safely* cheer our team to victory. Go Heels and beat COVID! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pandemic Panel:
COVID 19 and its impact on BIPOC Communities |
|
|
|
|
|
The Latinx Caucus and Black Caucus at the UNC School of Social Work are hosting a panel on COVID and how it's impacting black and brown communities across the state specifically focusing on topics such as mental health, community support, and service delivery.
The webinar will be held on October 21, 2020 at 6pm
To register, please visit the link below: |
|
|
|
|
|
Orange County Parents: Survey Opportunity |
|
|
|
|
|
Are you a parent of elementary or middle school children in Orange County? Please take just 5 minutes out of your day to answer this anonymous survey about your habits in quarantine. This survey, created by students at UNC, will help Orange County Health Department understand more about COVID-19 effects on parents and their children.
Fill out the survey here:
If you respond to the survey by Friday, Oct. 16, you will be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card. AND if you sign up for a short, follow-up interview, you will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. |
|
|
|
|
|
Orange County Diabetes Prevention class |
|
|
|
|
|
This program is a 16-week class to help people who have pre-diabetes or who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes make realistic and achievable lifestyle changes that can cut their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 50%. |
|
|
|
|
|
North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 236,407 COVID-19 cases, 3,856 deaths, and 1,152 hospitalizations, as of October 14, 2020. For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day at noon), please visit the NCDHHS website.
Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county. The dashboard will be updated every Tuesday and Thursday.
There are currently 2,874 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 57 deaths.
|
|
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Community Resources
For more information on COVID-19 community resources in the county, please visit our webpage. Resources on specific topic areas, such as food access, education, housing, and others, are all accessible on our website, or at the links below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
