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01/19/2021

Today's COVID-19 Report: Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Tuesday, January 19 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and other topics of importance.

A REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS

Check LeadingAge's FAQs and Resources on COVID-19 Vaccines and Issues Surrounding Vaccinations frequently. The most recent update includes Q&A on implications of mandating the vaccine for staff.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has released a preliminary toolkit that has been developed with talking points, language tips, social media language, and trusted resources to help providers better communicate information regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. 

In Today's Report

  • Fraudulent unemployment claim experience:  Please email us
  • 2021 Housing Happenings monthly series kicks off January 20
  • Enrolled vaccine providers: Prepare to safely store Pfizer vaccine 
  • LeadingAge Strategic Plan places diversity, equity, and inclusion front and center
  • LeadingAge Need to Know

Fraudulent unemployment claim experience:  Please email us

A LeadingAge Ohio member has reported that they have received three unemployment claims within the past week on behalf of employees who are still employed. The member reported these as fraudulent to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), but the paperwork required for clearly fraudulent submissions is significant. Attempts to reach the telephonic fraud line have been unsuccessful.

If your organization has had a similar experience, please email ASAP Patrick Schwartz at pschwartz@leadingageohio.org. LeadingAge Ohio is seeking to elevate the matter, and would like to ensure that all members who may be experiencing similar activity are included. 

2021 Housing Happenings monthly series kicks off January 20

LeadingAge Ohio and LeadingAge Maryland are proud to partner again in 2021 to offer Housing Happenings calls on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:00AM. This educational teleconference series is designed specifically for affordable housing professionals, featuring practical learning sessions for service coordinators, property managers, and other individuals who work with older adults in affordable housing settings.

The 2021 Housing Happenings series kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20 as the group will discuss COVID-19 vaccines in affordable senior housing. Joining the call will be Dr. John Weigand, President of Central Ohio Geriatrics and Chief Medical Officer of National Church Residences, and several individuals from the Baltimore City Health Department. There is no cost for this series but registration is required. Register in advance here.

Enrolled vaccine providers: Prepare to safely store Pfizer vaccine 

LeadingAge Ohio is aware of approximately 70 long-term care providers that have registered as providers of the vaccine, although not which specific organizations are doing so; as a result we are passing this info along to all providers. LeadingAge Ohio was informed that some providers without onsite ultra-cold storage capabilities will receive Pfizer vaccine throughout Phase 1B. LeadingAge Ohio was also informed that it will not necessarily be the same providers from shipment to shipment. Consequently, all providers must be prepared to safely store, handle, and administer the Pfizer vaccine.

Pfizer is offering several training sessions this week (content is the same for each session) regarding storage, handling, and administration of the Pfizer vaccine:

More information and resources for safely storing, handling, and administering the Pfizer vaccine are available on the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) COVID-19 Vaccine Provider webpage in the “Manufacturer Specific Information” section and under the “Pfizer” tab. Questions can be sent via email to COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov. 

LeadingAge Strategic Plan places diversity, equity, and inclusion front and center

In 2021, LeadingAge is helping provider members focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a key component of its recently adopted strategic plan. Over the next 3 years, LeadingAge aims to offer all member organizations the tools and resources they need to develop a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

LeadingAge is asking for members’ assistance in completing a new survey. Multi-site organizations should look for an email today with a link to a 5-minute survey that will help LeadingAge learn more about where members are with DEI.

The survey will ask:

  • What are you currently doing to make your organizations more inclusive?
  • What challenges are you facing as you work toward your diversity goals?
  • What would you like to accomplish in the future?

LeadingAge is eager to hear both from members who have launched diversity and inclusion initiatives and those who have not. The data from the survey and future interviews with chief diversity and inclusion officers will help LeadingAge understand where members are on their DEI journey and identify promising practices.

LeadingAge Need to Know: COVID-19 – January 19, 2021

LeadingAge shares the latest coronavirus news and resources with members twice each weekday. This morning's update featured an announcement on the "Honor the Lives Lost to COVID-19" taking place this evening at 5:30PM.

Check out the full report here.

                Linkage Solutions                         Buerger

Questions

Please send all questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org. Additionally, members are encouraged to visit the LeadingAge Ohio COVID-19 Working Group facebook group to pose questions to peers and share best practices. LeadingAge is continuing its daily calls for all members.  To participate in these daily online updates, members should register here.  

LeadingAge Ohio is working to ensure that the information in our daily alerts, on our website, and all coronavirus-related communications is as accurate as possible. However, LeadingAge Ohio makes no guarantees about the accuracy of the information. 

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