NACCHO has been releasing bi-weekly blogs consisting of an up-to-date collection of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resources for our members working at the intersection of environmental health and COVID-19. See past resource roundups here.

Across NACCHO

• NACCHO is still seeking tools/resources around efficiencies to do routine inspections/follow-up calls regarding enteric disease work during COVID-19 and/or other emergencies! To submit a resource to the Toolkit, please email [email protected].
• Webinars:
  • Hygiene-related behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among U.S. populations: A review *New*
    A range of hygiene-related behaviors have been promoted as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response. This includes frequent handwashing, frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and frequent cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. To help understand who is engaging in these behaviors and what influences their decisions to engage in these behaviors, researchers in the Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch of the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have engaged in a range of quantitative and qualitative studies. This February 18 webinar will describe some of these findings, and participants will learn about potential strategies to increase engagement in hygiene-related behaviors.
  • eCR Now: Using Communications to Expand Implementation
    NACCHO invites local health department leadership and staff to join this webinar on February 4. This webinar will provide a brief overview and status of electronic case reporting (eCR) and cover communication resources public health departments can use in their outreach to healthcare organizations. The presenters will draw on their experience implementing eCR to illustrate opportunities to engage healthcare organizations in the eCR Now initiative. Register here.
• Opportunities to Strengthen Workforce Diversity, Health Equity and Racial Justice by Partnering with Health Career Connection: Health Career Connection (HCC), a national non-profit, inspires, empowers, and professionally prepares the next generation of diverse, transformational health, equity, and racial justice leaders. HCC provides promising undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds and under-resourced communities with life changing, career launching opportunities. Through HCC’s comprehensive paid internship programs and alumni professional development initiatives, HCC provides exposure, experience, mentorship and skill building which empowers participants to discover their authentic health career path, succeed educationally, secure jobs and achieve their health and social impact goals. HCC’s website and this video highlight their mission, programs and impact.
  
  NACCHO and HCC have entered into a new national partnership to assist health departments to meet their talent, diversity, equity and racial justice goals by empowering the next generation of diverse health leaders and professionals. HCC has talented diverse students that can work in health departments on COVID-19, health equity, and other priority projects in summer 2021 and beyond. To learn more about the opportunity for your local health department to host a HCC intern for a discounted rate this summer, watch the informational webinar recording. If you have any questions or are interested in next steps, please contact [email protected].

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started: Designed for communication with essential workers including police officers, firefighters, and people working in education, child care centers, and grocery stores, this toolkit will help organizations educate their employees about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns.
  • Upcoming CDC Partner Update Call: “COVID-19 Information for Essential Workplaces” on February 8. Register here.

From Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO)

• Webinar: Valentine’s Celebration of Food Delivery during Worldwide Pandemic: February 12 at 2 PM ET.

From the COVID Collaborative (Click on the image to RSVP!)

Early Childcare and Education Resources Across the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and Other Partners

• Indoor Air Quality/ Calidad del Aire fact sheet- Eco-Healthy Child Care®
• Indoor Air and Coronavirus webpage Environmental Protection Agency
• Lead-Safe Toolkit for Home-Based Child Care toolkit- Eco-Healthy Child Care®, National Center for Healthy Housing and the National Association for Family Child Care
• Ventilation Guidance, webpage (includes numerous FAQs), San Francisco Department of Public Health
• Portable Air Cleaners, FAQ, San Francisco Department of Public Health
• Coronavirus Response Resources, webpage, The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers

See any EH and COVID-19 categories missing on this bi-weekly blog? Let us know by emailing [email protected]. Continue to check back with NACCHO’s Essential Elements for COVID-19 and local health resources.