As I write to you this week, we are day 2 of 95 degree, plus, heat wave. I am sure we will probably have more to come in the months of July and August. Though we don’t have a cooling center here in Rehoboth, please feel free to join us at the Senior Center for lunch or activities during the daytime hours. If transportation is troublesome, you can contact GATRA, Dial-a Ride at 774-226-1219. You do need to register with them and then provide at least 24-hour notice. The cost is minimal. We have senior luncheon at the Senior Center on Mondays and Wednesdays, so if you’d like to join us on Mondays be sure to call GATRA the previous Friday. It helps the chef if he has numbers, so just give me a call (508-252-5947, ex 3127) or an e-mail at ghamel@rehobthma.gov and I’ll let chef know. As we go through these hot days be sure to keep yourself and your family cool and hydrated. For little ones heading off to camp, please be sure they have plenty of water, and be sure they know to drink it. And of course, be sure they have sun protecting hats and sunscreen. Even for us adult, be sure to stay hydrated and out of the heat during the middle of the day. Keep windows covered with blinds or curtains helps to keep some of the heat out for your home, and if you don’t have air conditioning, fans work well but be aware having a fan blowing directly on you does evaporate sweat off our bodies, so hydration continues to be very important. Never leave pets in the car during these extremes of weather, not even for a few minutes. The heat inside a car is up to 20 degrees higher than outside the car, so even a few minutes can lead to serious heat-injury or death. This extreme heat has a significant impact on air quality, so I will also update my web page with the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Rehoboth.
Lyme disease continues to spike here in Rehoboth, so please continue to take precautions against tick bites. I am posting the Arbovirus weekly update on my web page, under Public Health Nurse on the department listings.
There is a new strain of COVID that is starting to show up on the west coast. The name Nimbus has been coined from the variant NB.1.8.1. Per the CDC, "Nimbus is a catchy, quick name, and it also includes an 'N' and a 'B' from the lineage”
This new variant is also nicknamed the razorblade throat variant, based on the severity of the sore throat that seems to be the hallmark of this strain. Vaccination against the virus, particularly those with health issues or who are immunocompromised, remains the best way to prevent infection along with the gold standard of handwashing and proper cough etiquette. If you are travelling using public transportation, particularly via airplane, is a very good idea to wear a mask.
Our usual nursing services continue, including the BP screening clinic on Monday at the Senior Center from 11;45 am-1:15 pm.
Home wellness checks are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment.
The podiatry clinic is on July 3rd by appointment. The next podiatry clinic will be the first Thursday on September.
The topic for this month healthy living presentation is Understanding Dementia on July 2nd at 11am in the Arcade building. Though the topic for August is still in discussion, the date will be August 6th. Stay tuned to my web page for more details.
Until August,
Be kind, be safe, be healthy,
Sincerely,
Geri
508-252-5947 ex. 31217
ghamel@rehobothma.gov
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