Community Response Team Newsletter Public Health & Emergency Preparedness Updates
March 24, 2022
Dear Community,
Many of us may feel a collective sigh of relief as COVID cases continue to drop, and as we enter spring, it can feel like a new beginning. It can be easy to feel like the pandemic is a closing chapter as we look ahead to more daylight and warmer months.
Although it is understandable to want COVID behind us, we must stay informed and aware. There is a greater likelihood that another surge will happen and maybe sooner rather than later. As we look to Europe and Asia, whose trends typically have been ahead of us in the pandemic, we see the effects and surges of the BA.2 Omicron variant, already circulating in Marin County. Five out of the last six times, there have been surges in Europe, and surges have quickly followed in the US. The good news is that we have the tools at hand to handle future waves before they are upon us. They include new therapeutics, widespread testing, and vaccines.
Many may not feel the urgency to keep up to date on vaccines, but it is essential to understand that boosters are just as necessary as the initial doses. Even if you have recently had COVID, getting vaccinated or boosted provides added protection. One study showed that those who did not get vaccinated after their recovery are twice as likely to get COVID again than those who get fully vaccinated after their recovery. Getting sick with COVID can offer some protection from future illness, but the level and length of protection may vary.
This month, we have many opportunities in West Marin to boost your defenses with vaccine pop-ups in Tomales and Point Reyes Station. We highly recommend taking action on this before we are hit with another wave.
Lastly, as the weather gets warmer, the risk of fires increases, the more we prepare for disasters in our calmer times, the better we will be when disaster strikes. That's why it's vital to prepare (or re-check) your go bags, check on neighbors who may need assistance in an emergency to make sure they are ready, not forgotten, and are signed up for Alert Marin and Nixle to stay informed.
Take care and stay safe,
West Marin Community Response Team
Marin COVID-19 Update to Board of Supervisors (March 22, 2022)
Dr. Matt Willis, recently back from leave, summarized Marin’s primary outcomes in pandemic response for the county Board of Supervisors and community. The presentation reviews health, education, economic and social factors.
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.
Bolstering our immunity against COVID-19 is of utmost importance, especially with the continued presence of the Omicron variant in our community and the more highly contagious BA2 circulating. 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: Tomales
Thursday, March 31
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
3850 Irvin Road
Tomales, CA 94971
Ages 5 to 11, Pfizer
Ages 12 or older, J&J, Moderna, Pfizer
Appointment Recommended; Walk-Ins Available Schedule An Appointment
Download and share the flyers in English and Spanish here.
Pop-Up: Point Reyes Station
Thursday, March 31
10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Dance Palace
503 B Street
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Ages 5 to 11, Pfizer
Ages 12 or older, J&J, Moderna, Pfizer
Appointment Recommended; Walk-Ins Available Schedule An Appointment
Download and share the flyers in English and Spanish here.
Additional vaccine options in your community include:
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 1-833-574-2273 to request a temporary member ID to book an appointment.
J&J, Moderna, Pfizer
Appointment Required Schedule an appointment here.
Free Take Home COVID Rapid Testing
West Marin Locations
Please note, if you have tested positive, whether by rapid take home 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.
Bolinas
Thursdays, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, and Upon Request
Bolinas Community Center
14 Wharf Street
Bolinas, CA 94924
Point Reyes Station
Mondays and Wednesdays
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
West Marin Community Services
11431 Highway 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
San Geronimo Valley
Thursdays, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The San Geronimo Commons (formerly the golf course)
At the Drive-Thru Food Pantry
5800 Sir Frances Drake Blvd
San Geronimo, CA 94963 Learn More >
Tomales
Thursdays, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Tomales Town Hall (Food Pantry)
27150 Highway 1
Tomales, CA 94971
CDPH Approved and Registered COVID-19 Testing Administrators
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.
Second Round of Free COVID Tests from the Federal Government
Click the blue button that says "order free at-home tests."
Fill out the information with your residential address.
Click the green button that says "check out now."
What if I never placed the first order?
If you have not placed an initial order, you can still place your first AND second orders. Complete the ordering process above two (2) times to place both a first and second order.
Download the testing tree infographic in English and Spanish.
What is “Long COVID” and How Do I Prevent it?
Recently there have been a lot of discussions around long COVID, also called long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID, long-term effects of COVID, or chronic COVID. Long COVID is defined by the CDC as “a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people may experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.”
Many people, including young adults, are suffering from long-term health problems months after they had COVID. New or ongoing symptoms can range from persistent cough to fatigue to “brain fog” or even joint or muscle pain. Those who have experienced severe COVID-19 illness may experience multiorgan or autoimmune long-term effects lasting weeks or months.
The best way to prevent long COVID is by taking steps to prevent COVID-19 illness. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask that has both a good fit and good filtration, are the best ways to prevent long COVID.
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.
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.
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.
Food Bank Services
For home-delivered groceries, please visit the SF-Marin Food Bank website to see if you qualify.
For a list of free food pantries in Marin County visit the HHS Resource Guide.
The U.S. government provides three free adult-size N95 masks to the public for anyone who needs them. Since February, this promotion has been in effect, and you can find masks at local pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens. Grocery stores like Walmart and Sam’s Club are also offering them inside their pharmacies. The N95 mask offers more protection than any other face covering, so upgrade yours today while the promotion lasts.
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