How does community immunity work? Germs can travel quickly through a community and make a lot of people sick. If enough people get sick, it can lead to an outbreak.
But when enough people are vaccinated against a certain disease, the germs can’t travel as easily from person to person — and the entire community is less likely to get the disease.
That means even people who can’t get vaccinated will have some protection from getting sick.
And if a person does get sick, there’s le...
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Author: lisa
Power Outages – What to do when the lights go out
Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly. A power outage may:
Disrupt communications, water, and transportation.Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other services.Cause food spoilage and water contamination.Prevent use of medical devices.
PROTECT YOURSELF DURING A POWER OUTAGE:
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.Only use generators outdoors and awa...
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Holiday Health – Sleep
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The children were nestled all snug in their beds….well...maybe not.
The holidays are an exciting time for kiddos and stressful for adults which makes falling asleep at night more difficult. We want everyone to stay on the nice list this Christmas and adhere to bedtime so here are some healthy holiday sleep tips:
1.Try to keep a consistent sleep schedule by having your ...
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Holiday Health – Toy Safety
All toys are not for all children
Christmas is on it’s way and has many parents and children alike counting the days until St. Nick’s arrival. But we all know Santa Claus never comes down the chimney empty handed. And what does he leave under the tree? Presents! Toys in all shapes and sizes.
All toys, however, are not for all children. Keep toys designed for older children out of the hands of little ones. Teach older children to help keep their toys away from younger brothers and sisters...
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Food Inspections
Follow-up Instructions
Generally, follow-up inspections are necessary within 10 days if an establishment has any critical violations or within 30 days if it has a total score below 85 without critical violations. Follow-up inspections can be conducted on the same visit, if the problem is something the restaurant staff can correct immediately. A food establishment can also require more than one follow-up inspection. Some violations may warrant immediate correction.
In any case, if the tot...
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Food Inspections
Scores: What Do They Mean?
Inspections involve a report containing 58 potential items of violation, each of which is assigned a point value based on how it can affect a person’s health. The point values range from one to five, with one being least severe and five being most severe.
Most of the items on the inspection are weighted at one or two points and are characterized as “non-critical” violations. Others are considered a higher threat and are characterized as “critical” violations.
...
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Climate Change & Health
By: Rachel Chinn
Climate Change & Public Health - How climate change is affecting public health
There is scientific agreement that the global climate is changing. This year closes out what is expected to be the hottest decade ever recorded, according to a new report from the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization. A press release for the report claims that the past decade was one of "exceptional global heat," and states that 2019 is likely to be the "second or third war...
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Salmonella and Gravy
Think everything is better with gravy? You may want to reconsider. Thanksgiving is coming up, and Yuletide is around the corner. Many community members will be attending dinners and potlucks to celebrate the holidays. Often marked by eating traditional foods like turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, figgy puddings, and roasts in celebration.
The number of food recalls this year has some people questioning the safety of our food supply and wondering if there is more we can do to ...
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What is the Smoke-Free Partnership?
Two questions concerned citizens of Mason County Public Health should be able to answer are: 1) "Why is secondhand smoke a public health issue?" and 2) "What is the Smoke-Free Partnership?"
So, why is secondhand smoke a public health issue?
Nowadays most people believe and understand that preventing tobacco-use and helping tobacco users quit can improve their health and quality of life.
Even so, people still have a right to smoke.
The issue becomes one of public he...
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Fall Rabies Clinic
This September, the Buffalo Trace District Health Department is offering a Fall Rabies Clinic to protect your pet and your family against the fatal disease. With deer season nearly upon us, it is important to get your pet vaccinated as they are likely to have increased risk of exposure to the disease most commonly carried by wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. This disease is transmittable to humans who have been bitten, scratched, or have come into contact with saliva or n...
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