Copy

Community Response Team Newsletter
Public Health & Emergency Preparedness Updates
February 9, 2022

Dear Community, 

As the Omicron surge begins to wane, it is still important to remember to keep up with safety protocol and exercise caution in your daily activities. While we may shift to an endemic mindset, there are still many unknowns with COVID and its variants. Waves of COVID are impacted by many factors such as vaccination rates, the effectiveness of vaccines over time, human behavior, infection prevention policies, changes to the coronavirus itself, and the number of people who are vulnerable from either waning immunity or no immunity. It is essential not to let our guard down yet, even as this surge is on the decline. There are still expected to be high transmission levels over the coming weeks. 

Monitoring data health data, vaccinations, wearing masks, social distancing, hand washing, testing, and treatments are part of the County's layered strategy to respond to COVID as it evolves. You can stay to date by visiting Marin County Public Health's new interactive dashboard with hospitalization data integrated. And there is new guidance for K-12 schools for best practices in navigating in-person learning. 

Getting vaccinated does have an impact on both personal and community immunity. Please take this opportunity to get vaccinated or receive a booster dose if you have not done so already. Plenty of appointments are available. 

This newsletter contains links to several events that will interest our community. There is a school meeting hosted by the Marin County Office of Education today at 3:00 PM; attend via Zoom here. The Bolinas Community Center is hosting a workshop on Tenant's Rights this evening at 5:30 PM; join via Zoom here. Lastly, the arts and storytelling are powerful ways to connect with others and process the human experience. Find details below about the COVID CathARTic presentation hosted by the Dance Palace in Point Reyes this Friday, February 12, at 7:00 PM; register here

Stay safe and healthy,
West Marin Community Response Team

Community Response Teams Collaboration Survey 


Please take a moment to let the County know how the West Marin Community Response Team is doing. Your feedback helps us shape our programs to serve our community better.

Take the survey here: https://marincountyhc.jotform.com/213615655861056
Stay Up to Date on Public Health Information:
For the latest information from the County for testing locations, vaccines, and public health updates, we highly recommend you subscribe for daily updates at https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/subscribe.
 
Additional helpful links:
Book Testing:
https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/testing 
Booster Shot Information: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/VaccineBooster
General Vaccine Info: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/vaccine
Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/isolation-and-quarantine
Masking Requirement Updates: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx
Order Free Tests: https://www.covidtests.gov/
Pediatric Vaccine Info: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/vaccine/pediatrics
Vaccine Finder: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/vaccinefinder

Vaccination Appointments

While more than 87% of Marin County's population is fully vaccinated (14 days past the final dose of their primary vaccination series), only 68% of eligible residents have received their booster shot. Bolstering our immunity against COVID-19 is of utmost importance, especially with the continued presence of the Omicron variant in our community. Fortunately, we have access to vaccines which are a FREE and effective resource for keeping us protected. If you know someone who is still in need of a vaccine or booster shot, please share the list below with them! We are grateful to everyone in our community who has done their part by getting fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible.   

Pop-Up: Bolinas Community Center
Wednesday, February 23, 11 AM - 2 PM
14 Wharf Road
Bolinas, CA 94924
Ages 5 to 11, Pfizer
Ages 12 or older, J&J, Moderna, Pfizer
Appointments are opening soon, please check this link next week!


Additional vaccine options in your community include:     

Other resources:

Walk-ups are now available at most vaccine providers across the county. Visit Marin County's Vaccine Finder page to find out which clinics have open appointments and schedule yours. A parent or guardian must accompany vaccine recipients between the ages of 5 to 17 to receive a vaccine.  

More options for COVID-19 vaccine clinics are available by visiting the California Department of Public Health's MyTurn COVID and flu vaccination scheduling website.  

Kaiser Permanente - All Marin locations
Open to both Kaiser and Non-Kaiser members. Non-Members call 833-574-2273 to request a temporary member ID to book an appointment.
J&J, Moderna, Pfizer

Appointment Required
Schedule an appointment here.

 



Choosing Which Vaccine is Right For You

Download a fact sheet in multiple languages here.

Free COVID Rapid Testing

 
Due to the high demand for COVID testing and to better serve our communities by offering a greater weekly outreach for this service, we will be switching to COVID-19 take-home test distribution only. If you have tested positive, whether by Rapid Test or PCR, please do not come to testing distribution for a take-home test until Day 5-10 from your initial positive test result. Please do not test until Days 3-5 from exposure if exposed.
 
Point Reyes Station
Mondays and Wednesdays 
11 AM - 12 PM

West Marin Community Services 
11431 Highway 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956


San Geronimo Valley
Tuesdays, 2 - 3 PM
Thursdays, NEW TIME! 11 AM - 12 PM*

The San Geronimo Commons (formerly the golf course) 
5800 Sir Frances Drake Blvd
San Geronimo, CA 94963
Learn More >

CDPH Approved and Registered COVID-19 Testing Administrators

*New schedule.

Learn more about testing in Marin County at https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/testing.

If you need masks, West Marin Community Services and San Geronimo Valley Community Center are distributing them to local community-based organizations and individuals. Masks are available during testing hours at both locations.
 


Free Self Tests from the Federal Government

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free, and orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.

Order yours here: https://special.usps.com/testkits.

Slow the Spread


COVID-19 can easily spread between people who are in close contact with one another.  To help slow COVID’s spread, protect vulnerable individuals, and prevent the healthcare system in the County of Marin from being overwhelmed, it is necessary for people who have been infected to isolate, and people who have been exposed to a person who has an active COVID infection will need to quarantine.

Isolation Calendars  If You Tested Positive

Everyone who tests positive, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate for a minimum of 5 days. Those with symptoms may need to isolate longer. Follow these steps to protect yourself and your loved ones:

  • Stay home for at least 5 days.
  • Isolation can end on day 5 if symptoms are not present or resolving AND a test collected on day 5 or later is negative.
    • If no test is taken, isolation can end on day 10 if symptoms are not present or resolving.
    • If fever is present, isolation should continue until the fever resolves.
    • If symptoms other than fever are present, continue to isolate until they are resolving OR until after day 10.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others, especially in indoor settings.

Learn More >
 



How to Isolate: Stay at Home
  • Do not go to school, work or church.
  • Do not run errands.
  • Do not travel or use public transportation.
  • Leave your home only if you have a medical emergency.
  • A household member or friend should handle all outside activities, such as grocery shopping.
  • For a list of free food pantries in Marin County visit our HHS Resource Guide
  • For home-delivered groceries, please visit the SFMarin Food Bank website to see if you qualify.

Learn More >

 



Quarantine

Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to COVID, to see if they become infected. Someone may have been exposed to COVID-19 but does not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms. 

If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, you may need to quarantine depending on your vaccination status.​​​​​​

Learn More >
 



Report Your Results
  • If you used an at-home test (rapid antigen self-test), you need to self-report your test result.
  • If you were tested at a healthcare facility or other testing site, you do not need to report your result to the County: your doctor or clinic will inform Marin County Public Health of your test result.

Today: Public Health Update for the School Community 

Wednesday, February 9, 2022 
3:00 - 4:00 PM  

Click here to join via Zoom
Webinar ID: 812 9212 8992  
Passcode: 010145  
Dial In: 408-638-0968 

Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) will host an online Public Health Update next Wednesday, February 9, at 3:00 PM for school staff, teachers, administrators, parents, and guardians. This virtual event will feature Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Lisa Santora, who will provide a snapshot of Marin’s current COVID-19 status and answer questions during the Q&A following the presentation. Superintendent of Schools Mary Jane Burke will moderate this online event.  

The Dance Palace Art Committee Presents COVID CathARTic Showcase, February 12 at 7 PM on Zoom!

 

Please join us in a creative community gathering as our friends and neighbors share their artistic performances about the COVID-19 experience. 

Over 20 West Marin poets, musicians, and storytellers of all ages will be sharing their COVID-19 experiences from their perspective:

  • What we have experienced: losses and gains, difficulties we have faced, connections we have missed while adjusting our lives. 
  • Coping mechanisms (such as art, humor, cooking, nature, exercise, dance, music, poetry, and beyond) and adaptations we made during this time.
  • Insights to take with us as we continue to move on
  • Silver-linings” we’ve discovered!
Register for this event here.
 

Get Your Home Ready for Fire Season with a Grant from Marin Prevention Authority


The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority offers two grants opportunities to help residents with expenses related to creating defensible space and home hardening. 

Defensible Space creates a buffer between a structure and the vegetation surrounding it. Home hardening addresses the most vulnerable structure components with building materials and installation techniques that increase resistance to heat, flames, and embers that accompany wildfires. For more information on how to harden your home and create defensible space, visit the Fire Safe Marin website.

To find out eligibility and to apply for a grant, go to
https://www.marinwildfire.org/resident-info/resident-grants#eligiblity-defensible

If you need help with your application and live in coastal West Marin, please call 415-663-8361 x302 or email stomkins@westmarincs.org, and we will connect you with a volunteer who can help. 


If you need help with your application and live in the San Geronimo Valley or Nicasio, please call (415) 488-8888 or email pgiacomini@sgvcc.org, and we will connect you with a volunteer who can help. 

Quick Links

 

COVID Resources

Community Preparedness Resources

Family Resources 

Please forward this message to contacts who would like to subscribe to our email newsletter. Help us keep West Marin informed about COVID-19 and emergency readiness.
 
Subscribe for Updates
Copyright © 2022 Community Response Team (West Marin) c/o West Marin Community Services, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp