The eyes of the world are on police interactions with communities across the United States. So what’s Mecklenburg County doing about it? Since 2008, the County has been a part of the Crisis Intervention Team program, or CIT. The program better prepares officers to respond to people in crisis with a serious mental illness.
Continue ReadingPublic Health professionals have been in the spotlight for their work around the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ve heard all about the testing sites, call centers, and vaccination clinics. They’re also the ones on the other end of the phone (or screen) answering your questions about the virus – how can I protect myself? What should I do if I think I have COVID-19? Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe? (Yes, it’s safe and effective! Learn more here.) They are real life HEROS, and our community owes them all a huge THANK YOU!
The reality is, Public Health professionals track epidemics every day, and while the job isn’t always as glamorous as Hollywood would suggest (have you seen Contagion!?), it is an essential public health service. It’s one of 10 essential services, in fact.
Continue ReadingPhone, wallet, keys, mask. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a mask anytime we are in public, at a gathering, or around other people. We know it’s one of the best ways for us to protect our health and our families. But, it’s also one of the best ways for us to support our community and the local economy!
Continue ReadingFootball is back this week, and we’re ready to celebrate (go Panthers!) While the pandemic may limit your usual tailgating plans, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy football season while staying safe. Keep these tips in mind:
Continue ReadingIf you’re like me, a beautiful Labor Day weekend conjures up memories of summer block parties, crowded pools, and afternoons at packed breweries. But this year is– well, different. COVID-19 requires that we consider not just the weather, what guests to invite, and what we’ll include on the barbecue menu. We also have to think about what risks our holiday activities have. Our health and the health of our loved ones depend on it.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate! In fact, we should. We’ve made it through six months of this global pandemic and our trends are starting to improve. That’s good news. But none of us want our Labor Day fun to be the reason a friend or family member get sick. That just means we need to find ways to have fun safely. To that end, you might be running a little low on ideas. I know I am! So here’s a little inspiration.
Continue ReadingIf you think you have COVID-19, first of all, don’t panic. There are a lot of experienced medical professionals in our area who can help you. We’ll take you through what you should do, step by step.
Continue ReadingWritten by the Public Health Department
Healthy can mean different things for different people. We know healthy eating should include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. But for thousands of people in our community, finding those foods is a challenge. You may have a neighbor, a friend, a coworker who is food insecure. It could be because they don’t have enough money for fresh vegetables. Or maybe they live in a food desert, which is a neighborhood with low access to healthy and affordable food.
Continue ReadingUpdated 5/18/2022
By now you’ve probably heard the news: we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. That means physical health is taking the spotlight, but it’s important to pay attention to our mental health too. As routines and lives shift, it’s natural to experience stress and anxiety.
How you manage that stress depends on many personal and situational factors. But there are common signs that stress and anxiety may be getting the best of you.
Continue ReadingWritten with Mecklenburg County Public Information colleagues.
Now that COVID-19 has travelled to the U.S., we’re all taking great care to exercise our very best hand washing habits. And while it shouldn’t take a worldwide outbreak to get us there, the important thing is that it’s happening! By now you’ve probably seen the Atlanta Magazine article citing 9 Atlanta songs to help you wash your hands for 20 full seconds just like the CDC recommends (because who really wants to sing Happy Birthday twice?). We thought it would be fun to take a similar approach–but with a North Carolina twist! Okay, they aren’t North Carolina songs per-se, but the artists can proudly be claimed by our state.
So when you’re perfecting your hand washing technique, here are a few options to help you keep time.
Continue ReadingWinter is a magical time of year. When I see snow flurries, I think of making a snowman, skiing in the mountains, or sitting near a warm, crackling fire at home. But not everyone has these same thoughts. Nearly 3,200 people in Mecklenburg County are homeless. Winter to them means cold conditions and the struggle to keep warm and fed.
What can we as a compassionate society do to help our homeless neighbors? Here are a few ideas:
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