Cary, NC — In March, 16 fire cadets in Apex were nearing the end of their 7-month certification process when a seemingly impossible hurdle got in the way. Even while adapting services to the new COVID-19 standard, the Cary Fire Department stepped in to help.
Cary, NC — Many businesses and individuals within our community are struggling with the new realities that COVID-19 has created. The CARES Act, however, may provide some much-needed relief for our neighbors, friends and loved ones.
Cary, NC — Fitness in Cary has experienced a significant turning point following COVID-19 related closures. We’ve compiled a few tips and resources on what this new age of fitness looks like from a handful of Cary gym owners and Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht.
Cary, NC — While schools and many businesses remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these are some of the available resources for free food assistance in Cary and Wake County.
Cary, NC – Latest from the blog of NC Representative Gale Adcock, who is also a nurse.
Dear friends,
I hope that you are well, practicing the recommended social distance of 6 feet, getting outside for fresh air and sunshine, and staying in touch with family and friends by phone and virtually. I hope that you have not been personally affected by COVID-19. You haven’t heard from me until now because for the last 3 1/2 weeks, I have been on the front lines of the clinical response to this pandemic.
Most of you know that I’m a nurse practitioner in family practice at SAS Institute in Cary, NC. Our practice, like all other primary care providers, must be available for our patients who have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, but also to treat other acute illnesses like flu and strep throat, monitor chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, give immunizations to children and adults, and manage other aspects of our patients’ health.
Because COVID-19 has been fast-moving, guidance to health care providers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) and Wake County Health & Human Services has slightly changed almost daily. Like other providers, our practice closely monitors health authorities’ recommendations for patient screening, testing and self-quarantine as well as best practices for protecting health care workers who care for and test them. My full time professional job has been more than full time since early March. I’ve thought of you many times, especially over the last month.
The legislature has been out of session since January 14 with plans to return on April 28 for the short session. Whether and how we will convene is still to be determined. In February I virtually attended 2 DHHS legislative oversight committee meetings and visited Janet Pride’s 4th-grade class at Alston Ridge Elementary School to talk about how laws are made at the state level. It is very refreshing to answer thoughtful questions from 10-year-olds.
When COVID-19 entered the US, everyone’s time and attention shifted, including mine. Since early March I’ve participated in several calls a week conducted specifically to update legislators and answer our questions. These calls are led by Dr. Mandy Cohen, DHHS Secretary along with the leaders of NC Public Safety and Emergency Operations. Governor Cooper is also often on these calls. Also I have been appointed by Speaker Moore to the House Select Committee on COVID-19. Citizen input is welcomed; send comments and concerns here. Comments are shared with committee members weekly. Our first virtual meeting was held last week and we meet again on April 2 at 10:00. Listen to our meetings by clicking 1228 LB.
Like you, I want information about COVID-19 from experts and individuals on the front lines. Hard decisions have been made to protect our citizens and lessen the chances that our hospitals will be overwhelmed by a surge of acutely ill COVID-19 patients. Statistics change daily. Links included in this issue are for reliable sources you can access when you want and need information.
While we’re staying at home except for permitted activities (receiving health care, picking up prescriptions, providing care to family members, shopping for food, outdoor exercise), it’s important to feel connected to others and to maintain good mental health. In addition to reading good books and streaming your favorite TV shows and movies, here are some online options for keeping anxiety and boredom at bay (list courtesy of Mike Stunson; some editorializing by me).
Planet Fitness offers live workout videos daily on Facebook. Gold’s Gym has more than 600 free audio and video workouts until the end of May. Your own fitness center may also offer virtual workouts, yoga or meditation sessions.
You can use Google Earth to visit any national park online. Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are just some of the options.
If you can’t see wildlife from your deck or window, the San Diego Zoo and Monterrey Bay Aquarium are showing live feeds of many of their exhibits.
The NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB have opened their libraries so fans can watch games from years past.
Soak in some culture. Google’s Arts and Culture website offers tours of museums around the world, including the Tokyo National Museum and the Guggenheim. Virtual tours are also available of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
More culture. The Metropolitan Opera streams a different encore presentation each night.
Better Homes & Gardens and the BBC have online videos featuring cooking tips.
Many course from Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Columbia are now available free. In January I took the popular Yale course, “The Science of Well-Being” taught by Professor Laurie Santos. Little did I know how helpful it would be in less than 2 months! If interested, enroll here.
Many of our fellow citizens have lost jobs and businesses because of closures required to slow the spread of COVID-19. This is a good time to help them by contributing to your favorite local non-profit. Two particularly on my radar right now are the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund.
I would not be a good nurse or legislator if I didn’t end this newsletter with advice you’ve likely memorized by now: wash your hands frequently with soap and water; cough and sneeze into your elbow; stay away from others if you feel sick; keep your distance from those who seem ill and from those seem healthy (6 foot rule) and call your health care provider if you have classic COVID-19 symptoms of fever with cough or shortness of breath.
To preserve COVID-19 testing supplies for the very ill and for at-risk front line health care workers, individuals with mild symptoms do not need to be tested. According to the CDC they can assume they have COVID-19 (since we know there is community spread) and are instructed to self-isolate for 7 days + 3 days following their last day of fever.
By taking care of yourselves and ‘staying at home’, you are also taking care of others. Be well.
Yours in service,
Gale
From the blog of NC District 41 Representative Gale Adcock.
Cary, NC — Following a heightened number of positive Covid-19 cases, the Town of Cary has voiced its support for the Stay at Home Proclamation issued by Wake County.
Cary, NC — Going a little stir-crazy? You’re not alone. We’ve compiled a list of 12 virtual experiences to keep your whole family busy this week, some of which directly support Cary businesses.
Cary, NC — Town Manager Sean Stegall is impressed with the work, precautions and adaptability showcased by Town staff since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cary, NC — During a time where we are all encouraged to stay home, there are still plenty of safe and viable options to enjoy time outdoors.
Cary, NC — Many of us are spending more time homebound as Coronavirus-related social distancing plays out, and many households are looking for new hobbies and entertainment.