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The Latest COVID-19 News, Delivered to You!
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Welcome to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council’s (NHCHC) COVID-19 Flash Blast, a brief synopsis of key issues specific to the HCH community, policy developments, resources, and reading lists on the topic of COVID-19. You are receiving this email because you subscribe to NHCHC communications; previous issues are archived here.
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Ongoing COVID-19 Publications
Since the first publication in January 2021, the purpose of the Council COVID-19 Flash Blast has been to lift up the voices and experiences of the HCH community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve shared in the struggles and frustrations and have been inspired by innovations, advocacy, and commitment to the people served.
It is important to acknowledge that the pandemic is not over, and we know that many communities continue to struggle with rising case counts and strain on health care systems. We also know that COVID-19 has slowly shifted from being a central focus of care to being yet another consideration in the overall provision of services. Because of this shift, we are providing this final stand-alone Flash Blast and will include any emerging issues and policy developments related to COVID-19 in our monthly action alert, The Mobilizer. Sign up here.
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CURRENT/EMERGING ISSUES & TRENDS
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As COVID enters a new phase -- with many communities working to define a “new normal” for how homeless services will be provided and how to respond to surges in COVID cases -- we are reminded daily that the pandemic is not over. Communities continue to face challenges with meeting isolation and quarantine needs when cases present in people experiencing homelessness, and shelter continues to be an inadequate alternative to permanent housing. Federal organizations are moving away from issuing new COVID-specific guidance and there are fewer “new” issues; the focus has shifted toward how to take the lessons learned and apply them moving forward.
Some of the priorities communities are focusing on are:
- Integrating isolation and quarantine into traditional homeless services as designated locations have closed. Some communities have converted these facilities into permanent supportive housing and/or recuperative care.
- Impending expiration of COVID-19 therapeutic medications because of the difficulty identifying clients who are eligible for the medication and the low uptake rate among patients.
- Addressing the social isolation of those newly placed in individual units has required additional supportive services delivered on-site and an intentional effort to create opportunities for community.
- Rethinking shelter design to better meet client needs as well as improve ventilation and physical layout.
- Ongoing need for support with data/information exchange to enhance collaboration across systems: HMIS, public health, primary care, and hospitals, etc.
- Remembering to acknowledge the success and the good work being done every day can help with morale and remind everyone why they do this work.
- Gathering and responding to data on racial equity to continue to tell the story about disparity--until there is no disparity.
- Advocating for change to prevent going back to “normal.” Work toward the creation of more housing so that people don’t continue to fall into homelessness.
If your communities have developed policies, procedures, or playbooks on topics such as sheltering in place, responding to community surges in COVID-19, etc., that you are able to share, please send them to kleague@nhchc.org.
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Below are the most recent developments:
- Vaccines for children 6 months to 5 years old: The long-awaited COVID vaccines for children ages 6 months to 5 years old are now available. Both the two-dose Moderna vaccine and three-dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines were authorized and endorsed for emergency use authorization. The CDC has updated its COVID vaccine recommendation page to reflect these new authorizations.
- Moderna authorized for children ages 6-17: The CDC endorsed the recommendation that the Moderna vaccine be used as an option for children ages 6 through 17. This now means that both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for all individuals ages 6 months and older.
- Booster shots for ages 5-11: The FDA authorized and the CDC recommends a third booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 5-11 at least five months after their last dose.
- FDA sets limits on J&J COVID vaccine: The FDA announced limited access to the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine due to the risk of a blood clotting disorder. Only individuals who are 18 years or older and cannot take one of the other available vaccines for medical reasons or who do not agree to take an mRNA vaccine may receive the J&J vaccine.
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Federal guidance, local tools, and new research are being published every day. Below are the newest items we've selected that will be helpful to the HCH community.
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Publications from the HCH community:
(Have something you’ve published related to COVID-19? Let us know!)
Other Media:
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Katie League, LCSW-C
COVID-19 Project Manager
National Health Care for the Homeless Council
kleague@nhchc.org
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National Health Care for the Homeless Council
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National Institute for Medical Respite Care
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| Grounded in human rights and social justice, the National Health Care for the Homeless Council's mission is to build an equitable, high-quality health care system through training, research, and advocacy in the movement to end homelessness.
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