Keeping Glen Cove SAFE: COVID-19

Keeping Glen Cove SAFE: COVID-19

The SAFE Glen Cove Coalition is concerned about COVID-19 and its consequences and would like to connect the public to important resources for individuals, families, youth and health care providers.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and variants of concern

What you Need to Know:

Variants Are Expected. Viruses constantly change through mutation and sometimes these mutations result in a new variant of the virus. Some variants emerge and disappear while others persist. New variants will continue to emerge. CDC and other public health organizations monitor all variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 in the United States and globally.

Variants of Concern:

Update on SARS-CoV-2 Variant JN.1

(As of December 2023)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What to know about JN.1

  • How variants spread: The virus that causes COVID-19 is constantly changing over time. Sometimes these changes allow new variants to spread more quickly or effectively. If that occurs, the new variant may become more common relative to other variants that are circulating.
  • How common: CDC projects that the variant JN.1 comprises an estimated 15–29% of in the United States as of December 8, 2023. More information about these projections, including why JN.1 is appearing on the Nowcast separately for the first time, is available in the section below.
    • CDC projects that JN.1 will continue to increase as a proportion of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences. It is currently the fastest-growing variant in the United States.
  • History: JN.1 is closely related to the variant BA.2.86 that CDC has been tracking since August.
    • Even though BA.2.86 and JN.1 sound very different because of the way variants are named, there is only a single change between JN.1 and BA.2.86 in the spike protein.
    • JN.1 was first detected in the United States in September 2023. By the end of October, it made up less than 0.1% of SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
    • Previously, JN.1 was grouped with BA.2.86 on COVID Data Tracker.
  • Impact: The continued growth of JN.1 suggests that it is either more transmissible or better at evading our immune systems. At this time, there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variants.
    • There is no indication of increased severity from JN.1 at this time.
    • Updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to increase protection against JN.1, as they do for other variants.
    • As noted in previous updates, COVID-19 tests and treatments are expected to be effective against JN.1.
    • The rapid growth of JN.1 compared with other variants raises the question of whether this variant might drive an incremental increase in infections.
    • COVID-19 activity is currently increasing in the United States. We expected this increase because COVID-19 has had a pattern of increasing and peaking in late summer, and then again peaking around the new year.
      • Right now, we do not know to what extent JN.1 may be contributing to these increases or possible increases through the rest of December like those seen in previous years. CDC will closely monitor COVID-19 activity and the spread of JN.1.
  • Symptoms: It is not currently known whether JN.1 infection produces different symptoms from other variants.
    • In general, symptoms of COVID-19 tend to be similar across variants.
    • The types of symptoms and how severe they are usually depend more on a person’s immunity and overall health rather than which variant causes the infection.
  • What’s next:
    • COVID-19 activity is likely to increase over the next month. An updated COVID-19 vaccine can help keep you protected against JN.1 and other variants. It’s a great time to get that vaccine if you haven’t received one this fall.
    • Regardless of what variants happen, CDC will continue to track them, working closely with partners around the world to understand how they are spreading and how they respond to vaccines and treatments.

COVID Questions and Concerns About the Vaccine?

Coping With Stress/Mental Health and Crisis

Please visit Nassau County Department of Health and Human Services for up to date information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov or download Issue 14 of the NCDHS Newsletter .

American Lung Association

COVID Vaccine Tracker

Better For It Vaccine Toolkit.   The Lung Association partnered with The Center for Black Health and Equity and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health to develop materials that will help to reduce the morbidity and mortality of disease by offering trusted resources on the benefits and importance of immunizations, particularly in communities disproportionately affected COVID-19.

The toolkit is an opportunity for individuals and communities to:

  • Fact check and supplement their own research on vaccines, especially the COVID-19 vaccine;
  • Start a dialogue with friends, their physician, pastor and family members;
  • Share accurate information on social media;
  • Learn and understand the contributions of African American scientists and public health advocates who are helping to bring this pandemic to an end.

American Medical Association 

COVID-19 Resource Center for Physicians

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Perspectives on the Global Response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Resources     

CDC Vaccinations  & Immunizations Webpage for Youth and Adults

CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Clinical & Professional Resources

COVID-19 Questions and Answers: For People Who Use Drugs or Have Substance Use Disorder

Having a substance use disorder can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. People who use drugs may also have underlying medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and they may have concerns and questions related to their risk.

CDC COVID Data Tracker

The CDC recommends use of COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the impact of COVID-19 on communities and to take action. CDC also provides Transmission Levels (also known as Community Transmission) to describe the amount of COVID-19 spread within each county. Healthcare facilities use Transmission Levels to determine infection control interventions.

CDC Update on SARS-CoV-2 Variants and the Epidemiology of COVID-19

Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know

The CDC is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of Omicron.

Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.

Supporting Families During COVID-19

Family and Children’s Association

Immigrant and Refugee COVID Support Services

Harvard Health Coronavirus Resource Center

Questions, Answers and Definitions 

Headspace-A New York State of Mind

New York has been hit hard by the current global crisis. In partnership with Governor Cuomo, Headspace wants to be here for you — to help you find some time and space as you weather this storm. From Buffalo to Long Island, Albany to the Lower East Side, this special NY collection of meditation, sleep, and movement exercises are here to support you through stressful and challenging times. Helping you and your fellow New Yorkers stay strong and be kind to yourselves, with a New York state of mind.

Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center

Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center

Mayo Clinic

COVID-19: Long-Term Effects

Some people continue to experience health problems long after having COVID-19. Understand the possible symptoms and risk factors for post-COVID-19 syndrome.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide

The National Alliance On Mental Illness is a United States-based advocacy group originally founded as a grassroots group by family members of people diagnosed with mental illness. NAMI identifies its mission as being “dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness”

National Institutes of Health

COVID-19 Testing, Vaccines, Grants and Funding and Information for the Public

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Alcohol misuse is already a public health concern in the United States, and alcohol has the potential to further complicate the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple ways.

Resources on Alcohol and COVID-19

National Institute on Drug Abuse

FAQs on COVID-19 and Addiction/Substance Use Disorder

Nassau County Department of Human Services

NYS Office of Mental Health

NY Project Hope-Coping With COVID

New York State Department of Health

The New York State Department of Health has released an updated list of COVID-19 vaccination sites with appointment links. You can access the document here:  oasas.ny.gov/vaccine-administration-scheduling.

Schools and Youth: Returning to school guidance for students who have signs or symptoms after COVID vaccination

New York State Information on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What You Need To Know

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center

Parent Pandemic Support Group (Spanish and English)

Northwell Health Corona Virus Digital Center

As vaccination distribution efforts continue to unfold, Northwell Health, the first in the U.S. to administer the vaccine, created a COVID-19 vaccine resource hub as a guide to stay up-to-date with everything you need to know, including when you might be eligible to receive the vaccine once it becomes available to the general public.

Health Equity Task Force Update:COVID-19 vaccine: Myth vs. Fact

NYU Langone Health

How to Address Family Conflict & Your Child’s Behavioral Problems During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

COVID-19 has impacted communities throughout in the United States, though certain groups are disproportionately suffering from the pandemic. A collection of resources and perspectives on COVID-19 and health equity has been developed.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Guidance and resources to assist individuals, providers, communities, and states dealing with the COVID-19 emergency.

STRYDD Center (Supporting Trauma Recovery for Youth with Developmental Disabilities) Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Northwell Health

The resources below are specific to the COVID-19 pandemic to help parents support their child with special needs and were developed in April, 2020. Some resources address all children’s need and some were developed specifically for children with I/DD and/or Autism. 

Telehealth Services for Mental Health, Addiction Recovery, Child and Adolescent needs

Zucker Hillside Hospital and Northwell Health

U.S. Department of Education

COVID-19 Resources for Schools, Students, and Families

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: National Center for PTSD

COVID-19 Resources for Managing Stress

World Health Organization 

WHO has developed multiple images and infographics related to COVID-19, mental health, and substance abuse in over a dozen languages, including a series of alcohol and COVID-19 images that might be of use as they reflect many of the conversations about alcohol use during this time with some positive messaging on topics such as role modeling, anxiety, and resilience. 

COVID -19 Topics

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization: Quick Tips to Support Your Children in Learning at Home

New York State Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State (ASAP)

ASAP’s Prevention Committee has compiled a website of virtual meditation, mindfulness, exercise and mental health resources. 

Self Care

The Mindfulness Center at Brown University is offering free daily zoom sessions on Mindfulness practices in both English and Spanish.

Gifts of Gab is a volunteer call-based companion coordination that connects social work students and those in need of social interaction to combat cabin fever and the negative effects loneliness can have on long term health.

News 

BBC News: Coronavirus: Spanish Regions Ban Smoking Over COVID-19 Risk