Protect against the flu
Protect against the flu
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Noting the widespread flu activity in Ohio and particularly in Lucas County, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland,D-Ohio, joined Lucas County Health Commissioner Eric Zgodzinski in alerting Ohio families to important resources to protect themselves against the flu.
The Ohio Department of Health reports 3,854 flu-associated hospitalizations in Ohio since the start of the 2017-18 flu season. This month, two Ohio children died from complications of the flu; and in Lucas County, there have been four deaths likely due to flu-related complications.
Protecting against the flu starts with getting the flu shot. Ohioans can visit vaccinefinder.org to find local health care providers that offer flu vaccinations in their ZIP code. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone over 6 months should get a flu vaccine every year.
Other precautionary measures include washing hands, covering coughs and disinfecting contaminated surfaces to prevent spreading the flu. Those who may have the flu are encouraged to seek treatment from a doctor right away and stay home from school or work, if possible.
Reliable transportation system is needed
COLUMBUS
More than half of the people with disabilities responding to a recent statewide transportation survey indicated that they had to wait at least 30 minutes or longer to be picked up for a ride. Approximately 51 percent of the survey’s 534 respondents with disabilities stated the rides they depend on were 15 minutes or more late.
The study, released by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council and done by the Ohio Colleges of Medicine, Government Resource Center, included responses from over 2,200 Ohioans in 63 counties in Ohio. Survey participants included people with disabilities, family members, transportation providers and advocacy organizations.
Mark Seifarth, chairman of the ODDC, said the study confirmed that community inclusion and participation for people with disabilities could not be achieved without a reliable transportation system for people with disabilities.
Pediatric psychologist
AKRON
Dr. Shana Wilson has joined Akron Children’s Hospital as a pediatric psychologist in the department of Neurobehavioral Health. She will spend some of her time as the psychologist on the interdisciplinary feeding team.
Wilson, of Poland, received her doctorate in clinical psychology at Kent State University, specializing in child clinical and adolescent psychology, and completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychology at Akron Children’s.
Speed and motor vehicle crashes
ITASCA, ILL.
“The National Safety Council applauds the National Transportation Safety Board for examining the correlation between speed and motor vehicle crashes in its new report, ‘Reducing Speed-Related Crashes Involving Passenger Vehicles,’” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO.
“Speed is a pervasive killer. Year after year, we lose nearly 10,000 people because drivers refuse to ease up on the accelerator. It is not only those behind the wheel or in the vehicle who are killed in these crashes. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are also victims,” Hersman said.
The National Safety Council and the Road to Zero coalition are focused on the proven countermeasures included in the NTSB report. Federal, state and local leaders are encouraged to embrace these solutions as well.