The Weather:
Y’all! Since the end of the Public Health Emergency and the corresponding lack of data tracking and reporting by the CDC, We are IN THE DARK about how much COVID transmission is happening around us. In some areas, wastewater data can be used to give a sense of community transmission, but it is not available everywhere, more specifically in rural or remote communities where they rely on septic tanks. Here are a few wastewater tracking sites we’ve been keeping an eye on:
Biobot partners with the CDC through the National Wastewater Surveillance System, at least until July. These are the data we usually use for Weather Reports. All regional levels appear to be steadily decreasing.
But, other more local wastewater monitoring systems show reason for concern. For example, all New York City sites have high levels of SARS-CoV2 in their wastewater.
The Wastewater SCAN Dashboard tracks SARS-CoV2 (the virus that causes COVID) as well as other common viruses including influenza, RSV, and norovirus. You may find a local wastewater site to track.
The Iowa COVID-19 Tracker presents wastewater and other data for the US. Check out their site and see if it has what you’re looking for.
Forecast:
It’s Pride Month, People! As we gather to celebrate each other, to remember historic uprisings, and to vision and work towards a more just future for all of us, let us do so safely and inclusively. Remember as you hit the streets to stay hydrated, to use sunscreen, and to mask up!
Having a summer barbeque or other social gathering? Use our Safer In-person Gathering Guide for advice about how to stop COVID spread.
Heading to Stop Cop City protests in Atlanta or other cities holding solidarity events? Check out and share our COVID safety for protests flier:
Public Health Critique: The New CDC Director, Mandy Cohen, starts at the end of June. She and the team she brings with her should read and learn from our external review, with perspectives from nearly 500 public health experts and community leaders from across the nation.
Long COVID:
We mentioned the RECOVER Long COVID study in last week’s report. This week, we encourage everyone to read a brilliant and important patient perspective of the study in this Twitter thread by Lisa McCorkell.
Take Action:
We reiterate our calls to action on mitigating COVID risks in healthcare settings. Sign on to National Nurses United’s letter to urge the CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) to recognize airborne COVID transmission and institute appropriate airborne control measures, including respiratory protection with N95 respirators and improved ventilation.
Join us in supporting masking in healthcare and reporting requirements for healthcare-acquired COVID infections by submitting a public comment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the branch of the Department of Health and Human Services that administers Medicare, oversees Medicaid, and establishes many standards within healthcare and billions of dollars in healthcare payments. The deadline to submit your public comment is Friday, June 9.
After you’ve submitted your comment to CMS, also send a letter to your senators encouraging them to support universal masking in healthcare and reporting of healthcare-acquired COVID infections.
Thank you for all that you do to protect yourself and your community. 😷
Notes: 1) The numbers in this report were current as of 6/1/2023. 2) Changes in testing access as well as data reporting have led many federal data sources to become less reliable. Fewer federal data sources may be included in current and upcoming Weather Reports, and we will do our best to provide context regarding the representativeness of limited data. 3) Check out the links throughout & see our website for more! https://bej.gbh.mybluehost.me