Stone County Community Health Coalition discusses encouraging report at monthly meeting
January 28, 2021
Cindy Hembree
Covid testing, vaccines, and the progress of an educational grant were the focus of the Stone County Community Health Coalition last week.
The Coalition met on Thurs., Jan. 21 via Zoom. Monica Mueller, Coalition president, spoke about wearing masks. Knowing the public is growing weary of the virus threat, Mueller compared masks to seat belts. “They are not 100 percent, but it is still very important people wear them,” she said.
Mueller had positive news to report; in the week leading up to the meeting, the number of viruses in the county had diminished. Mueller said, at that time, only 47 cases were being monitored.
The rollout of vaccines is also underway. Phase IB Tier 1 was executed earlier this month. This phase was explicitly for public service workers, first responders, and medical staff members using the Pfizer vaccine.
Those eligible for the next Phase IB Tier 2 will be 65 and older and adults with certain health conditions. Those shots will come from Moderna Laboratories. The health department has not yet received these vaccinations; they encourage residents to go to their Facebook page online for instructions on how to pre-register for the shots.
The health department had to purchase a special refrigerator to house the immunizations when they arrive. A HemaCool refrigerator has unique features designed that allow a much cooler temperature to circulate than the residential models in the average kitchen. They hold less humidity and have better temperature stability, even in the case of a power outage.
The arrival of the Phase IB Tier 2 vaccines is not yet known. The vaccine will be free to area residents, but it has not yet been decided if there will be an administration fee.
Before closing on the subject of immunizations, there was a final push regarding flu inoculations. “Shots are very important,” said Judy Carpenter, Lakeland Pharmacy spokesperson. “But it is also just as important for people to keep up with their immune systems, also.” She emphasized the urgency to take the precautions necessary, not just for the pandemic but overall health. Dressing appropriately for the weather, eating a healthy diet, and exercising are essential to maintaining proper health.
Mueller also spoke about the application for a $10,500 Missouri Course Access Program grant from the Missouri Foundation of Health, being submitted by grant writer Stacey Simmons. “This would be a really big deal to receive this grant. It would really help the community with the prevention of substance abuse for our youth,” said Mueller. Two factors make this grant a big deal. This program is usually only considered for urban communities and, though the initial plan is only funded for one year, some extensions could last as long as a decade. Mueller said the first year would be dedicated to infrastructure. “This coalition has substance abuse as its number one priority,” she stated.
The last business article was the confirmation of the present officers in the Coalition; Monica Mueller, president; Becky Whiteford, vice president; Colleen Neill, secretary; and Marietta Hagan, treasurer. The meeting was adjourned shortly after that.
The Coalition was formed in 2014 to collectively keep track of residents’ overall health here in Stone County. It is a conglomerate of health agencies such as Fordland Clinic, Stone County Health Department, Lakeland Pharmacy, private citizens, and other entities that take part in the organization.
Cindy Hembree
Covid testing, vaccines, and the progress of an educational grant were the focus of the Stone County Community Health Coalition last week.
The Coalition met on Thurs., Jan. 21 via Zoom. Monica Mueller, Coalition president, spoke about wearing masks. Knowing the public is growing weary of the virus threat, Mueller compared masks to seat belts. “They are not 100 percent, but it is still very important people wear them,” she said.
Mueller had positive news to report; in the week leading up to the meeting, the number of viruses in the county had diminished. Mueller said, at that time, only 47 cases were being monitored.
The rollout of vaccines is also underway. Phase IB Tier 1 was executed earlier this month. This phase was explicitly for public service workers, first responders, and medical staff members using the Pfizer vaccine.
Those eligible for the next Phase IB Tier 2 will be 65 and older and adults with certain health conditions. Those shots will come from Moderna Laboratories. The health department has not yet received these vaccinations; they encourage residents to go to their Facebook page online for instructions on how to pre-register for the shots.
The health department had to purchase a special refrigerator to house the immunizations when they arrive. A HemaCool refrigerator has unique features designed that allow a much cooler temperature to circulate than the residential models in the average kitchen. They hold less humidity and have better temperature stability, even in the case of a power outage.
The arrival of the Phase IB Tier 2 vaccines is not yet known. The vaccine will be free to area residents, but it has not yet been decided if there will be an administration fee.
Before closing on the subject of immunizations, there was a final push regarding flu inoculations. “Shots are very important,” said Judy Carpenter, Lakeland Pharmacy spokesperson. “But it is also just as important for people to keep up with their immune systems, also.” She emphasized the urgency to take the precautions necessary, not just for the pandemic but overall health. Dressing appropriately for the weather, eating a healthy diet, and exercising are essential to maintaining proper health.
Mueller also spoke about the application for a $10,500 Missouri Course Access Program grant from the Missouri Foundation of Health, being submitted by grant writer Stacey Simmons. “This would be a really big deal to receive this grant. It would really help the community with the prevention of substance abuse for our youth,” said Mueller. Two factors make this grant a big deal. This program is usually only considered for urban communities and, though the initial plan is only funded for one year, some extensions could last as long as a decade. Mueller said the first year would be dedicated to infrastructure. “This coalition has substance abuse as its number one priority,” she stated.
The last business article was the confirmation of the present officers in the Coalition; Monica Mueller, president; Becky Whiteford, vice president; Colleen Neill, secretary; and Marietta Hagan, treasurer. The meeting was adjourned shortly after that.
The Coalition was formed in 2014 to collectively keep track of residents’ overall health here in Stone County. It is a conglomerate of health agencies such as Fordland Clinic, Stone County Health Department, Lakeland Pharmacy, private citizens, and other entities that take part in the organization.