Supervisor Patrick Kennedy Updates: COVID Vaccine/Testing Facts, WALKSacramento and SacRT Updates, Tree Grants, Older Adult Resources
Sacramento County, California sent this bulletin at 08/30/2021 01:21 PM PDT
COVID-19 Testing/Vaccination FAQs, Myths and Sources
As COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in the Sacramento region and across the state, increasing vaccination rates in our community remains the most powerful tool to ending the pandemic. With added FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine and vaccine clinics throughout the community, it’s easier than ever to get vaccinated. For those still on the fence about the COVID vaccine here are a few FAQs and myths.
- What does FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine mean?
The FDA has given full approval for the Pfizer vaccine (now called Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee) for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine will continue to be available under the EUA for youth age 12-15 and third dose for immunocompromised individuals. This approval means the vaccine has been through a rigorous review process and determined by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research that the provided benefits outweigh any known and potential risks for the intended population.
Learn more about the FDA approval.
- Can people that are vaccinated still get and spread COVID-19?
Yes, someone fully vaccinated could potentially still contract or even spread COVID-19. However, the vaccine is very effective against severe symptoms and disease and most notably, death. Those with less symptoms are also less likely to spread COVID-19. The vast majority of those that end up hospitalized or die from COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
- Can receiving a COVID-19 vaccine cause you to be magnetic?
No. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic, including at the site of vaccination which is usually your arm. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that can produce an electromagnetic field at the site of your injection. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals.
Learn more about the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccinations authorized for use in the United States.
- Do any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States shed or release any of their components?
No. Vaccine shedding is the term used to describe the release or discharge of any of the vaccine components in or outside of the body. Vaccine shedding can only occur when a vaccine contains a weakened version of the virus. None of the vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. contain a live virus. mRNA and viral vector vaccines are the two types of currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines available.
Learn more about mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines.
- Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?
Yes. If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, you may get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you. There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. In addition, there is no evidence that female or male fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines.
Learn more about vaccine safety.
- Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept.
Learn more about mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines.
- Will getting a COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test?
No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. If your body develops an immune response to vaccination, which is the goal, you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus.
- Should I go to the Emergency Room to get a COVID test if I have symptoms or have a known exposure?
No. The Emergency room should be reserved for people with severe illness or life-threatening symptoms. Sacramento County has 13 community testing locations that are easy to access, free and accept walk-ins. They have antigen testing that produces rapid results in as little as 30 minutes. Individuals can also contact their primary care provider for testing.
“The vaccine is the best resource currently available to fight COVID 19 and end the pandemic,” says Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer. “With the FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine and continued education and outreach to the community, our hope is more people will choose to get vaccinated.”
For additional information regarding COVID vaccine, a list of vaccine clinic locations and to make an appointment visit the Sacramento County COVID vaccination page.
District 2 and WALKSacramento Team up for Safer Routes to School at
Fern Bacon Middle School
Three years ago Supervisor Kennedy teamed up with WALKSacramento to create a safer environment for Fern Bacon Middle School students who walk to school. A neighborhood walk, followed by planning charrettes identified a number of areas, many on very busy streets, where there were no sidewalks or safe places to cross streets and a plan was developed.
On Tuesday, August 14th, the Board of Supervisors approved the final step to seeing that plan come to fruition. Soon, students walking to Fern Bacon will no longer be in danger of injury, or worse. Thank you WALKSacramento!
Recruiting for WALKSacramento’s Youth Advisory Board
And, speaking of WALKSacramento, do you know of any youth who are interested in improving health, fighting climate change, and becoming a policy advocate? They're recruiting Youth Advisory Board Members to help support their mission! The board will provide a space for members to share youth-related topics and issues that are occurring in their communities. They will also be able to help brainstorm and guide ideas to strengthen meaningful youth engagement in areas such as planning processes. Youth Advisory Board Members will receive a paid stipend for their time and effort. Applications will be open through September 10th.
Click here to learn more and apply.
SacRT Updates: Airport Express Service, Free Rides for Elk Grove Students, Contactless Fare Payment
Airport Express Service
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) relaunched the Airport Express bus service on Sunday, August 29, 2021. The Airport Express (bus route 142) offers trips between downtown Sacramento and the Sacramento International Airport every 30 minutes, seven days a week.
SacRT started the airport service in January 2020 but it was discontinued during the pandemic. The new Airport Express bus service re-launches with all new battery powered zero-emission buses for an environmentally friendly ride.
To celebrate the relaunch, SacRT is offering free rides on Route 142 between Sunday, August 29, 2021, and Saturday, September 4, 2021. Learn more at sacrtairport.com.
Countless Fare Payment
SacRT is partnering with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Visa, Littlepay, and SC Soft to add a contactless method for payment on board light rail trains, which will help improve the customer experience. The innovative touch-free fare payment technology will allow riders to tap a contactless credit, debit, prepaid card, or contactless-enabled mobile or wearable device (e.g., smartwatch) to pay fare when boarding light rail trains.
As part of a phased rollout, contactless fare payment is initial available on the Green Line starting Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Throughout the rest of the summer, SacRT will be installing the contactless fare payment readers aboard the full light rail fleet. During installation periods, the payment readers will display a "testing in progress" screen, which means they are not yet activated for use.
SacRT is the first transit agency in California to introduce a contactless payment solution on a light rail train system as part of the California Integrated Travel Prject (Cal-ITP), a Caltrans initiative to facilitat easy and accessible travel planning and payments.
During the initial demonstration period, only the basic single ride fare will be available. SacRT is looking into discount fare options in the future.
The contactless payment option will be limited, initially, to the light rail system and will focus on establishing an improved rider experience.
Visit the Contactless Fare page to see FAQ, how to view your Contactless Fare History, and see videos on how to use.
Elk Grove Students Can Now RydeFreeRT
Elk Grove Transit Services (e-tran) became part of the SacRT District on July 1, 2021, and as one of the benefits of the annexation agreement, the RydeFreeRT program became available for all Elk Grove students/youth. RydeFreeRT allows students/youth in grades TK-12th to ride SacRT bus, light rail and on-demand SmaRT Ride microtransit services for free.
Since Thursday, August 19, Elk Grove students have taken advantage of more than 1,000 free rides with the RydeFreeRT program. A recent study on youth ridership published by the University of Texas at Austin found a statistically significant increase in the share of students reporting SacRT use to get to and from school, as well as a corresponding statistically significant decrease in the share of students reporting automobile use. Youth who reported using SacRT also reported that they can more easily access important non-school destinations because of the RydeFreeRT program. Many students not necessarily using SacRT to get to school regularly reported they are using the service more to get to after school and non-school activities because of the RydeFreeRT program. Learn more about the study and the RydeFreeRT program at rydefreert.com.
To view Elk Grove bus routes and schedules visit sacrt.com/elkgrovetransit.
Receive up to $5,000 for Tree Related Project in
South Sacramento
The Sacramento Tree Foundation is pleased to announce an Urban and Community Forestry Program funding opportunity for South Sacramento residents, community groups, and anyone interested in advancing urban forestry in South Sacramento! This program is possible through the support and partnership of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a community-based organization working to grow thriving communities through stewardship of the urban forest. Their NeighborWoods program is a community-led movement that brings neighbors together through tree planting and care activities in neighborhoods suffering tree canopy inequity. We are seeking applicants from our South Sacramento NeighborWoods grant area with creative project ideas that improve tree canopy or provide education about the importance of trees.
The purpose of this NeighborWoods Community Grant is to support innovative, community-led projects that improve the health of the community and the region’s air quality and tree canopy. South Sacramento has less tree canopy than many areas in the city and because of that, residents are exposed to more environmental inequities. Trees are important in helping combat air pollution, extreme heat, and high rates of several medical conditions, like asthma and obesity.
While trees are important, trees in urban spaces are only successful when the community supports their health and growth. We know that the people who live, work, and play in South Sacramento are most knowledgeable about how to grow a full and healthy tree canopy in their neighborhoods, front yards, parks, and schools. Do you have an idea about how to grow tree canopy in South Sacramento? This funding is available to turn your vision into a reality. Apply today to spread the word about the value of trees and to help get them planted!
If you are interested in receiving a grant, please review the criteria and details below and submit the NeighborWoods Community Grant Application Form by August 31, 2021.
Click here for the application to apply.
Program Details:
· Maximum grant of $5,000 per cycle is available to applicants.
· Some funds may be eligible for payment upon award of grant; remaining funds will be available upon approval of final report.
· The Grantee shall be solely responsible for any and all taxes, Social Security contributions or payments, disability insurance, unemployment taxes, and other taxes applicable to such compensation. The Grantee agrees to provide a completed W-9 to the Foundation.
· Priority will be given to applicants living within the project area, as well as diverse, disadvantaged, or low-income applicants.
· Projects must occur within the South Sacramento NeighborWoods grant area (see map attached).
· A NeighborWoods Community Grant Completion Report must be submitted at the end of each project.
· Round Three project completion required by February, 2022.
Examples of possible projects include:
· Planning a community tree planting
· Promoting residential tree plantings to your neighbors
· Educational and community outreach, translation services
· Tree care (watering, mulching, turf/ground cover removal, pruning)
· Young tree maintenance
· Trees and native plant gardens
· Efficient irrigation supplies and installation
· Mature tree care
· Stump removal
· Memorial tree ceremonies
· Fruit tree planting
· Landscape retrofits
· All ideas considered! Be creative!
Questions regarding project applications, eligibility, or the South Sac NeighborWoods project? Contact: Victoria Vasquez, NeighborWoods Organizer (916) 709-1003 - victoria@sactree.com
Join the Aging Resources Exchange for Helpful
Information for Older Adults
The Aging Resource Exchange is a platform for networking and exchanging information for community members and professionals serving older and dependent adults. It is organized by the Sacramento County Adult and Aging Commission.
Join them this month on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 from 9:30am-11:00am to learn about how local programs providing essential services to older adults are rising to the current challenges we face. Two speakers will provide an overview of services available to adults 50+ through the City of Sacramento, including an update on what the City is offering during the pandemic. In addition, we will learn about changes Meals on Wheels by ACC has made to its home-delivery and congregate meals programs.
Stephanie Wilson is the Program Director for the City of Sacramento’s Triple-R Adult Day Program. Stephanie oversees the administration of three social model adult day sites as well as projects such as Dementia Friendly Sacramento and support groups for both current and former caregivers. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from CSUS.
Janeen Thorpe is the Director of the Ethel MacLeod Hart Senior Center. She has a Gerontology degree from CSUS and a master's degree in Public Administration from McGeorge School of Law. Janeen's prior professional experience includes working as a certified nursing assistant, trainer, and lobbyist.
The three speakers from Meals on Wheels by ACC will be Karen Luna, Case Worker and recent Sacramento State MSW graduate, John Camarillo, Registered Dietician and Program Manager, and Nancy Bess, Nutrition Services Manager.
Join the Zoom Meeting by clicking on the following link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/95001564178
Or, you can join on your telephone (audio only) by calling: (669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 950 0156 4178
There is no cost to participate - all are welcome