 October 2020 // Volume 2, Issue 10
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Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from FluThis year has been a challenging time for our Jeffco community, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more important than ever for residents to do everything they can to remain as healthy as possible. As we enter flu season, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) encourages people to get their flu vaccine, as it is one more way to protect you and your family and give you some peace of mind. While it’s important to get your flu shot every season, 2020 is an especially important year to get vaccinated to protect from the compounding health problems of flu and COVID-19. Having the flu and COVID-19 at the same time could make you more susceptible to serious complications, and while no one ever wants to be hospitalized, hospitalization during the novel coronavirus pandemic means facilities may be strained for resources and equipment, as well as have stricter visitation guidelines. To help meet the need within our community for increased vaccination, JCPH will be hosting vaccination clinics throughout the remainder of the year. Get more info on our local clinics here, or visit vaccinefinder.org to find a vaccination location near you! Stay well! Dr. Margaret Huffman Director of Community Health Services Jefferson County Public Health
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Thank You Dr. Johnson — A Career of ServiceJefferson County Public Health’s Executive Director, Mark B. Johnson, MD, MPH, retired from the department on October 2, 2020, after more than 30 years of public health service to the county. Johnson was originally set to retire from JCPH in early 2020, but extended his time with the department to help guide the county through the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the full release here and read about Dr. Johnson's public health career here: https://bit.ly/2FwFK7W
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COVID-19 Update to the CommunityCases of COVID-19 have continued to increase in Jefferson County. JCPH urges our community to be vigilant about prevention steps so we can curb the spread and keep our community and economy open, especially as we head into the holiday season. Read more in this message from Christine Billings, Head of the Office of Pandemic Response, here.
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JCPH Offers Tips for a Safe, Healthy Halloween & Día de los MuertosCelebrating Halloween and Día de los Muertos are cherished fall traditions for many people, but this year we’ll need to celebrate a little differently. JCPH has put together tips for your celebrations to help keep you as safe as possible, whether you are trick-or-treating, passing out candy or celebrating at home. Read more here.
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CDPHE Announces New Dial FrameworkColorado’s Dial Framework standardizes different levels of “openness” at the county level. It is a tool for counties to use to make life during the pandemic more sustainable, allowing Colorado to balance, to the greatest extent possible, controlling the virus with our social and economic needs. Jefferson County is currently in the Safer at Home Level 2 – Concern phase. Get more info at www.jeffco.us/safer-at-home
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Jeffco Partners Warn Community of Increase in Fentanyl-related OverdosesThe Jefferson County Substance Use Partnership (JCSUP), Jefferson County Communities That Care (CTC) coalition, Lakewood Police Department and other partners across the metro region have identified an increase in fatal overdoses involving the powerful opioid, fentanyl. We want to make sure our community members, especially people who use illicit drugs, are aware of this serious increased risk and provide information on how to reduce the risk of overdose. See full press release here to learn more.
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Reminder: Stay Safe During Wildfire SeasonWhen wildfires burn near you, smoke can reach your community. Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, buildings and other materials. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or heart disease, and children, pregnant women and responders are especially at risk. Be ready to protect yourself against smoke and ash before, during and after a wildfire.
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NEW Posts up on JCPH’s Blog Series, Resilience Have you checked out Resilience yet? Find topics related to mental health and coping during COVID-19. Weekly resources in Spanish and English. See posts on work from home rituals, joy, sleep, creating healthy patterns, gratitude and more. Follow along to see the new posts every week. Read more.
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DATA ROUNDUP: COVID-19 Case Summary
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As we work to lessen the spread of COVID-19 in Jefferson County, you can stay up to date on the case data. Click here for a summary of cases at the state level. Click here for a summary of cases in Jefferson County.
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Talk with Your Teen About MarijuanaUsing marijuana during adolescence can result in damage to a teen's rapidly developing brain, and the younger a person starts using a substance like marijuana, the more likely they are to use other harmful substances later in life. In Jefferson County, nearly one third of high school seniors report having used marijuana in the last 30 days. Talk to your teen about marijuana. Ask them their perception of it, and have the hard conversations about addiction, coping and risk.
The best way to show your teen you care? Be there. Have a talk with your teen. Learn more at twelvetalks.com. NEW Open For Business Video SeriesJefferson County businesses have creatively cared for their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the county’s new “Open for Business” video series featuring some of the businesses going above and beyond to keep employees and customers safe. If you see a business going above and beyond, you can nominate them here!
October Board of Health Meeting (Virtual)The October Board of Health meeting will be held on October 20, beginning at 4 p.m. Find the Zoom information for joining virtually on our Board of Health webpage.
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Clerk & RecorderElection season is here, and Jeffco’s Clerk and Recorder office will be mailing out ballots beginning October 9. Find all kinds of info about voting, including voting locations, a ballot tracker and more, at www.votejeffco.com.
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