While healthcare providers say they’re prepared for a potential surge of cases due to Omicron, they say the data thus far may suggest fewer severe cases and hospitalizations. They continue to urge the public to get vaccinated and boosted, even with prolonged wait times.
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Posted inK-12 Education
Happy Masks became a COVID must-have. That sparked a back-to-school frenzy
Happy Masks’ face coverings for kids are a back-to-school sensation amid heightened COVID-19 anxiety — but good luck buying one. “It felt like I was trying to get tickets to the Rolling Stones,” said one mom after a recent failed attempt.
Posted inCOVID Today
Board of Supervisors will require vaccination or weekly COVID testing for county employees
After an acrimonious public comment period, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to require county employees to be vaccinated or be tested weekly. Those who fail to do either may be fired.
Posted inLatest News
Unscheduled power outages leave Corralitos customers frustrated, concerned with PG&E
The second outage in nearly two weeks was particularly worrisome with fire season in full effect in Santa Cruz County. “If there had been a fire, none of us would have known until the smoke was on us,” one Eureka Canyon resident said.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Actual safety vs. hygiene theater: What will really protect you from the Delta variant?
The spread of the more transmissible Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has led to conflicting advice from various authorities on safety precautions. We consulted some experts, with masks in particular an area of interest.
Posted inEnvironment
California wildfire insurance: Should homeowners pay for climate change?
Insurance companies want to factor climate change in calculating wildfire coverage, but consumer watchdogs worry California homeowners will end up with higher premiums. Lawmakers from fire-damaged districts say they are open to change because their constituents are already losing coverage.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Without enough boots on the ground, California’s vaccination efforts falter
California’s vaccination rates have stagnated, particularly in Black and Latino inner-city neighborhoods and in rural towns. County health officials, who say trust is their most important commodity, need more money for one-on-one interactions with holdouts, but the state has instead largely funneled money to advertising firms and tech companies.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
‘Long COVID’ is a risk for the unvaccinated. What you need to know
Long COVID is one name for a puzzling syndrome that can afflict people who have been infected with the coronavirus. The symptoms can vary and come and go without warning, and long COVID can be “severely debilitating” for those affected, the CDC director said.
Posted inCOVID Today
‘It’s very concerning’: COVID-19 might shrink parts of the brain, scientists say
It’s not clear how the coronavirus causes parts of the brain to shrink, and if it’s due to the virus or COVID-19 symptoms, a former FDA official said.
Posted inCOVID 2022
California’s digital COVID-19 vaccination record has glitches. Here’s how to fix yours
California has received nearly 70,000 forms from residents looking to correct or complete their vaccination information, the state Department of Public Health said.