COVID Safe Maryland

@covidsafemd.bsky.social

259 Followers 11 Following

Marylanders working to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We organize for disability justice from an anti-racist, pro-queer & trans standpoint. #KeepMasksInHealthcare linktr.ee/COVIDSafeMD

Screenshot of the Maryland Department of Health page on universal masking recommendations. The current Maryland weekly respiratory virus-associated hospitalization rate is 10.8, and the previous week's is 19.7. Both are outlined in red. There is a key in the lower left corner that states green indicates less than 5.0 admission per 100,000, yellow indicates 5.0 to 10.0, and red indicates 10.0 and greater.

Due to Increased Hospitalizations, Universal Masking Will Resume at JHM Locations in Maryland

Dear Patient,

Throughout the fall and winter seasons, we have closely monitored respiratory virus updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and departments of health in states where Johns Hopkins Medicine health care facilities are located. Respiratory illnesses--including COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus continue to rise — resulting in increased hospitalization rates, while vaccination rates remain low among the general population.

Considering this information and recent guidance from the Maryland Department of Health, we will resume mandatory masking for patients, visitors and employees in all Johns Hopkins Medicine locations in the state of Maryland, regardless of vaccination status, effective 1/12/2024.

We anticipate this requirement to be in effect on a short-term basis while influenza-like illness rates are high. You can check our website...

“If you get COVID, while you're in the hospital, you're twice as likely to die of it than if you got it somewhere else, or came in with it,” said Roselie Bright, an epidemiologist with COVID Safe Maryland. “That's why we think it's especially important to protect vulnerable people because they are there in the healthcare space.”

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Share your story: The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is calling for community input on the “most important issues affecting the health and wellbeing of [our] communities.” Feedback from this assessment will inform MDH’s programs over the next several years. This is a critical time to share our stories: MDH needs to hear how the absence of COVID-19 protections and resources continues to harm the health of everyone, particularly members of the disabled community.

Take the survey by Jan 4: bit.ly/HealthierMD23 (link in bio)

Screenshot of a pop-up that displays when you go to the CalvertHealth website. It displays a blue surgical mask and reads, "Face masks required. Due to the spike in respiratory illnesses and for the health of our community, masking is now required as of December 29, 2023. Health system-issued masks will be provided upon entry. Thank you in advance for your understanding."

Dark green background with white text. "Looking for a coworking space? Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 26 from 5-6 PM ET to make calls together. Registration link in bio"

Dark green background with white text. "While we're chatting, did you know most hospitals in MD are NOT requiring masks? Even though we're covid levels are high. (1) Even though COVID hospitalizations are up. (2) And even though state department of health guidance says they should be. (3)"

Dark green background with white text. "For whoever needs to hear this: if you are sick, stay home. If you cannot stay home, wear a mask."

Black background with white text reading “Take Action for Masks in Healthcare | Phonebank Today | Friday, Dec. 22 | Noon - 1 PM ET | Join us as we contact our Maryland hospitals in support of universal respirator protections in all healthcare settings. | Registration link in bio”

Looking for a coworking space? Join us on Friday, Dec. 22 from noon - 1:00 pm ET to make calls together. Link to register in bio.

The guidance may only be in effect for a short window of time, and we cannot afford to wait. We have to act now to ensure everyone is protected over the upcoming holidays: Use our Masks in Healthcare Action Toolkit to call and email your local hospitals and care providers and demand they follow the Maryland Department of Health’s guidance.

tinyurl.com/MarylandMasks

Black gradient backgrounds over a photo of a hospital hallway. Graphics contain white text and yellow highlights.

"Important Update | An increase in hospitalizations due to respiratory viruses has triggered MD Dept. of Health guidance for universal mask use in healthcare settings BUT most healthcare systems in the state have not updated their masking policies. | Take Action Now"

White background with navy blue text and navy blue accents. “Masking in Healthcare Phonebank Action | Friday, Dec. 22 | Noon - 1 pm ET | Join COVID Safe Maryland as we contact our local hospitals in support of universal respirator protections in all healthcare settings.”

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”Take Action for Masking in Healthcare | As of Dec. 20, most major hospital systems in Maryland have not updated their masking policies, including:

-Johns Hopkins
-University of Maryland Medical System
-MedStar Health
-Holy Cross
-& more
Wastewater data has consistently shown high levels of COVID in our region, and with the upcoming holidays pushing more people to gather indoors, this is a critical time for COVID protections to be in place in healthcare settings.

We are calling on hospital systems and healthcare providers to take immediate action to stop the spread of COVID.
Here’s how you can join us:
Use our Masks in Healthcare Action Toolkit to call your local hospitals to demand they follow the Maryland Department of Health’s guidance. tinyurl.com/MarylandMasks”

White background with navy text and a navy banner for the title. “Maryland Department of Health Masking in Healthcare Guidance Update | Maryland Department of Health guidance states that broad facility-wide source control (i.e. universal masking) should be “implemented in all patient care areas and patient-facing healthcare settings, including outpatient and long-term care, when the statewide combined weekly respiratory virus-associated hospitalization rate (as calculated by CDC) meets or exceeds 10 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents.” Last week, the hospitalization rate hit 12.9 per 100,000. According to their guidance, broad facility-wide source control “can be discontinued once the combined weekly respiratory virus-associated hospitalization rate has been below 10 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents for two consecutive weeks.”” Screenshot of the Maryland Department of Health’s Current Maryland Weekly Source Control Metric for Healthcare Settings dashboard displays the rate.

Navy blue background with white text and brown highlights. Three small megaphones line the top of the text. “Maryland Department of Health Currently Recommends Masking in Healthcare Settings Dec. 20, 2023”

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Advocate for Resources. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is currently calling for community input on the “most important issues affecting the health and wellbeing of [our] communities.” MDH needs to hear how the absence of COVID-19 protections and resources continues to harm the health of everyone, particularly members of the disabled community. Take the survey: bit.ly/HealthierMD23 (Link in bio)

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Take action to stop the spread of COVID-19. Wear a mask when indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces to protect yourself and others. Inform your loved ones that COVID levels are on the rise and encourage them to take precautions as well.

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In the United States, 4,628 people* died of COVID in November. *That we know of. Source: CDC COVID Data Tracker, 2023.

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Sources | For a full list of sources, visit: tinyurl.com/CSMDLayers

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Vaccination | Should you get infected, vaccines help you avoid getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying during the acute infection. To a lesser degree, vaccines also reduce your chances of developing long COVID. It’s important to always get the newest COVID vaccine because it is designed to target the variants that are currently circulating. | Source numbers: (7), (8), (9)

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Avoiding Crowded Spaces | Crowded spaces have been shown to increase the transmission of the virus that causes COVID. This can happen for several reasons, such as close contact, an increased chance that someone in the space might be contagious, and worse air quality. It’s best to limit time in crowded spaces as much as possible and use other layers of protection when you cannot. | Source numbers: (5), (6)

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Wearing a Well-Fitting, High-Quality Mask | Consistently wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask helps lower the spread of COVID by filtering the virus particles we might inhale from or exhale into the air. The most effective masks are N95, KN95, KF94 or higher. Surgical and cloth masks offer the least protection against COVID. A well-fitting mask should cover your mouth and nose, provide a seal around your face, and feel breathable. | Source numbers: (1), (2)

All designs mimic the 2023 Spotify Wrapped graphics. Text is black on all slides, with “@COVIDSafeMD” written in the bottom right corner.

Red background with elements along the top and bottom: black, blue, neon green, and white wavy lines, a blue, neon green, and white gradient rectangle, a purple mask, and a neon green virus.

Layers of Protection | Using multiple layers of protection is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from the spread of COVID-19. Learn more about the types of protection you can use and why we cannot rely on only one layer to prevent infection.

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COVID Safety Is Community Health. Action Meeting. Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5:30 pm. Coworking | Q&A | Outreach. Our goal: Ensure COVID’s impacts on our community are represented in the Maryland Department of Health’s strategic planning. How you can help: Join us for a coworking session to fill out the State Health Assessment survey and learn how you can help us reach more members of the community before the Jan. 4 deadline. Registration link in bio | @COVIDSafeMD

Black background with a silhouette of a person inhaling smoke. Bold white text reads, "There is no community health without COVID safety"

Black background with white text and yellow highlights. “@COVIDSafeMD” is written in the bottom right corner.

COVID Safety Is Community Health. Action Meeting. Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5:30 pm. Coworking | Q&A | Outreach. Our goal: Ensure COVID’s impacts on our community are represented in the Maryland Department of Health’s strategic planning. How you can help: Join us for a coworking session to fill out the State Health Assessment survey and learn how you can help us reach more members of the community before the Jan. 4 deadline. Registration link in bio.

Black background with white text and yellow highlights. “@COVIDSafeMD” is written in the bottom right corner.

Text reads, "Take Action: The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is calling for community input on the “most important issues affecting the health and wellbeing of [our] communities.” Feedback from this assessment will inform MDH’s programs over the next several years. This is a critical time to share our stories: MDH needs to hear how the absence of COVID-19 protections and resources continue to harm the health of everyone, particularly members of the disabled community.

Take The Survey* bit.ly/HealthierMD23 | Link in bio | *Survey respondents must be at least 18 years old and live in Maryland."

Fondo marrón oscuro con texto beige y detalles en negro.

"Puedes pedir pruebas de COVID gratuitas en: www.covidtests.gov/es. Las pruebas comenzarán a enviarse el lunes 27 de noviembre."

[foto de la prueba rápida de COVID y el hisopo nasal]

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"You can order free COVID tests at: www.covidtests.gov. Tests will begin shipping on Monday, November 27."

[photo of rapid COVID test and nasal swab]

Cuándo debe quedarse en casa:

-Si usted da positivo: Las pruebas rápidas son muy precisas cuando producen un resultado positivo, si la prueba muestra un resultado positivo, es probable que usted tiene covid.

Si tiene síntomas: O si usted tenga covid u otra enfermedad, detenga la cadena de transmisión y evite contagiar a otras personas con su enfermedad.
Si tuvo una exposición conocida: Una exposición conocida es tener contacto cercano con una persona que dio positivo por COVID (por ejemplo, un compañero de trabajo tiene COVID) cuando era contagioso. Es posible que se sienta bien y que la prueba dé negativo, pero podría ser asintomático o presintomático y aún ser capaz de transmitir el virus.

Todas las páginas: Fondo marrón oscuro con texto beige y detalles en negro.

"Esta máquina protege a sus seres queridos. [foto de prueba de covid] Antes de reunirse, haz una prueba de COVID."

When to Stay Home:

-If you test positive: Rapid tests are highly accurate when they produce a positive result, so any positive test in the lead-up to the gathering means you likely have COVID.

-If you have symptoms: Whether you have COVID or another illness, stop the chain of transmission and avoid spreading your illness to others.

-If you had a known exposure: A known exposure is having any close contact with a COVID-positive individual (e.g. a member of your household has COVID) when they were infectious. You may feel fine and test negative, but you could be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic and still capable of transmitting the virus.

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"This machine protects loved ones. [photo of a rapid COVID test] Before you gather, take a COVID test."

Source

This post is adapted from the People’s CDC’s Safer In-Person Gatherings Guide. For more information, visit: tinyurl.com/PCDCSaferGatherings

Offer COVID Safe and Accessible Options

Some people cannot take the risk of attending an in-person gathering, but it’s important that we meaningfully include these individuals in our holiday celebrations. To make sure everyone can participate, offer remote options or hold your event virtually altogether. No one wants to spend the holidays alone, and we owe it to our loved ones to provide safe and inclusive options.

Before Gathering

In the five-day lead-up to the event, lower your chances of having COVID on the day of your gathering.
-Limit exposures: Limit your exposures by avoiding unmasked indoor and crowded outdoor spaces.
-Wear a mask: Wear a mask in every indoor space and crowded outdoor space you must be in.
-Test for COVID: Take a rapid test every day in the lead-up to the gathering. A negative result does NOT ensure you are negative, but a positive result is almost always accurate.

All slides: Slides 1 and 8 have a dark brown background with white text and beige accents. Slides 2-7 have a beige background with black text and dark brown accents. Every slide has the @COVIDSafeMD handle at the bottom.

Slide 1: Guide for COVID-Safer Gatherings | As the weather gets colder and we spend more time inside, the holidays pose a serious threat to the spread of COVID. Take steps to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from COVID by implementing layered protections at your gathering.

Black and red vertically split background with bold white text and red highlights. On the right side, white text repeats “Take Action.” On the left side, text reads “POWER HOUR | Phonebank for an Immediate De-escalation and Ceasefire in Gaza | Upcoming Sessions: Mon, Nov. 6 & Weds, Nov. 8 from noon - 1PM ET | Registration link in bio | @MAHealthEquity x @COVIDSafeMD”

Black background with white and red text reading “Going to a Protest? [image of N95 mask] Wear a high-quality mask. | COVID precautions make the movement safer and more accessible, and protect everyone from COVID's long-term impacts.”

Maryland Legislative Contacts

Senator Cardin (202) 224-4524
Senator Van Hollen (202) 224-4654
Governor Moore (410) 974-3901

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

As communities world wide organize and fight for an end to the siege of Gaza and justice in Palestine, it is crucial we proactively integrate disability justice and public health protections into our movement. It keeps our fight safer, more accessible and more sustainable. Centering access in our organizing helps us build the care-focused world we all need.

Gray backgrounds with bold white text and red highlights. Slide includes “@MAHealthEquity x @COVIDSafeMD” along the bottom.

Vertically split background between red on the left and gray on the right. On the left side, white text repeats “Take Action.” On the right side, text reads “Power Hour | Phonebank for an Immediate De-escalation and Ceasefire in Gaza | Upcoming Sessions: Mon, Oct. 30 & Weds, Nov. 1 from noon - 1PM ET | Registration Link in Bio.”

Text: We fight COVID because we understand the inherent value of every human life. We mourn the loss of Palestinian and Israeli lives. We advocate that there must be a ceasefire in Gaza now to protect human life. The genocide and apartheid of Palestinians, funded by our public money as Marylanders, is incompatible with disability justice. As President Biden seeks even more funding from the US for war, we join others’ call for a ceasefire and an end to apartheid.

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A pale orange box contains red and teal text, "Actions you can take to #KeepMasksInHealthcare | Write to your Maryland state reps using our letter template | Write and call hospitals using our Maryland Hospital Contact Toolkit." A red box containing pale orange text reads, "Links in bio"

All slides - A light orange background with mid-tone orange N95-style masks arranged in a grid. A pale orange banner across the top has teal text reading "#StillCoviding Stories" with a black microphone on either side. "@CovidSafeMD" is written in teal text at the bottom.

Slide 1 - A pale orange box contains red and teal text, "We asked, 'What care are you NOT accessing because of the lack of COVID protections in healthcare settings?' You answered." A red arrow points to the right.

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Text reads, "1 in 202 Indigenous Americans Have Died From COVID-19."

Phone Bank Action to Reinstate Masking at Adventist Healthcare [image of phone] | Tues, Oct. 10 | Noon ET [image of N95 mask]

Sources: Visit tinyurl.com/CSMDSourcesVaxOct23 to see the complete list of cited sources.

Why should I get the new COVID booster? A boosted person who does get infected creates fewer copies of the virus than an infected person who has not been boosted. (5) The more people who are boosted and protected against COVID, the fewer chances the virus has to copy, mutate, and create new variants. (6) Every person who gets boosted for COVID protects themselves and everyone around them — including those who aren’t able to protect themselves with vaccines.

Why should I get the new COVID booster? Even if you have already been vaccinated for COVID before, getting boosters is important as this virus changes rapidly. (3) Regular booster vaccines provide your immune system with updated information about how to fight off the newer variants of COVID. (4) Also, every person who gets boosted makes it a little bit harder for COVID to spread from person to person through the community.

How much does the vaccine cost? Is it covered by insurance? Most insurers will cover the cost of vaccination, so if you have insurance, your vaccine will likely still be free. Due to the end of the COVID emergency declaration, methods for accessing free vaccines for those without health insurance or whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs have changed. The CDC’s Bridge Access and Vaccines for Children programs (links in bio) will provide no-cost COVID-19 vaccines for individuals without full coverage.

Where Can I Get an Updated COVID Vaccine in Maryland? Vaccine appointments are available at most major pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Giant. Scheduling is available through each retailer's website.

Vaccine stock will vary by date, location, and retailer. If, at first, you can’t find an appointment at a date/time/location that works for you, check back frequently as new appointments will likely become available.

You can also check with your primary care provider or your local pharmacy to see if they carry the vaccine.

What Are The Updated COVID Boosters? The updated Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines are monovalent vaccines, meaning they are targeted at one strain of COVID. These vaccines target the XBB strain. Pfizer and Moderna offer messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines; these vaccines use mRNA to teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. (1) Novavax offers a protein-based vaccine; these vaccines use fragments of protein from the disease-causing virus to trigger protective immunity against it. (2)

Who is Eligible for Each COVID Booster? Table showing that everyone ages 12 and older are eligible for one dose of Novavax, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. People ages 5-11 years are eligible for one dose of Pfizer and Moderna. Unvaccinated people ages 6 months-4 years are eligible for three doses of the Pfizer vaccines or two doses of the Moderna vaccine. Vaccinated people ages 6 months-4 years are eligible for one or two doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, depending on COVID vaccination history.

Who is Eligible for Each COVID Booster? Unlike its predecessor, everyone ages 12 and up is now eligible to receive the updated Novavax vaccine, including individuals who have previously received Pfizer, Moderna, and/or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Pfizer and Moderna eligibility remain unchanged. Everyone ages 6 months and up is eligible to receive the updated Pfizer and Moderna boosters, regardless of past vaccination history.

All slides: A light green background with black text and white highlights. “@CovidSafeMD” is written at the bottom or in the top right corner of each slide.

Slide 1: The FDA & CDC Have Approved Updated Pfizer,Moderna & Novavax Boosters | COVID-19 vaccine appointment scheduling is available now. Here’s what you need to know >