The National Association of County and City Health Officials (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
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has highlighted new opportunities and challenges to protecting children’s environmental health. Join the National Association of County and City Health Officials on April 28 from 3 to 4 PM EDT to learn more about environmental health in early childcare settings during the pandemic. This webinar will cover: (1) unique considerations for children’s environmental health in underserved communities; (2) success strategies and continued gaps in protecting children’s health during concurrent public health emergencies, including COVID-19 and extreme weather; and (3) coordination strategies among states, local health departments, and daycares and other early childcare settings during COVID-19. Send your questions ahead of time to aroy@naccho.org.
Town Hall for Public Officials and Camp Directors
April 20
1 PM - 2:30 PM ET
The American Camp Association and NACCHO welcome public health officials and camp directors to attend a free 90-min Town Hall style webinar to hear the latest guidance from CDC for camp operations. In addition, a case discussion will be presented on the collaborative experience of the Virginia Department of Health and camp community as well as a presentation on the latest updates to the Field Guide. Participants are encouraged to review their state and local camp guidance and access the Field Guide.
From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Time: 3:00—4:00 p.m. ET
- CDC Speakers
- Dr. Cynthia Ogden, Science Officer in Support of the Chief Medical Officer, CDC COVID-19 Emergency Response
- Dr. Vincent Hill, Chief, Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
- Nora Spencer-Loveall, Deputy for Partnerships and Risk Management, CDC COVID-19 Emergency Response (Moderator)
- Dr. Cynthia Ogden will share updates on CDC’s COVID-19 response, including the latest scientific information and what everyone should know about protecting themselves and others. Dr. Vincent Hill will discuss how SARS-CoV-2 impacts cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
- Submit questions by 4/14 to eocevent337@cdc.gov with “Partner Call 4/19” in the subject line.
CDC Guidance for Disinfection of Homes has been updated: CDC confirmed that disinfection at home is likely not needed “unless someone in your home is sick or if someone who is positive for COVID-19 has been in your home within the last 24 hours.” CDC has also updated its guidance for facilities on when to clean more frequently or choose to disinfect in shared spaces.
Science Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and Surface (Fomite) Transmission for Indoor Community Environments: On April 5, CDC updated that “the principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus. It is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), but the risk is generally considered to be low.”
CDC Mental Health Survey for Health Department Staff: Please take 10-15 minutes to participate in an anonymous online survey about the mental health of U.S. public health workers. This survey link will remain open until Friday, April 16. As someone currently working in a public health department, your input is vital. Once we can measure and fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on public health workers’ mental health, we can mobilize the right resources for additional psycho-social support. With your participation, this study will be one of the first, far-reaching efforts to comprehensively understand the mental health needs of public health workers.
See any EH and COVID-19 categories missing on this bi-weekly blog? Let us know by emailing environmentalhealth@naccho.org. Continue to check back with NACCHO’s Essential Elements for COVID-19 and local health resources.
