Tips for choosing a high-filtration mask with a good fit and avoiding counterfeit products

Grabbing a mask before heading out the door remains part of our daily lives. But with the highly contagious Omicron variant still spreading across Oregon, some of our masks may not be protecting us as much as they did against previous COVID-19 variants. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their masking […]

Help save a life: Oregon is facing a critical blood shortage and you can help 

Blood and platelet donations are critical to help prevent delays in vital medical treatments. Donors of all blood types – especially type O − are urged to make an appointment as soon as possible.  

Oregonians can get 2022 health coverage through Jan. 15, 2022

If you don’t qualify for the Oregon Health Plan and don’t get health insurance through your job, now through Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, is an important time. It’s the only time of year most people can sign up for an individual or family plan to have coverage in 2022. Get started by visiting the Oregon […]

Pediatric vaccine rollout highlights Benton County’s focus on health equity

Benton County Health Department’s director/administrator April Holland, MPH, CIC, recently shared good news about the county’s efforts to close vaccine equity gaps. What’s behind this success? As April shared, this indicates “the extremely important role” that school-based clinics have in reaching diverse populations.

Vaccine Voices: “You matter. You deserve it. That’s how we serve our community.”  

With 500 vaccination clinics and counting, the Vaccine Operations Team Equity’s (VOTE) mission is to help communities throughout Oregon access, understand and feel more confident about getting vaccinated. VOTE’s work is especially critical for people in Oregon disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and those who have historically faced health disparities.     To reach its goal, VOTE collaborates with more than 150 community-based organizations to reach people through trusted community partners that bring energy, […]

Vaccine Voices: ‘An amazing orchestra of kindness and hard work’

It was a season of strife in the U.S. with vandalism, violence and hurtful rhetoric making the news daily. So, when Sallie Cohen found herself feeling overwhelmed by the negativity, she decided to try something positive, posting this note on social media: “Is anyone interested in creating a group where all we do is good stuff?” They were, and they did.

Vaccine Voices: ‘Pow! Kick! Bang!’ The comic book ‘Fighting Covid’ hasn’t lost its punch.

The “Pow! Kick! Bang!” of the comic Fighting Covid hasn’t lost its punch. Nine months after NW Disability Support (NWDS) debuted the comic book and its follow-up, Beating COVID,the non-profit has delivered the graphic tales to more than 250,000 households.

FDA panel endorses first antiviral treatment for COVID-19

Today, an expert panel of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) endorsed the use of the Merck antiviral drug molnupiravir for treatment of symptomatic COVID-19 in test-confirmed patients with high risk conditions. The FDA has not yet authorized the treatment.