Public Health & COVID News:

• The CDC has (finally) decided that one single bivalent shot is enough, only authorizing one dose and moving toward annual fall shots, like the flu. (SF Chronicle)
• Medicaid benefits for 15 million Americans are ending as federal pandemic protections end. Figuring it all out will be challenging for states. (Washington Post)
• Chile is reporting a human case of the H5N1 bird flu, which has been ravaging wild flocks and spreading to mammals around the world. (CIDRAP)
• XBB.1.5 now makes up 90% of new COVID cases in the US. (US News)
• A combo COVID-flu at-home test is finally available in the US. It tests for COVID, flu A and flu B. (CIDRAP)
• H3N8 bird flu has sickened a woman in China who had contact with poultry and wild birds. This is the third case since last year. (CIDRAP)
• Nearly three-quarters of doctors say misinformation made it harder to treat patients for COVID and hurt patients’ health outcomes. (USA Today)
• The outbreak of hepatitis last year has been linked to infections with common childhood viruses, possibly from an increase in exposure after pandemic precautions were lifted. (NY Times)
• More than a million doses of the mpox vaccine have been given in the US, but only 23% of the most at-risk group is fully vaccinated with two doses. (CIDRAP)
• A new study shows that low booster uptake is associated with “vaccine fatigue” due to ‘perceived burden or burnout’ around the pandemic. (Fox)
• Equatorial Guinea has reported four more Marburg virus cases, but the WHO says that other cases of the Ebola-like virus are going unreported. (STAT)

Mental Health News:

• If someone on the street is in a mental health crisis, there are things you can do to help, but most experts agree you should only interfere if someone is in immediate danger. (LA Times)
• Social media is addictive for many girls, especially those with depression. (Washington Post)
• Linking gun violence to mental illness can perpetuate harmful stigmas, mental health experts say. (Virginian Pilot)

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call 988 or message the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

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Best Questions:

Narcan will soon be available OTC. When can we buy it for our emergency kits?

The FDA has allowed Narcan, the overdose-reversing nasal spray, for purchase without a prescription. The company that produces it says it should be widely available by late summer in pharmacies, big box stores, and online by late summer. The cost to consumers is still TBD, which will really make or break whether this is a viable option for businesses to buy at scale. ZHH will be working with our medical supplier on bulk pricing and will be happy to share pricing information once it’s available.

How can we tell if an employee has allergies or something contagious?

It’s spring, which means allergies are back in full force. Itchy, watery eyes are unique to allergies, so if someone has those, it’s generally allergy-related. Likewise, fever, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea aren’t allergy symptoms, so having those means the employee likely has something viral. If an employee normally has allergy symptoms, and there’s nothing new or different about their symptoms this year, it’s safe to assume they’re seasonal allergies as long as they fit the bill. We’ve made a quick chart to help you quickly assess symptoms:

Do employees who test positive for COVID still need to stay out of work?

Yes, even though it’s much less of a concern these days for healthy people under the age of 65, COVID is still an infectious disease that can easily take out your whole team if it goes around, leading to staffing issues and brand damage if customers see employees working sick. And remember, your employee may feel only mild symptoms, but the people they infect while working sick might have frail grandparents, a child with cancer, or a heart condition that puts them at higher risk for death. Don’t risk your staffing or your customer loyalty by letting employees work sick, whether it’s COVID, a cold, or a stomach bug.

We have a pest issue. What can we do?

First and foremost, find a good pest control professional and build a long-term relationship. Coming once every few months isn’t enough - manage pests all year long and schedule regular visits, even when everything seems okay. Ensure they happen regularly and don’t delay. Do a full walk-through of your space with the person who comes to take care of pests, making sure to point out where they’ve been spotted and potential problem areas. One of the best tips we have is to be proactive is speaking with neighbors about any pest issues they’re having and coordinate a response. Nearby construction is often a trigger, so if that’s expected, make a plan with your pest control company and your neighbors.

Best Read:

Supporting Employee Mental Health After Mass Shootings - Health Action Alliance