FEDERAL NEWS
House Hearing on Long COVID
The House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis hosted a hearing on long COVID on July 19th. Long COVID has affected millions of Americans, sometimes causing serious, long-term health issues that have forced people out of the workforce and interfered with daily life. A recent federal government estimate indicates that nearly 1 in 5 adults who have previously been infected with the coronavirus are still experiencing symptoms of Long COVID, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction (e.g., “brain fog”), and chronic pain, among others. Approximately 1 million Americans may have been pushed out of work because of the condition, causing them to lose wages and, in some cases, employer-based health insurance. Many Americans face difficulties in receiving a diagnosis and treatment due to a lack of awareness and barriers to care. The hearing can be viewed on the Committee’s live stream.
VACCINE NEWS
COVID-19 Boosters Offer Good Protection Against Early Omicron Subvariants
First and second COVID-19 vaccine booster doses conferred substantial protection against emergency department/urgent care (ED/UC) visits and hospitalizations caused by infections with the Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.2.12.1, finds a CDC study of adults in 10 US states published late last week in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Analysis of the study by CIDRAP is found here.
STATE NEWS
Statewide Webinar – Catching Up on Health Care Facility COVID-19 Precautions and Treatment in this Highly Fluid Time, Wednesday July 27th at 1:00 PM
We know there is confusion among health care facilities these days about masking and other COVID-19 precautions these days. Here’s your chance to hear what State officials are saying these days about CMS and CDC guidance how it is being interpreted by KDADS and KDHE in LTC and acute care health care settings.
We have asked for time for questions. Come prepared to pose your questions/concerns/observations in the Chat Box about what is going on in your area.
Officials will also touch on current COVID-19 treatments and the importance of utilization.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
Join Us This Friday for our Weekly Webinar
On July 29th, we will host Chuck Clanahan, U.S. Department of Homeland Security who will present on the Active Shooter Policy. This session will NOT be recorded due to a request from him. Make sure to attend the webinar live that day so you don’t miss his session. The entire webinar will not be recorded as we cannot start recording in the middle. We can’t wait to have you join us!
Get the latest on COVID-19, CMS, the Legislature and more each Friday at 10 AM. If you haven’t registered for future calls, you can do so here. If you would like to listen to updates you have missed, visit this page.
LEADINGAGE NATIONAL NEWS
Coronavirus Update Call Wednesday, July 20th at 2:30 PM CT
More than ever before, we need aging services leaders who are prepared to pull up their sleeves and get engaged.On Wednesday, we will welcome Dr. Michael Wasserman to discuss an article he recently wrote on the importance of developing leadership skills in aging services and how we can integrate long term care in local planning to prepare for the future. If you haven’t registered for LeadingAge Update Calls, you can do so here. You can also find previous call recordings here. Note that to access recordings of the calls you need a LeadingAge password. Any staff member of any LeadingAge member organization can set up a password to access previous calls and other “members only” content.
Campaign Special Feature: Workforce Wednesday
The workforce crisis in our sector requires immediate action. LeadingAge is pulling out all stops to urge the federal government to take action in the Aging Services Workforce Now advocacy campaign, while also providing resources and tools for members to make an immediate impact in their workforce and communities. Join us to take action for the aging services workforce–now!
Participate in the July 27th National Workforce Day Of Action – Your Voice is Essential
It is time for all of us to make more noise to let our elected leaders in Washington D.C. know they must act NOW for the aging services workforce. Who do we mean by “us?” LeadingAge Kansas member executives, administrators, department heads, your Board members, and the people you serve and employ. Let’s set a Kansas goal of at least 3- 10 contacts from each member organization. On Wednesday, July 27th, join fellow LeadingAge members around the country for a virtual National Workforce Day of Action, part of the Aging Services Workforce Now campaign–and demand Congress take responsibility and immediate action to address the workforce crisis in aging services. Learn more.
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