FRIDAY, July 30, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Teens have a far greater risk of heart inflammation from COVID-19 than from the vaccines that protect against it, new research shows.

“Comparative risk can complicate decisions for parents in such highly charged health debates,” said lead author Mendel Singer, vice chair for education at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.

“But our study shows that for parents concerned for their teens about myocarditis/pericarditis [heart inflammation], the safer choice is vaccination,” he said in a university news release.

Singer and his colleagues compared health records of 7,300 girls and 6,800 boys (ages: 12-17) nationwide who were diagnosed with COVID in the United States to the same number in that age group who had adverse events after receiving mRNA COVID vaccines.

The risk of heart inflammation (myocarditis/pericarditis) among teen girls with COVID was 21 times higher than their combined risk after first and second doses of an mRNA vaccine.

Among teen boys, the risk of heart inflammation was nearly six times higher from COVID than from vaccination, according to findings published July 27 in the preprint server medRxiv. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed.

“Even with our calculations made to qualify possible gaps in the data from this large dataset, our findings still point to a higher risk of myocarditis/pericarditis among teens who get COVID-19,” said study co-author Dr. David Kaelber, a professor of internal medicine and pediatrics. He pointed out he’s also a concerned father.

“Based on our findings, on my daughter’s 12th birthday, we went to get her a COVID-19 vaccination to be sure she is protected, and to protect other members of our family,” Kaelber said. “With the highly contagious Delta variant going around, and the new school year around the corner, this is a good time for parents to be reassured that vaccination is safer for their kids than getting COVID-19.”

Co-author Dr. Ira Taub, a pediatric cardiologist at Akron Children’s Hospital Center in Ohio, said concerned parents often turn to him for vaccine guidance. He responded with a warning.

“There are other consequences from getting COVID-19, including the risk that teens can carry the disease to vulnerable family members,” Taub noted. “I emphasize as well that vaccination is safer than getting COVID-19.”

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens.

SOURCE: Case Western Reserve University, news release, July 27, 2021

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Originally Appeared Here

We don’t have to look further than the weather app on our phones to understand why climate change poses such a risk to health. Air quality alerts were issued last week across the country, from California to New York due to smoke from wildfires raging in Canada and the West. The intensity of these wildfires is fueled by heat and drought conditions brought on by climate change. While these air pollution alerts are merely a warning for some, for others, including those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, these alerts can signal a life-threatening situation. 

While Americans try to keep their families safe from wildfires, heatwaves and droughts across the country, Congress is currently debating spending billions of taxpayer dollars on new infrastructure investments. These investments could either fund a rapid transition of our power system to clean, renewable energy or further entrench highly polluting fossil fuels. Considering these options, it is easy to appreciate how these decisions will impact our health now and in the future.  

One of the most important proposals being considered is a clean electricity payment program that would provide federal investments to our nation’s electric utilities to incentivize robust growth in their use of clean energy like wind, solar and battery storage. This “clean electricity standard” would result in a power system that runs on 80 percent clean energy by 2030, and it would meaningfully improve air quality, while significantly reducing planet-warming emissions that are fueling drought and wildfires. Multiple studies, one of which one of our organizations helped lead, have also found a rapid transition to clean power can be achieved without raising customer bills, and would create hundreds of thousands of jobs in every part of the country, a major boost for the economy.

Burning fossil fuels like oil and gas not only emits heat-trapping pollution but also produces air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter. Children with asthma are especially vulnerable because breathing in this polluted air increases their risk of having a severe asthma attack. Data also shows these particles are harmful during pregnancy and can increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Particulate pollution also increases the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults and can travel to the brain and impact cognitive function.

A new joint study from Harvard and Syracuse University analyzed the proposed clean electricity standard of 80 percent clean energy by 2030 and found the reductions in air pollution from this policy would save 50,000 lives between now and the end of this decade. That’s about the number of people who could fit into Yankee Stadium. In addition, it would prevent 12 million asthma attacks over the next 30 years, as well as save $1.13 trillion in health costs.

Cutting pollution is also fundamental to achieving racial justice. For decades, polluting power plants and freeways have intentionally been built near Black communities and other communities of color. Nationwide, people of color are exposed to higher pollution levels than white Americans, and Black children are five times more likely to be admitted to the hospital for an asthma attack. These are also the same communities that suffer disproportionately from a warming climate. A just-released study found that even in the same city, the temperature can be as much as 7 degrees higher in Black neighborhoods compared to white neighborhoods. 

A rapid move to clean and renewable energy would clean our air and help revitalize the health of communities that suffer disproportionately from harmful air pollution. Provisions in the proposed budget would fund home weatherization improvements that will not only cut harmful emissions and save families money on their energy bills but more importantly, will help keep people cool or warm when extreme weather hits. As shown by the “big freeze” in Texas earlier this year, when low-income people suffered hypothermia in poorly insulated homes, these efficiency improvements could save lives. In addition, the budget’s proposal of a Civilian Climate Corps for young people would help address the legacy of pollution and ensure a new generation has the skills to build our clean future.

The smoke of wildfires that has reached Washington, D.C., should be a wake-up call for our nation’s lawmakers. Congressional action to fund the strong clean energy programs, as laid out in the Senate Democrats’ budget proposal, would cut the pollution that makes us sick and is essential for solving the climate crisis. Along the way, we will have improved our children’s health, created good-paying jobs in every state, and lowered electricity bills for energy-burdened families. Surely this is a future worth voting for. 

Dr. Sarah Spengeman is the associate communications director at Energy Innovation, a board member at Interfaith Power and Light, and the host of a podcast sharing stories of mothers fighting for their children’s right to inherit a livable planet.

Dr. Neelu Tummala is an ENT surgeon and clinical assistant professor of surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and is on the Boards of the Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions.

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Originally Appeared Here

That day is almost here … back to school! While it always seemed appropriate to act sad at the end of summer, parents secretly celebrated a bit of peace and quiet, with kids occupied with school, sports and other childhood activities.

Children got excited to buy new backpacks, clothes, sports equipment, and plans for all the social activities that come with a new school year. Parents made plans for peaceful morning coffee, once the kids were out the door, and something called “mindfulness” would kick in, even if that simply meant regaining your sanity.

However, this year is different. We are at the end of one of the most unusual years of our lifetime, and information released this week indicates that it may not be over yet.

Children are reacting. The unpredictable nature of events goes contrary to the normal expectancy of their prior daily lives. And, just as work is central to our life, school is critical to theirs. It is where they spend most of their waking hours.

How do we establish normalcy during abnormal times? How do we recognize if our child is stressed or simply excited about the changes? What can we do to smooth the transition?

First, recognize that a year of remote learning has taken an emotional, menta, and developmental toll. Many children have fallen behind in their studies, missed out on big milestones, and suffered from a lack of peer interaction, which develops crucial social skills. This is bound to create anxiety, even in those who never before experienced concern.

Younger children may get nervous about leaving their parents, and older children may worry about academics or how they’ll fit in with their peers, beyond the usual summertime separation.

Masking and social distancing present additional challenges, with increased caution over children’s health at school, prompting unprecedented concerns. In addition, there is worry about peer exposure to COVID-19, which can result in sudden and random quarantines and school closures. It is exacerbated by sports and other school interactions increasing exposure and potentially removing a student from a hard-earned place in a sports or academic event.

Ultimately, these unpredictable changes can cause resentment, fear, anger and rejection. All of this impacts their success at school. The return of COVID-19 restrictions may add even more to those stresses, as children worry about themselves or their loved ones becoming ill and possibly dying. These are not small things, particularly to a young mind.

What are some symptoms that may possibly indicate an unusual amount of anxiety in your child?

According to multiple childhood experts, look for the following:

• Increased defiance, irritability, or aggressiveness
• Disturbances in sleep patterns
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of concentration
• Less energy
• Physical symptoms like nausea, muscle tension, headaches, or dizziness
• Refusal to go to school
• Unprovoked sadness or crying
• Temper tantrums
• Isolation
• Low motivation
• Resistance to going to school
• Excessive concerns about safety

In addition, some symptoms are age related:

Preschoolers: Thumb sucking, bed wetting, clinging to parents, unusual fear of the dark, regression in behavior, and withdrawal from family

Elementary school children: Clinginess, nightmares, school avoidance, and withdrawal from activities and friends

Adolescents: Agitation, increased conflicts, physical complaints, delinquent behavior, substance abuse

What can be done?

Well, if it appears to be critical, there are many mental health options available in Eagle County. A good source is Eagle Valley Behavioral Health.

There are also a few tips that may help.

While children are concerned about falling behind or having missed meaningful events, remind them that it is the same for most of their friends; they are not alone in feeling sad, scared or out of the loop. They are also not alone in possibly needing additional academic and mental health support.

Children will mirror their parents’ anxiety. Try to remain calm. Explain the precautions that they and the schools are taking to keep them safe. Help them to understand why certain changes are being made.

You may be able to contact the teacher and classmates to create some fun Zoom activities, so that the students can begin to feel comfortable with one another.

In talking with your kids, remember that it is easier to reach your children while doing something else that is enjoyable or relaxing (taking a walk, playing a game, cooking a meal together, etc. “parallel play”). It reduces the pressure of direct confrontation about an issue to which they may not be able to fully respond, as they may still be processing their feelings.

Perhaps you can arrange a mock “back-to-school” party (Zoom or in-person) with kids taking turns being the teacher, and a contest of who can create the silliest assignments to give their “students,” the more outrageous, the better. It will provide a fun base for them as they gather at school — replacing anxiety with a smile on their face, as they giggle in recalling their mock class time.

Have a safe and happy return to school. And we will be right alongside you, assisting the community in our journey back-to-normal.

James van Beek is the Eagle County sheriff. You can reach him at james.vanbeek@eaglecounty.us.

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Originally Appeared Here

Canada should anticipate a resurgence of a childhood respiratory virus as COVID-19 physical distancing measures are relaxed, authors warn in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have risen sharply in Australia and, more recently, the United States as COVID-19 case counts have waned and pandemic public health measures have been relaxed. Respiratory syncytial virus affects the lower respiratory tract and can cause serious illness and death. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 2.7 million children worldwide were infected with RSV each year, and it was the fourth most common cause of death in young children.

“The off-season resurgence in seasonal respiratory viruses now potentially poses a threat to vulnerable infants,” writes Dr. Pascal Lavoie, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, with coauthors.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada, like other countries, has seen very few cases of RSV, with only 239 positive cases between August 29, 2020, and May 8, 2021, compared with 18,860 positive tests in a similar period the previous year (between August 25, 2019, and May 2, 2020). The virus seemed to disappear over the last year.

However, an increased number of cases of RSV in Canada this summer, as in other jurisdictions, could stretch health care resources in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs). Most pregnant women and very young infants did not develop immunity in the previous season, so children may develop more severe illness this year.

In anticipation of a potential resurgence of RSV, the authors suggest:

• Continued emphasis on handwashing and basic hygiene measures and other protective measures such as breastfeeding when possible
• Continued testing to confirm RSV when required
• Planning by pediatric ICUs to manage increases in severe RSV cases
• Administering preventive treatment to highest-risk infants in the summer if cases increase to the level of the normal fall season.

Source:

Canadian Medical Association Journal

Journal reference:

Lavoie, P.M., et al. (2021) Potential resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus in Canada. CMAJ. doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.210919.

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Originally Appeared Here

Amid rising COVID-19 cases largely due to the delta variant, K-12 schools should instate universal masking measures to safeguard younger kids who are not yet eligible for vaccination, an Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) expert said Tuesday.

The advice, given by Dr. Tina Tan, member of the IDSA board of directors and professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, goes a step further than guidance given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which currently recommends masks for unvaccinated individuals. 

The health agency does note that “based on the needs of the community, school administrators may opt to make mask use universally required (i.e., regardless of vaccination status) in the school.” It is expected to issue an update Tuesday that some vaccinated people should return to wearing masks indoors. 

WHERE TO FIND A COVID-19 VACCINE CLOSEST TO YOU

However, several states have already moved to ban mask mandates in schools, prompting families with immunocompromised members to worry about safely returning to in-person learning this fall. 

“I think that in the K-12 space, I do think mask mandates or universal masking in school settings should be enforced,” Tan said during a briefing Tuesday, adding that immunocompromised students attending schools without mandates should still choose to wear one. 

Tan cited data indicating that only 30% of kids aged 12-17 have received a COVID-19 vaccine, leaving a high number of students vulnerable to potential infection, especially as the delta variant surges in areas with low vaccination rates. She noted that rates of COVID-19 infection among kids, which currently account for about 14.2% of all cases in the U.S., have risen over the last month due to the variant. 

CALIFORNIA TO MANDATE COVID-19 VACCINE OR WEEKLY TESTING FOR ALL STATE WORKERS

“In order to protect these children who are too young to be vaccinated, efforts should be made to vaccinate all eligible people around these children,” Tan stated, later noting that many teachers and staff in schools have not yet received a vaccine, prompting the need for more protective measures to safely return to in-person learning. 

Among those protective measures, she said, is universal masking regardless of vaccination status, as well as social distancing, good ventilation and cohorting. 

“In the K-12 space, because the number of individuals vaccinated is a minority, I really do think that in order to protect students who are going to be attending in-person school you really need to have mask mandates in place,” she said. 

When asked about the role of routine testing for K-12 institutions, she said that while funds were set aside to expand capabilities, it remains “very, very difficult” for several reasons, including that the money was used to improve other aspects of schools.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

And as far as a return to extracurricular activities, Tan said it may be necessary to “go back to what we were doing prior to the availability of vaccination,” which includes weighing risk of infection during the activity. 

Dr. Preeti Malani, an IDSA fellow and the chief health officer at University of Michigan, was also in the briefing and said that rather than focus on what can and can’t be done, schools should focus on how to safely resume extracurricular activities so that it’s “not zero risk, but acceptable risk.” 

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Originally Appeared Here

Newswise — HACKENSACK, NJ – Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center has been recertified by the Joint Commission, a national accreditation organization, in Advanced Diabetes Management. This Disease Specific Certification demonstrates that Hackensack University Medical Center meets or exceeds national standards for diabetes care.

At Hackensack University Medical Center, physician consultation from a member of the endocrine/diabetes section is available for adult and pediatric patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

A dedicated team of diabetes and endocrinology experts assists healthcare providers and other hospital staff in coordinating care for patients with diabetes. To further enhance care for patients with diabetes, Hackensack University Medical Center organizes various education and performance improvement initiatives focused on hospital systems and processes. 

“The Joint Commission recertification signifies Hackensack University Medical Center’s commitment to clinical excellence and quality diabetes care,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center. “Our recertification shows that our team uses a consistent, evidence-based approach to deliver high-quality treatment.”

Hackensack University Medical Center has earned 28 Joint Commission Disease Specific Certifications, the most of any hospital in the nation. 

Additionally, Hackensack University Medical Center’s MOLLY Diabetes Education/Management Center also received its 8th Education Recognition Certification from the American Diabetes Association for excellence in diabetes self-management education and support. The MOLLY Center provides classes, support groups and individual consultations to help adult and pediatric patients manage their diabetes.

“From inpatient to outpatient diabetes care, our programs provide patients with the treatment, education and resources they need to manage their condition,” said Colette Knight, M.D., chair of the Diabetes Institutes at Hackensack University Medical Center. “Our recertification helps patients and their loved ones feel confident that they will receive outstanding diabetes care in any Hackensack University Medical Center care setting.”

“Our highly trained, skilled team members have been instrumental in achieving this recertification,” said Dionne Dixon-Jeffrey, PhD, administrative director of the Diabetes Program at the MOLLY Center. “In addition to offering a full range of services for patients with diabetes, our physicians, registered dietitians, nurses, diabetes educators, and other team members truly care about our patients and are committed to providing them with compassionate care that exceeds national standards and their expectations for quality.”

 

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, a 771-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of the largest, most comprehensive, and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research, and life-enhancing care, which is comprised of 35,000 team members and more than 7,000 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center is ranked #2 in New Jersey and #59 in the country in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019-20 Best Hospital rankings and is ranked high-performing in the U.S. in colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, COPD, heart failure, heart bypass surgery, aortic valve surgery, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, knee replacement and hip replacement. Out of 4,500 hospitals evaluated, Hackensack is one of only 57 that received a top rating in all nine procedures and conditions. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2018. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 26 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its sixth consecutive designation in 2019. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: John Theurer Cancer Center, a consortium member of the NCI-designated Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to THE NORTHERN TRUST PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive, and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research, and life-enhancing care. 

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 17 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers – Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two children’s hospitals – Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals – Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin; a behavioral health hospital – Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead; and two rehabilitation hospitals – JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Shore Rehabilitation Institute in Brick. 

Additionally, the network has more than 500 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has more than 36,000 team members, and 7,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network’s notable distinctions include having four of its hospitals are among the top hospitals in New Jersey for 2020-21, according to U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, the health system has more top-ranked hospitals than any system in New Jersey. Children’s Health is again ranked a top provider of pediatric health care in the United States and earned top 50 rankings in the annual U.S. News’ 2020-21 Best Children’s Hospitals report.   Other honors include consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and being named to Becker’s Healthcare’s “150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare/2019” list. 

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its first class of students in 2018 to its On3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. The Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), housed in a fully renovated state-of-the-art facility, seeks to translate current innovations in science to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases and other life-threatening and disabling conditions.

Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to find more cures for cancer faster while ensuring that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it. 

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies. 

To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.

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Originally Appeared Here

New guidance from the Ohio Department of Health will be for Ohio school districts.

Ohio could be following new COVID-19 orders as soon as tomorrow, according to comments made by Governor Mike DeWine.

The orders would be a direct result of rising cases as the highly contagious delta variant continues to threaten those who aren’t vaccinated.

“We want kids in the classroom,” Summit County’s Public Health Commissioner, Donna Skoda, said.

The countdown to the classroom is ticking quickly, and so is the rate at which the fourth wave of COVID-19 is spreading.

“Delta [variant] is very, very contagious and it is spreading far more than the other COVID did, any of the other variants,” Skoda said.

Catching this variant most are those who aren’t vaccinated, including children, health professional said

The FDA has still not approved a vaccine for kids under the age of twelve.

With a mix of vaccination statuses expected to hit the classroom soon the cause for concern is growing.

In mid-May, the CDC announced that if you were fully vaccinated you could take a mask off and still be protected, but as the delta variant continues to spread, you may be required to put a mask back on despite your vaccination status.

“We’re going to have guidance out probably Monday from the department of health,” Gov. DeWine told our sister station, WBNS.

Concern of the fast spreading variant is not just in Ohio. Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that the United State is “headed in the wrong direction.”

“50 percent of the country is not fully vaccinated, that’s a problem, particularly when you have a variant like delta,” Fauci said.

Skoda told 3News Sunday in order to keep kids in the classroom, taking all precautions against the contagious virus is what needs to happen.

“I do believe that is the safest. It’s going to be important that we follow those public health measures,” Skoda said. “We all have to understand that it’s a public health measure that isn’t political.”

For a list of the current COVID-19 mask and health policies school districts in Northeast Ohio are following, click here.

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Originally Appeared Here

Steve Marcus

A sign advertises electric vehicle charging stations at the Eagle’s Landing Travel Plaza in Mesquite, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. With the new charging stations, Interstate 15 though Nevada became the Intermountain’s West’s first electric vehicle interstate corridor.

By Cinthia Zermeño Moore

Sunday, July 25, 2021 | 2 a.m.

As the mother of a 4-year-old son with respiratory issues, I can speak to life in a traffic-congested area where pollution from cars and trucks aggravates my son’s breathing on a nearly daily basis.

It’s a constant battle for my family, yet I know I am not alone in this struggle. Across the country, families like mine suffer the impacts of air pollution from the transportation sector — our nation’s largest source of carbon pollution and the largest contributor to climate change — first and worst.

Heat waves like the one experienced this month in Las Vegas — which matched the highest temperature ever observed in our city — can be downright deadly for vulnerable kids with asthma and other respiratory issues.

These extreme temperatures are happening more often and are lasting longer than anything I experienced growing up here in Las Vegas. As a child, one of my most memorable homework assignments for science class was to fry an egg on the sidewalk outside my house. Now, doctors warn us that our children could get burns if in prolonged contact with the very same pavement during this record-breaking heat wave. With average temperatures soaring faster in Nevada than any other state in the country, the climate crisis is hitting home, harming our health and future more rapidly than I could ever have imagined when I was a kid frying an egg on the sidewalk.

Several years ago, out of concern for my community and my family, I began to speak out against the dangers of air pollution and climate change. This year, I was proud to represent Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres before the Nevada Assembly in support of legislation to address smog from cars and trucks, which was recently signed into law by Gov. Steve Sisolak. I also spoke at a virtual public hearing held by President Joe Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency on the restoration of state authority to address dirty vehicle pollution, which was illegally rolled back by the previous administration.

Everyone has a right to breathe clean air, and fighting air pollution is especially important for vulnerable groups like older Nevadans and children like my son. In fact, Latino children are 60% more at risk of having asthma attacks exacerbated by air pollution, and 40% more likely to die from an asthma attack. For the over 40,000 children who have asthma in Clark County, their very future depends on our leaders taking action to clean up our air.

A recent report by the American Lung Association found that the Las Vegas metro area ranked 12th in the nation for ozone pollution, and Clark County ranked 17th for most polluted places for both ozone and particle pollution. Improving our air quality is an environmental justice issue for communities and families like mine, and we need to invest in clean energy development to mitigate the disproportionate impacts that pollution has had on our communities.

By supporting policies that will bolster Nevada and the United States’ transition to a clean transportation future, we can do just that. As initially outlined, the president’s proposed infrastructure package, the American Jobs Plan, would install 500,000 charging stations across the country and invest $174 billion into expanding our clean vehicle economy. Just as important, the full plan calls for at least 40% of the benefits of the proposed investments to be directed toward marginalized communities.

Not only is Biden’s plan smart, it’s also popular among the public. In Southern Nevada, residents of the 3rd and 4th congressional districts — the state’s top battleground districts — strongly favor Biden’s plan and its provisions designed to address climate change. A recent poll found that 65% of respondents in each district are more likely to support the proposal after hearing the plan would expand the use of clean energy, such as wind and solar power, to tackle the climate crisis and create jobs. Additionally, 64% of voters in the 3rd district and 61% of voters in the 4th district support investing in a clean vehicle economy.

My son and the more than 40,000 kids in Las Vegas with asthma need bold climate action as quickly as possible. Now is the time for our nation to go big on an infrastructure package that will invest in our children’s future. The president’s plan meets the moment by investing in clean energy, clean infrastructure and clean transportation. Southern Nevada’s congressional delegation has always fought side by side with us for a better future, and we need them to hold firm and support a bold plan to truly help us build back better. Reps. Dina Titus, Susie Lee, and Steven Horsford, and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen: Your communities are counting on you.

Cinthia Zermeño Moore is an EcoMadres national lead and Nevada field organizer for the Moms Clean Air Force, a national organization of more than 1.5 million parents united against air pollution to protect our children’s health. She lives in east Las Vegas with her family.

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Originally Appeared Here

July 23, 2021

On Monday, July 19, the La Verne City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco within the City. While California Senate Bill 793, which banned the sale of flavored tobacco, was technically passed in 2020 it was placed on hold so it could be brought before voters in the November 2022 statewide ballot. Rather than wait, the La Verne Youth and Family Action Committee requested that the City ban the sale of flavored tobacco through a local ordinance. The La Verne Youth and Family Action Committee is composed of citizens, law enforcement personnel, school district employees and local non-profit groups.
Flavored tobacco has been shown to increase the likelihood that someone, especially children, will try tobacco products and remain long-term users. In fact, 81% of minors and 86% of young adults who have used a tobacco product report that their first tobacco product was flavored. The child-friendly flavors are marketed with bright colors and lower prices to entice children to purchase and use these harmful flavored tobacco products. Flavored tobacco masks the strong taste of tobacco, making smoking seem less harmful. In just two years, from 2017 to 2019, e-cigarette use has doubled among high school students.
“Since the emergence of flavored tobacco products, vapes and e-cigarettes, smoking has become an epidemic among young people throughout the country,” said La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn. “The coronavirus pandemic has only further revealed the negative impact of using such products, especially at a young age, when their bodies should be more able to fight off infections, but smoking youths were left more vulnerable to COVID-19. We are proud to pass this ordinance to protect our community’s children.”
According to numerous studies, including one published by the Tobacco Induced Diseases Medical Journal, people who smoke were 1.4 times more likely to have severe COVID-19 symptoms and 2.4 times more likely to be admitted to an Intensive Care Unit compared to those who did not smoke. The damage done to lungs by smoking and vaping actually leaves individuals vulnerable to a variety of respiratory infections, from COVID-19 to bronchitis and pneumonia.
The new La Verne ordinance also formally expands the definition of “smoking” to include electronic smoking devices and vaping devices. However, the new ordinance exempts the sale of flavored shisha tobacco, which is used in hookah pipes. Similarly, menthol cigarettes are not included in the list of banned tobacco products due to the outstanding legal challenges on the subject.
“The role of the La Verne Police Department is to protect the community through the enforcement of law; however, an extremely important part of these efforts is also connecting with and educating residents about these laws,” said Lieutenant Sam Gonzalez. “In fact, the La Verne Police Department received a $211,000 two-year grant for tobacco-related education, programming and enforcement, allowing us to increase public awareness of both the new law and dangers associated with flavored tobacco to help keep our residents safe and healthy.”
As of July 1, 2021, 215 municipalities have enacted laws restricting the sale of flavored tobacco. In cities with similar laws, the ban on flavored cigarettes correlated with a 17% reduction in the likelihood of middle and high school students becoming smokers and a 58% decrease in cigarettes smoked by young people. Overall, there was a 6% reduction in the probability of adolescents smoking any kind of tobacco product.
The second reading of the new tobacco ordinance will take place at the next La Verne City Council meeting on August 2, 2021. The new ordinance would go into effect in January 2022.
 

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Originally Appeared Here