Friday Update with Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren

Mendocino County Numbers for 10-09-20Current cases: 10308.57 per 100,000Testing:Mendocino Coast Clinics: testing weekly through the end of the year  call 964-1251  for an appt. Anderson Valley Health Center: testing weekly through the end of the year, Thursdays 9am-10:30, Anderson Valley HS Parking LotOptumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursdays. No appt. Needed. FreeGualala: Saturday 10am-6pm. RCMS Gualala Clinic triage tent. Appointment needed. RCMS website www.rcms-healthcare.org, click ‘get tested’Point Arena: Saturday, October 10, 2020 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM no appointment necessaryManchester Point Arena Clinic at 10A Mamie Laiwa Road, Point ArenaTesting conducted by AB MedSunday, October 11, 2020  9:30 AM - 12:00 PM no appointment necessaryPoint Arena Veterans Hall at 451 School Street, Point ArenaTesting conducted by MCPHCounty Call Center:  (707) 472-2759Calls: If we wear masks and stay isolated will the virus die out? Has there ever been a vaccine for a coronavirus in the past? Even if the case numbers go down, the virus will most likely not die out. We are hoping to get case numbers low enough through social distancing and vaccination so that we can develop herd immunity. Vaccines were being developed for past coronaviruses, but the technology is vastly improved today even than it was 3-4 years ago.How did they deal with the similar virus outbreak that happened 100 years ago? They dealt with it in basically the same way that we are now, the main difference was that they didn’t have the same type of communication that we do now, and they didn’t have the same type of masking knowledge.How is the county addressing those who refuse to comply with health and isolation regulations, especially those who need to go out in public for work? If people are ordered into isolation or quarantine, the county assides aid to them such as meals, personal needs, and a secure location to isolate if they are not able to do so at home. There is not an overwhelming group of people who refuse to comply.How can consumers be sure that the COVID-19 vaccine will be safe? These vaccines will only be given to healthy people who can handle the injection. However, we do know that some people are more prone to getting seizures after receiving any type of vaccine. While there is an infinitesimal risk of a bad reaction from a vaccine, the health risks from not vaccinating are much worse.