Tag Archives: COVID

Resources for Families and Seniors

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During the COVID pandemic there were numerous rent subsidy programs offered by state, county, and city governments.  Many programs remain to help low-income rental households including the utility CARE programs, senior and family resource centers, food banks and more. 

Family resources in your county:

Orange –Families Forward: www.families-forward.org/resources/ or call (949) 552-2727

Riverside – First 5: rccfc.org or call 1-(800) 266-3880

San Bernardino – Stars Behavioral Health Group: www.starsinc.com/family-resource-center-frc/ or call (909) 388-2222

Senior resources in your county:

Orange – Office on Aging: www.officeonaging.ocgov.com/resources or call (855) 886-5400. 

Riverside – Office on Aging: www.rcaging.org or call (877) 932-4100

San Bernardino – Office on Aging: sbcounty.gov/daas/ or call (909) 891-3900

SoCal – Council on Aging Southern California: www.coasc.org or call (833) 772-6624

All Vaccinated Adults in California Can Now Get a COVID Booster Shot

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Booster shots have been a hot topic in recent discussions about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but have been limited to higher risk groups in many jurisdictions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends booster shots to any vaccinated adult 65 or older. The CDC also recommends boosters for people 18 and older who live or work in long-term or high-risk settings or have underlying health conditions.

As of November 11, 2021, California expanded COVID vaccine booster eligibility to include all fully vaccinated adults, ages 18 and up.

As with the initial vaccine, COVID booster shots are free, regardless of insurance status. The timing to determine your eligibility for a booster depends on the type of vaccine you originally received:

Pfizer: at least 6 months after 2nd dose

Moderna: at least 6 months after 2nd dose

Johnson & Johnson: at least 2 months after single dose

Visit MyTurn.ca.gov, call 833-422-4255, or contact your local drugstore or pharmacy directly to make an appointment.

About the COVID-19 Delta Variant

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The latest information about COVID-19 has been heavily focused on the Delta variant, which is now the predominant strain of the virus globally. Earlier this year, COVID cases in the United States were declining as more people got vaccinated. With the new dominance of the Delta variant, COVID cases are spiking nationwide and putting severe strain on hospitals. The amount of information surrounding the virus and how to protect yourself is constantly evolving and can be overwhelming. So here are some important points regarding this more dangerous Delta variant.

The Delta variant is more contagious – The Delta variant is significantly more contagious than earlier strains of the virus, about twice as much as previous variants, and causes more infections.

It seems to cause more severe symptoms – Though COVID symptoms are the same, the Delta variant appears to be causing worse symptoms at a faster rate. Studies also suggest that patients infected with the Delta variant are more likely to be hospitalized than with previous strains.

Unvaccinated people are at greatest risk – Because this strain is more contagious and volatile, those who have not been vaccinated are more likely to contract the virus, suffer more severe symptoms, and spread it to others over a longer period of time. Though there are rare cases of vaccinated people getting COVID infections, their symptoms are far less severe and they are contagious for less time.

The CDC recommends masks for EVERYONE in crowded settings and public indoor spaces – For areas with substantial or high transmission, which is currently the vast majority of the United States, the CDC recommends that everyone, including vaccinated people, utilize masks in crowded environments and indoor public settings. You can view Delta variant hot spots and transmission rates on the CDC website.

Vaccination is the best defense against COVID-19 – Even though there have been rare cases of vaccinated people being infected, their symptoms have been milder than for unvaccinated patients. Vaccines are still widely available and FREE for everyone age 12 or older, even without insurance.

Find out where to get vaccinated by calling 833-422-4255 or visiting myturn.ca.gov.

Learn more about COVID-19, vaccines, and the Delta variant at www.cdc.gov.

You can get vaccinated!

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Since the release of the first COVID vaccines, availability has been limited to tiered groups based on risk level, age, and location. Now, all those in California who can receive the vaccine are eligible.

When?
As of April 15, 2021 every Californian age 16 and up is eligible to be vaccinated.

Where?
At this time, most vaccine locations in Orange County and Inland Empire require an appointment. Appointment availability will vary by date and location. You can schedule an appointment through myturn.ca.gov, or directly through many individual vaccination locations. To find vaccination locations near you, check vaccinefinder.org.

How much does it cost?
Nothing! The federal government is providing COVID-19 vaccines free of charge to all people living in the United States, even those without healthcare.

To stay up to date with the latest information about COVID vaccines, visit cdc.gov.