Category: Brief Messages or Announcements

Martin Luther King Upcoming Schedule of Events

Upcoming Events for Martin Luther King Celebration of Human Rights includes:

  • “Service Day – Kit Building for Those in Need | Jan. 20, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Location: Activity Center (260 IMU)
    Come together to make a positive impact by assembling kits for individuals facing various challenges. Your participation will contribute to creating a better community.”
     
  • “MLK Distinguished Lecture by Michele Norris | Jan. 23, 2024 at Noon
    Location: Prem Sahai Auditorium, 1110 Medical Education and Research Facility, MERF
    Title: Our Hidden Conversations
    Join us for a distinguished lecture by Michele Norris, NPR Journalist, on the theme “Our Hidden Conversations.”

Iowa Update for Martin Luther King Events!

The frigid weather has led to updates in the events for the MLK Celebration. Among them is the postponement of the Unity March and Community-wide Celebration. This is planned for February.

CDC Reports Respiratory Virus Activity Elevated or Increasing

The CDC on January 12, 2024 reported that respiratory virus activity is elevated or increasing across the country. The summary:

“Summary

Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 activity remain elevated in most parts of the country; however, the rapid increases seen over the past several weeks appear to be slowing. The U.S. continues to experience elevated RSV activity, particularly among young children. Hospital bed occupancy for all patients, including within intensive care units, remains stable nationally. However, some jurisdictions are reporting strain on hospitals locally, driven, in part, by recent increases in respiratory illness.

Influenza

Multiple indicators of influenza activity including test positivity, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations are elevated. Additional information about the recent increases in influenza activity can be found at: Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report | CDC.

COVID-19

Despite test positivity (percentage of tests conducted that were positive), emergency department visits, and hospitalizations remaining elevated nationally, the rates have stabilized, or in some instances decreased, after multiple weeks of continual increase. Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are highest among infants and older adults but are also elevated for young children. Despite the high levels of infection measured using wastewater viral activity and test positivity data, at this time, COVID-19 infections are causing severe disease less frequently than earlier in the pandemic.

RSV

RSV activity remains elevated nationally in all regions, though decreases have been observed in some areas. Hospitalization rates remain elevated in young children and continue to increase among older adults.

Vaccination

National vaccination coverage for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines remains low for children and adults. Vaccines are available and can help protect people from the most serious health effects of fall and winter viruses.”

CDC Guidelines for Preventing Hypothermia & Frostbite

It’s going to get colder in Iowa with wind chill factors raising the risk for cold weather-related illness. Read CDC guidelines about how to recognize and prevent hypothermia and frostbite.

Snow Removal in Iowa City

Iowa City has web pages for the rules on snow removal by the city plows and by residents.

You can see the pdf of the map for residential street priorities for snow removal.

Shoveling snow or using a heavy snow blower can be hazardous to your health. There is guidance from the National Safety Council about how to remove snow. On the other hand, there are definite rules about clearing snow from your sidewalk.

There are no rules against juggling snowballs that I know of.

CDC Weekly Snapshot Shows Respiratory Virus Activity High

As of January 5, 2024, CDC is reporting that respiratory illness is increasing across the country. The levels are generally high in almost all regions.

“Activity Levels Update:

  • The amount of respiratory illness (fever plus cough or sore throat) causing people to seek healthcare is elevated or increasing across most areas of the country. This week, 39 jurisdictions experienced high or very high activity.
  • Nationally, emergency department visits due to influenza and COVID-19 are elevated in all age groups and increasing in all but school-aged children. Recent, holiday-related school closures and associated changes in healthcare seeking behavior may be impacting trends in influenza- and COVID-19-related visits among school-aged children. RSV-related emergency department visits decreased slightly nationally.
  • Nationally, COVID-19 wastewater viral activity levels and test percent positivity—indicators for infection levels—are higher than the same time last year (currently estimated as being 27% higher and 17% higher, respectively). However, indicators for illness requiring medical attention are lower, including emergency department rates being 21% lower than the same time last year.”

Martin Luther King Jr Day 2024!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day is officially the third Monday of January every year. It’s January 15, 2024 this year. It’s really a community affair, which hopefully expands more broadly out to all people.

There are a number of events planned. In the spirit of emphasizing the community projects, here’s the high points:

The University of Iowa general announcement highlights the food drive and service goals.

The City of Coralville web site lists many activities, including an opportunity to help paint a community mural on January 15th!

The Iowa City web page lists several activities as well, including an MLK Day Family Storytime on January 15th.

CDC Reports Respiratory Virus Activity Increasing

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported respiratory illness leading to visits to the emergency room and hospitalization are rising across the country.

  • “Seasonal influenza activity is elevated and increasing in most parts of the country.
  • COVID-19 activity also remains elevated overall and is increasing in many areas.  Based on the biweekly period ending 12/23/2023, JN.1 is predicted to be the most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 lineage nationally.
  • RSV activity remains elevated in many areas of the country, though decreases have been observed in some areas.
  • Hospital bed occupancy and capacity, including within intensive care units, remain stable nationally.”