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Community Response Team Newsletter
Public Health & Emergency Preparedness Updates
April 20, 2022

Dear Community,

We hope you are enjoying the much-needed rain and all those blooming wildflowers. We have more than a few new updates to share this week, not only in the realm of the pandemic but also in disaster preparedness and public health. As we've mentioned many times, vaccines are the best form of protection as we brace for the potential another wave and new variants. All pop-up vaccine sites in West Marin will be offering 2nd boosters for those 50+. It's also great to get the facts on COVID-19 treatments as more ways to treat this virus have emerged.

As warmer weather hits and more events happen, it's good to be informed about the best way to navigate large events with the CDPH Safe and SMART Events Playbook. CDPH has also updated its guidance for isolation and quarantine.

Other updates this week include an upcoming blood drive on May 19th in San Geronimo. Blood is in very short supply due to the pandemic so consider giving blood and make an appointment here. The Red Cross offers free smoke alarm installations, and PG&E will host an upcoming Wildfire Virtual Town Hall and Webinars. Let's keep up the excellent work on building our community immunity and disaster preparations!

Take care and stay safe,
West Marin Community Response Team

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

Vaccination Appointments

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!
ALL LOCATIONS OFFER 2ND BOOSTERS FOR 50+

Pop-Up: San Geronimo
Thursday, April 21 & Thursday, May 5
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
San Geronimo Commons
5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
San Geronimo, CA 94963
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, April 28
2 PM - 5 PM
West Marin Community Services
11431 CA-1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
(Vaccines on Mesa Rd. side of the building, next to the food pantry)
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:     

Vaccines

Free Take-Home COVID Rapid Testing
West Marin Locations

 
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


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

West Marin Community Services and San Geronimo Valley Community Center distribute masks to local community-based organizations and individuals. Masks are available during testing hours at both locations. Make sure you have enough masks in preparation for fire season. 
 


Second Round of Free COVID Tests from the Federal Government www.covidtests.gov (Spanish)
 

Should I Get a COVID Test?
Download the testing tree infographic in English and Spanish.

Slow the Spread

 

Marin Aligns with Updated CDPH Isolation & Quarantine Guidance 


California Department of Public Health recently updated its guidance for Isolation and Quarantine for the general public. These updates are in response to increased immunity within our community and the evolution of the virus itself. 
 

The following is a summary of changes to this guidance: 

  • Quarantine recommendations have been removed for those who have had a COVID-19 exposure and are asymptomatic.
  • The definition of “close contact” has been expanded to include shared indoor airspace (e.g., home, clinic waiting room, airplane, etc.) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over 24 hours with a covid-positive person during their infectious period. 
  • The definition of “infectious period” has been updated: 
  • For symptomatic infectious persons:  The contagious period is two days before the infected person had any symptoms through Day 10 after symptoms first appeared (or through Day 5 if testing negative on Day 5 or later), and 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and symptoms have improved, OR 
  • For asymptomatic infectious persons: The contagious period is two days before the positive specimen collection date through Day 10 after the positive specimen collection date (or through Day 5 if testing negative on Day 5 or later) after the specimen collection date for their first positive COVID-19 test. 
  • In specific high-risk settings, work exclusion or restriction are recommended.
 
This updated guidance is for the general public and does not apply to schools or healthcare personnel in specific settings.  
 
Learn more about isolation and quarantine requirements for specific settings:  

Still unsure? Use this Quarantine and Isolation Calculator here.



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.
 

COVID-19 Treatments 

Get the Facts on COVID-19 Treatments

 


Masks Remain Advisable for Travel  

On April 18th, a federal judge in Florida voided the mask mandate for travel on airlines and other public transportation, effective immediately. Several airlines have already indicated masks will no longer be required on domestic flights. Marin County Public Health strongly recommends mask use during travel, especially in crowded indoor settings such as airline terminals and gates, and while on an aircraft when social distancing is not possible. Travelers should be aware that others who are traveling are now less likely to be wearing masks, increasing the risk of exposure. Residents at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should consider additional measures, such as wearing a well-fitted KN95 mask during travel. 

West Marin Blood Drive


Due to the pandemic, we are in one of the worst national blood shortages in more than a decade. One way we can make a difference in the lives of others is by donating blood - please consider making an appointment to donate blood at our May 19th Blood Drive. 

San Geronimo Valley
Thursday, May 19
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM

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


More information here.
Make an appointment here.

Fire Safety 

Wildfire Safety Webinars and a Virtual Town Hall

PG&E hosts a Virtual Safety Town Hall for all customers on April 20 at 5:30 pm. They also have an upcoming Wildfire Safety Webinar for Marin County on May 4. Learn more here.
Free Smoke Alarm Installations

The Red Cross is offering FREE smoke alarm installations and home fire safety information in Marin County. Learn more here.
Become CERT Certified

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. In a major disaster, our first responders will be overwhelmed so it's critical citizens be prepared to take care of themselves, their neighbors, and their community for 5-7 days. The CERT training teaches you how to help after a disaster.

Upcoming Trainings This Month
San Rafael: April 26 (and the following 3 Tuesdays)

Sign up here.

Quick Links
 

COVID Resources

Community Preparedness Resources

West Marin Community Preparedness / Disaster Councils

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.
 
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Copyright © 2022 Community Response Team (West Marin) c/o West Marin Community Services, All rights reserved.


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