10
|
HEALTH & BEAUTY
WWW.THEPRESS.NET
FEBRUARY 26, 2021
Where to get your vaccine in East County Susannah Meyer, Brentwood’s newly elected city council member has been extremely helpful in getting information to our local seniors about COVID-19 and other important issues affecting our community. As a first-time politician, she hit the road running, relaying data Senior to people in her district, orner especially seniors that are still sheltering-inplace. Since the vaccine became available, there has been a flurry of phone calls for appointments, and the system is Marla Luckhardt understandably slow. In fact, it is overloaded, and one must be a little aggressive and creative in one’s search for the vaccine. Last week, I shared our experience as we now wait for round number two of our shots. Sign up wherever you can, starting with the Contra Costa country website, www.contracosta.ca.gov, as well as your local Safeway www.safeway.com/ pharmacy/covid-19.html. Call your nearby CVS and Walgreens to see what their policies are and when they can fit you in.
C
You will get an email or a call back that allows you to schedule an appointment. As a courtesy to others, make sure to keep it and then let anyone else that contacts you know you have already been scheduled so they can give it to the next person. According to Meyer, every adult over 75 here in Brentwood and surrounding areas has gotten an appointment if they have registered. That in itself is great news but look out for each other especially any loved ones and neighbors living alone, that may not be aware of the ways to sign up. Meyers has also shared a link to an informative webinar that can be seen at http://bit.ly/thepressnet_VaccineWebinar. Lots of questions are answered. Transportation issues for seniors who do not drive have been addressed but not solved, according to Meyers. One positive step is getting in-home caregivers vaccinated so they can provide rides to their clients. Silver Rides is like Uber but for seniors who need extra assistance with wheelchairs, walkers or any other type of guidance. This, like other ride companies, charges for their service, so ask about pricing if you call them. 1-415-861-7433. General questions about COVID-19 vaccine may be directed to the county’s
“ Since the vaccine became available, there has been a flurry of phone calls for appointments and the system is understandably slow.
”
multilingual call center at 1-844-729-8410. Medi-Cal (not Medicare) offers nonmedical and nonemergency transportation, which includes rides to get the vaccine at no cost. Here is a link for some information if you are on the MediCal. cchealth.org/insurance/medi-cal. To arrange transportation, Medi-Cal recipients need to contact their Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan (CCHP or Anthem Blue Cross). A vast majority of Medi-Cal recipients in Contra Costa have CCHP as their care plan, and the phone number for CCHP is 877-800-7423. Recipients need to make arrangements at least 2 weeks before their appointment. Meyers is excited about her new responsibilities and is anxious to reach out
to anyone with questions. She encourages any groups that can give her community feedback on all issues for the district, to contact her. A lot of her focus is getting that feedback from our senior community and invites everyone to join any of the virtual meetings regarding all local issues of concern. You can email her at Smeyer@ brentwoodca.gov for more information on those meetings that are of concern to you as well as going to the Brentwood site which is www.brentwoodca.gov for general information about our town. Surrounding towns have their own sites as well. Antioch is www.Antiochca.gov, Oakley is www. ci.oakley.ca.us and Discovery Bay is www.todb.ca.gov. One of her campaign promises was to assist seniors in our area and get information to them. She is doing what she promised. Please remember to check on your own neighbors. Once you are vaccinated perhaps a ride for them can be helpful. Stay safe. We are getting closer to life outside the living room soon. Marla Luckhardt is a Brentwood resident who works with several local senior care and advocacy groups. Reach her at marla2054@aol.com.
What is a seborrheic keratosis? REGIONAL Thanks to education and awareness about skin cancer, more people are taking heed of skin growths and visiting their dermatologists. A spot or mole on the body can be a cause for concern. A seborrheic keratosis is one such type of skin growth that is actually benign but may cause concern due to its appearance. Seborrheic keratoses, or SKs, are one of the most common noncancerous skin growths, says The Mayo Clinic. Although
anyone can get them, they are more common in middle-aged to older adults. The American Academy of Dermatology says a seborrheic keratosis may seem worrisome, because it can look like a wart, a precancerous skin growth or even skin cancer. However, despite their appearance, SKs are harmless. How do SKs form? Seborrheic means greasy and keratosis means thickening of the skin. Despite the
name, SKs are not known to be caused by an abundance of sebum in the skin, nor are they limited to areas of increased oil production. The exact cause of SKs isn’t known, but some doctors feel that an overproduction of skin cells can cause a thickening of the skin in certain areas. Appearance of SKs Some of these growths have a warty, rough surface, while others look like dabs of warm, brown candle wax on the skin. ADA
says they can range in color from white to black, but most are tan or brown. Treatment Unless a seborrheic keratosis is in an area that causes constant irritation, there is really no need to seek treatment. However, dermatologists can remove them quite easily if they are unsightly or uncomfortable. A topical anesthetic, cryosurgery or laser therapy is possible. – Courtesy Metro Creative
Worship Services Immaculate Heart of Mary
www.IHMBrentwood.com
MASSES / MISAS SATURDAY/SÁBADO: 5pm English; 6:30pm Español SUNDAY/DOMINGO 7:30am • 9:00am • 12:30pm English 10:45am • 2:00pm Español; 5:00pm Latin 500 Fairview • Brentwood • 634-4154
REZ!
Brentwood rentwood C Community ommunity B United nited M Methodist ethodist C Church hurch U Reconciling Congregation Love God... Love People...
Serve The World... Sunday Worship Service SundayAM Worship Service 10:30 10:30 AM Sunday School Sunday School & Youth&Ministry Youth Ministry 809 Second Street 809 Second Street Downtown Brentwood Downtown Brentwood (925) 634-3093 (925) 634-3093
Camino Diablo Rd. & McCabe Rd. Byron • 634-6625 SUNDAYS @ Knightsen School 1923 Delta Road, Knightsen
10:00 AM - Worship See Website for Details Pastor: Frank Griffith
www.brentwoodumc.org www.brentwoodumc.org
Resurrection
MASSES
Sat. Evening 5:00 pm Mass Sunday Community Life Center 8:30 & 10:30 am 12:30 pm/Español Weekday: Mon-Thurs: 9:00 am – Chapel
www.stannechurchbyron.com
MDC Online Sunday Worship Music and Message at Home
Let others know about your services
Click here to go to marinersdiscoverychurch.com and watch the latest message
P.O. Box 476, Byron 94514
Ministries
“Connecting People to Christ”
Pastor Dave Prill
Sunday Worship
• 8:30 - Classic • 9:30 - Sunday School - all ages • 10:45 - Family Praise 1275 Fairview Ave. • Brentwood
634-5180
www.rezministry.org an outreach of the Lutheran Church Missouri – Synod
Delta Community Presbyterian Church 1900 Willow Lake Rd. Discovery Bay (925) 634-0184
www.dcpcfamily.org
Join us Sundays www.goldenhills.org
(925)516-0653
Mariner's DISCOVERY Church
Advertise your hours & location here for as low as
25
$
Call 634-1441 today!
You may be home, but you are not alone. God is With You! MDC is here for you, too! New Services Online every Sunday.
