COVID-19 Federal Public Health Emergency Comes to an End
At first glance, the May 11 closure of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) may seem largely symbolic. COVID cases and deaths from the virus have been on a steady decline and are at the lowest point since 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For many people, however, the end of the PHE means the end of many safety net programs that were put into place during the pandemic. "It has been a long three plus years of being on the front lines of working countless hours to protect the community we serve and to see the “end” in one short sentence is sobering," said Kent County Health Department (KCHD) Director Adam London. "With the PHE ending, there will be some impacts on us and our clients."
For now, these are the changes that we know about:
KCHD offering of masks and test kits – We will continue to offer these resources until supplies run out.
Vaccines - COVID-19 vaccines will remain free and available at our clinics and through partnerships in the community. However, this will likely change in the future and we will share more details when available.
At home tests – Insurance providers are no longer required to waive costs or provide free COVID-19 tests. The CDC’s No Cost COVID-19 Testing Locator can help people find current community and pharmacy partners participating in the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.
Treatments – Treatments, such as Paxlovid, will remain free while available. The cost for this treatment will then be determined by the manufacturer and your health insurance.
Medicare and Medicaid Waivers - For Medicaid, some COVID-19 PHE waivers and flexibilities ended on May 11 while others will remain in place for a remaining six months. But many of the Medicaid waivers and flexibilities, including those that support home and community-based services, are available for states to continue if they choose to do so. Medicaid will continue to cover COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments without a co-pay or cost sharing through September 30, 2024, and will generally cover ACIP-recommended vaccines for most beneficiaries thereafter. For further information, visit https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cms-phe-faqs.pdf
Here are a few sites that go into further details about the ending of the PHE:
Visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/end-phe to learn more about the Michigan Department Health & Human Services benefit changes.
New Program Provide Grief Services to Families
The loss of a child is tragic and life altering and no family is prepared for it. At the point of greatest grief, other family members and friends often pull away because they too are grieving the loss of the child. Someone needs to come along side and support the family at this painful time.
Many of the children whose lives end so early were enrolled in our Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) program. They either were born prematurely or had chronic and complex health needs. A trusted relationship has already been established, and CSHCS is often one of the first to know of the death of the child.
Our CSHCS program is locally implemented and funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. This program was recently awarded an additional $20,000 from MDHHS to provide grief services to families that have gone through the shattering experience of the death of a child.
Jasmine Fullenwider, a licensed masters prepared social worker, joined our CSHCS team in February of this year. She comes with a unique skill set as she previously worked at Wedgewood as a residential clinician with youth. Jasmine will now be able to offer home visits to families to walk along side of them as they process the loss of a baby or child. She will connect them with resources as needed, and monitor for the need for further intervention. This grant will allow Jasmine to provide up to three visits per family over the first six months following the death. Jasmine’s compassion and empathy will be a powerful tool to help families sort out the complex emotions that come at a time of crisis.
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Warm Weather is Welcome but Brings Back Bugs
Annoying, disgusting, gross, or just plain yucky, you can pick your own adjective to describe mosquitoes and ticks but never forget these two insects can spread debilitating and deadly diseases to humans.
The primary mosquito borne illness we are concerned within Michigan is West Nile Virus. Ticks, specifically the black legged tick which is common in Michigan, is a known carrier of Lyme Disease.
Fight The Bite
Obviously there are differences between the two insects and the two diseases but the best way to avoid either disease is to avoid being bit. Fortunately, a lot of the steps you can take to fight the bite are the same. Using an insect repellant that contains DEET will repel both insects. Always make sure to use a product that is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and make sure you read the product's label carefully especially when applying to children. Wearing long sleeves and pants when you are outdoors can limit contact with mosquitoes and ticks.
Ticks
You can further protect yourself from ticks by staying away from where the it lives. Ticks prefer bushy or wooded areas and may live in tall grass waiting to hitch a ride on a passing human or animal. If you are walking on a trail, stay toward the middle of it where the grasses and weeds are shorter. In the woods, it is best to avoid brushy areas with high weeds and leaf litter.
When you come indoors, check for ticks as they may be hitchhiking in your clothes, backpacks, or other gear. Check your body and children's bodies for the places that ticks like to hide like under the arms, around the waist, and the back of the knees.
If you find a tick, it is important that you remove it correctly. The CDC has detailed information about tick removal here.
Lyme disease is the most common illness carried by ticks in Michigan. Untreated Lyme disease can progress to very serious medical conditions including inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is important to know the symptoms of Lyme disease to know when to seek treatment. Learn about Lyme disease here.
Mosquitoes
Keep mosquitoes out of your home by making sure your screens are in good repair. You can also keep mosquitoes from breeding near your home by getting rid of any standing water in birdbaths, tires, buckets, and toys. Anyplace where water can accumulate can become a mosquito breeding ground. Learn about controlling mosquitoes here.
The most common illness caused by mosquitoes in Michigan is West Nile virus. About 80% of the people get West Nile virus will never develop any symptoms. Rarely though, West Nile Virus can lead to serious health complications and even death. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of WNV here.
Podcast
KCHD has produced a brief but informative podcast about mosquitoes, ticks and what the we do to help protect the public from vector borne illnesses. We talk with KCHD's vector surveillance program manager, Paul Bellamy, in depth about the issues. You can listen to the episode by clicking here.
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KCHD Encouraging Testing as Sexually Transmitted Diseases Rise
Despite a slight downturn during the pandemic, sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) continue to rise in the U.S. according to data released by the CDC. The KCHD is responding to the rising rates with a marketing campaign that is encouraging testing among those who have participated in high risk sexual behaviors. "Many people who have STD's do not know they are infected," says KCHD Public Health Educator Arron Toffoli. "We want people to to understand that being infected can impact their health by leading to infertility and future health issues. Educating people and following up with resources for testing and treatment can dramatically reduce future issues."
The campaign uses the CDC's STD prevention campaign "GYT" which stands for "Get Yourself Tested." Working with King Media, the KCHD created messages that will appear on the popular social media platform Snap Chat and drive users to our website where they will find information about the KCHD Personal Health Services (PHS) Clinic and links to educational information from the CDC.
Because the messages are targeted to a younger male audience, they were tested for relevance with males aged 15-25. The campaign's efficacy will be measured by charting the number of people who "swipe up" and access the website. The KCHD PHS clinic will also track the number of visits and appointments to determine if there is an increase during the campaign which will run in June and July.
STD's vs. STI's
Please note: While the term Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is used in the medical field, the CDC has returned to using the older term STDs in their educational materials and communications because it has more recognition and understanding among the public compared to STIs.
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Driving Under the Influence Campaign Shifts into High Gear
A marketing campaign and partnership between the KCHD and the Lakeshore Regional Entity hopes to bring awareness to the issue of drugged driving. The ads that will be displayed on social media are aimed at young adults 16 years or older in an effort to influence a lifetime of good choices.
Every 39 minutes a person dies in an impaired driving accident in the United States, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA data also tells us that 56% of drivers who were tested after serious injury accidents, tested positive for at least one substance. The legalization of cannabis products in many states, including Michigan, may be contributing to the issue. The NHTSA says the number of drivers testing positive for cannabis consumption has increased by nearly 50% in less than a decade.
"Drugged driving puts drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at serious risk," says KCHD Public Health Educator Sharon Schmidt. "There is a misconception out there that marijuana does not impair driving yet the research clearly shows a decline in motor skills, lane control, and overall cognitive function."
Data collected from the delivery of the social media ads will reveal more about who is viewing the ads and if and how they are interacting with the content. The information will be used to further tailor the campaign for optimal results in the future.
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Consider a Career with Kent County
What matters to you in your career? Is it all about a paycheck or are you looking for something more?
Perhaps you are looking for a way to serve your community, a positive work life balance, or training and opportunities for advancement and professional growth,
At Kent County, we offer something for everyone. There is a wide variety of positions available. You could work in our parks, at our health department, at the Sheriff's Office, or in IT. If you are looking for a career, you owe it to yourself to check us out. Start your journey with Kent County here.
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Upcoming Holiday Office Closure
All KCHD offices and clinics will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023 in observance of the Memorial Day. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 8 a.m.
Thank you to the veterans and families for your service to our country.
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