The Centers For Disease Control Have Updated Recommendations For COVID-19, RSV And Other Respiratory Viruses
March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu and RSV. The CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the country is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19, and because we have more tools than ever to combat these viruses.
When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they:
- Stay home and away from others.
- Return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it remains gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.
- Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses. (See the complete update at cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html.)
Because of these updated recommendations, the previous CDC guidelines we followed will no longer be in effect when an employee tests positive for COVID-19 and/or another respiratory virus. Additionally, office sanitizing will no longer occur, nor will supervisors be required to report positive tests results of employees to the COVID NOTIFICATION team and/or their employees.
Employee Picnic This Saturday!
Registration Deadlines Extended!
It's not to late to register for the fun! Just be sure to fill out the form here, if you have not already registered to attend the Employee Appreciation Picnic March 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Garehime Heights Park, 3901 N. Campbell Road.
Get ready for a day filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a whole lot of circus-inspired fun! Our upcoming Employee Appreciation Picnic promises to be a spectacle, and we're thrilled to announce the extension of the registration period for the Department Team Challenge. This is your chance to form teams of four, showcase your teamwork, and take on the circus-themed games with gusto!
We've got some exciting news for our upcoming Employee Picnic, and it involves our furry friends! In addition to the festivities, laughter, and games planned for the day, we're thrilled to announce a Circus-Themed Pet Costume Contest!
Due to popular demand, we've decided to expand the contest to include a virtual category, allowing all our pet lovers to participate, even if their pets can't join us in person. To enter the virtual contest, submit a photo or short video of your costumed pet to Jasmine Freeman at jafreeman@lasvegasnevada.gov by March 7. The most creative and entertaining pet costumes will be rewarded!
For in-person pet costume contest participants, bring your pet to the event March 9 and let them strut their stuff in their finest circus-themed costumes. (All pets on leashes, please.)
Department Team Challenge!
Department bragging rights are at stake in the Department Team Challenge (plus custody of the trophy for a year)! The challenge will include:
-
Milk Bottle Blitz - Test your aim and coordination as you try to knock down all the milk bottles with a well-aimed throw.
-
Ducky Dive - Fish for rubber ducks in this classic carnival game with a twist.
-
Ping Pong Shot - Channel your inner sharpshooter as you use a small water gun to shoot ping pong balls off gold tees.
-
Big Top Costume Carousel - Embrace your inner clown, don your best circus costume and race back to your team for a costume change showdown!
So now that you know what skills are needed, gather your team of four and sign up for the Department Team Challenge. Sign ups are still open!
- Departments are encouraged to enter more than one team! It's an opportunity to strengthen team bonds and enjoy some friendly competition, so get your foursome organized!
- Start brainstorming creative team names and get ready for an unforgettable day of circus-themed camaraderie and fun!
- To enter your team, simply email your clever team name and the names of your four team members to Missy Fredriksen at MFredriksen@lasvegasnevada.gov.
Executive Spotlight
We are continuing our new feature -- the Executive Spotlight -- in the Weekly Update. As a way for employees to get better acquainted with the city’s leadership team, an executive will be highlighted each week. All of them will answer the same five questions. We continue with our Finance Director Susan Heltsley!
 |
-
What is the weirdest job you’ve ever had? I started reading water meters, preparing and hand-delivering the bills for our private neighborhood water system when I was in the fourth grade. I kept it up all through college. I was destined to go into finance!
-
Tell us something about yourself that may surprise us. Our dog Zim and his daughter Wim traveled to Europe before my husband Scott and I did. They both went to Germany for Schutzhund training (obedience, protection and tracking) and to be titled. They needed their titles to fulfill the German standard to be shown and bred. Zim went in 2003 and Wim in 2006. We made it in 2014, when our daughter Erin was studying in England. We spent three weeks traveling to Scotland, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Holland. Wim was awarded the highest show rating at the National Show in 2008, and retired to our family after her show career was over.
-
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing your current one? My absolute dream job is to be Disneyland’s CFO, especially since Galaxy’s Edge opened. Hans Solo and Indiana Jones in the same place? I doubt I’d make it past lunch.
-
What is your favorite movie or line from a movie? My favorite movie is the original "Top Gun." It was my first date with my husband. We watch it every year on our first date anniversary. We saw the sequel on our anniversary too!
Favorite quote – “Something vexes thee” – "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves."
-
What do you love best about living in Southern Nevada? The weather. I’m a fourth-generation Washingtonian and am so happy to not be damp all the time. Also love being able to go to an event – sporting, musical, whatever – and being home in a half-hour.
 |
Left: Susan Heltsley and her husband Scott at Top Gun:Maverick in 2022. Center: Susan and Scott and friend/dog trainer Regine at a Raiders Game. Right: Susan and Scott in Paris December 2014.
Heltsleys' champion dog Wim.
Need A Photo For City Use?
City employees who need a head-and-shoulders photo of themselves for city use may use the services of the Communications Office. With your supervisor’s approval, photos will be taken in the KCLV-TV studios on the first floor of City Hall Thursday, March 7, between 9 and 10 a.m. Please sign up in advance at https://forms.gle/5sqSpXinyDzJYWAU8 to reserve your spot.
Your Vote Can Help Las Vegas Win The Award
The city of Las Vegas has been named a finalist in the International Data Corporation (IDC) Government Insights’ seventh annual Smart Cities North America Awards (SCNAA) in the Data-Driven Policing category. Now the public is invited to vote on the finalists at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCNAA24. After voting for "Smart Parks, Las Vegas, NV," just scroll to the bottom of the page and hit "Done." Voting will remain open through 5 p.m. EST Friday, March 8, 2024. Please share with your family and friends.
The awards recognize the progress North American municipalities have made in executing Smart Cities projects in 14 categories, as well as provide a forum for sharing best practices to help accelerate Smart City development in the region. Winners will be announced March 27 and honored at Smart Cities Connect, to be held May 7-10 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The city of Las Vegas Smart Parks project strategically deploys sensors across 13 city parks and locations, providing insights into park usage and effective deployment of public safety measures. The initiative includes license plate recognition, gunshot detection, cameras and occupancy/pedestrian analysis. By integrating geographic information systems, GPS technologies, drone mapping and artificial intelligence, the data provides valuable insights into park usage patterns and potential safety and security concerns, enabling the city to provide safer park experiences.
Nevada Reading Week Photos Requested
If you took part in Nevada Reading Week, please send photos of your participation, along with a caption of who, when and where, to socialmedia@lasvegasnevada.gov for use on the city's social media channels.
Stay In The Know On Available Grants Activity!
The city's Grants Administration team invites you to sign up to receive grant funding opportunities, trainings, updates and all other important information in the world of grants. Sign up here. For more information, email clvgrantsadmin@lasvegasnevada.gov.
 |
Every week, Cindy Gruber Martin prepares approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) reimbursements to be sent to Accounts Payable. Her process includes preparing 14 different pieces of information, collected from various locations within Oracle and within the reimbursement paperwork packet. Cindy worked with the Print Shop to design a small 4”x3” slip of paper with designated fields for all 14 pieces of information and uses this as a cover sheet for the reimbursement request. This helps Accounts Payable staff to have all relevant information available at a glance, is a visual indicator that the reimbursement is ready to proceed to payment, and helps Cindy reduce her own errors. With her clever little slip of paper, Cindy has earned her SmartLab Green Belt certification!
Staff all over the city are finding little ways to improve the work that they touch every day with the help of SmartLab, the city’s internal continuous improvement program. SmartLab facilitators provide training and project support to all city teams so that we can deliver more value for our community and make work easier. Contact SmartLabAdmin@lasvegasnevada.gov to request assistance or training.
 |
|
Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday Morning, March 10
Set clocks ahead one hour
at bedtime Saturday night!
|
Registration Open Now for Spring Break Camps
Registration is open now for spring break camps for youth ages 5-15 for the March 11-15 week; Clark County School District schools have no classes that week. There are camps at city community centers, at the Municipal Pool and the Charleston Heights Arts Center. Hours and costs vary. See all the details at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/camps.
 |
|
Join The 2024 Corporate Challenge Team Vegas
Corporate Challenge is in full swing! However, we are still looking for Captains for Chess and Badminton. Become part of this fantastic team and help boost Team Vegas to first place. f you are interested in participating in any event, please contact the team captain (see list) or call Jennifer Winder at 702.229.5177 or Jordyne Duncan.
|
Make sure to check out the schedule on the Corporate Challenge webpage to see the posted calendar of events. Support the Dodgeball team this Thursday at 6 p.m. at Dula Community Center.
Not sure where to sign up? See the opportunities below.
Trap/Skeet shooting – Want to give this a shot? If so, contact Jeffery Galliher at 702.229.4864. He is willing to train you! Meet Jeffery at the Clark County Shooting Complex Shotgun Center Saturday, March 9, at 9 a.m. for practice. Guns and ammunition are available at the center for rent/purchase. The competition will be held Sunday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clark County Shooting Complex.
Track and Field – Interested in 100-, 400-, 800-meter races or the Long Jump, Shot Put or Softball Throw? Men and women in most age brackets are still needed, although the relay race team has been filled. The events will be held at Cimarron High School, 2301 N. Tenaya Way, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 9. Please contact Patricia Owens at powens@lasvegasnevada.gov (702.229.1249) or Dayne Thomas at dmthomas@lasvegasnevada.gov (702.219.1379) to participate in Track and Field. This event also needs volunteers signed up by 4 p.m. March 7. Come on Saturday and support your team!
Pickleball - Female players needed! If you want to play, please contact Barry Hicks at 702.229.2160. The competition will be Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. at the Durango Hills Park courts.
Golf - We need men’s and women’s teams for a two-person scramble. There will be a qualifier event Saturday, March 16, at The Club at Sunrise. See the flier. To participate, contact Robin McCartney at 702.229.4049.
Walk Race - Not interested in running a 5K? Well how about walking a 4K instead? We are looking for men and women of all ages to participate. The 2.4-mile event of fast walking will be at the Kellogg Zaher Soccer Complex at 7901 W. Washington Ave. Thursday, April 25, 15 5:30 p.m. Contestants will need to report no later than 4:45 p.m. This is an individual event and each walker has the ability to score points for Team City; you do not need to be an extreme athlete to participate. It's more important that we compete in every age bracket, both men and women. Contact Christine Wittwer at cwittwer@lasvegasnevada.gov. See the flier. Age brackets:
Range Shooting - Team tryouts are Sunday, March 10, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Please text Brent at 702.913.5191 to get the location of the tryouts. Tryouts will be a single distance, 24 rounds at 10 yards. The competition will be Sunday, March 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clark County Shooting Complex.
Tennis – Still looking for one woman for the team. Please contact Brian Carroll at 702.229.3234 or at bcarroll@lasvegasnevada.gov for more information. The competition is 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Darling Tennis Center.
Horseshoes – Still need one male to participate in a co-ed team. Contact Marcus Diaz at 702.332.9062 for more information. The competition is 8 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Justice Myron E. Leavitt and Jaycee Community Park.
Charity Challenge – If you volunteer at church, coach a sports team, lead a youth group, give your time to a nonprofit, or otherwise help out in the community, you can earn bonus Corporate Challenge points for Team Las Vegas by completing a form and sending it in. Every 10 hours of volunteering for a local charity earns the team one point. We combine all the employee volunteer hours together, so whether you complete one hour or 100, you help the team. Email Linda Lagoy at llagoy@lasvegasnevada.gov for the Charity Challenge Community Service Tracking Sheet form, follow the instructions and return the completed form by email or inter-office to the Stupak Community Center no later than May 1.
If you are interested in participating in any event, please contact the team captain or Jennifer Winder at 702.229-5177 or Jordyne Duncan at 702.229.5182. Make sure to check out the schedule on the Corporate Challenge web page to see the posted calendar of events.
Upcoming Events
Plenty of appointment times are still left for Thursday morning's blood drive in the NOW Cafe at City Hall! Contact Sandy at 702.229.2362 for appointment assistance. Participants will earn Corporate Challenge points for Team City when they donate blood!
Smoke Control System Testing At City Hall March 8
Facilities Management will conduct smoke control system testing from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 8, at City Hall. This will be a silent test and staff may remain in the building, but doors will close and fans will activate. A shunt test also will be conducted.
For Your Reading/Viewing Pleasure
|
