Health Department: Mpox Vaccinations Now Available

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Despite a low number of cases of mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) in the Bay Area over the last few months, the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) issued a statement last Wednesday letting people know that vaccinations are now available and recommended. Mpox is a viral disease that can be spread between people or between people and certain animals like monkeys or squirrels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-toskin contact, including direct contact with an mpox rash

Care: CV Brothers Establish ‘Zone 7’

continued from front page including the homeless and people on the streets. They fund scholarships for deserving students who share their passion for health equity and community well-being. They’ve brought nutrition information to underfunded schools. And to encourage exercise and combat childhood obesity, Ryan donated soccer balls to an elementary school in Oakland. The school had major funding limitations on its physical education programs, so Ryan taught the kids to play soccer.

To raise funds and awareness for these activities, the brothers receive pledges for physical challenges that they do between studies.

The first year they did a 600-mile bike ride from Castro Valley to the Mexican border near San Diego. They raised $1,500 from family and friends.

The second year they did an

Iron Man Triathlon: swimming, biking, and running a marathon, and raised close to $10,000.

On May 6 this year, they tried their most difficult challenge: each carrying 100 pounds of water seven miles from the Colorado River at the base of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim—a 5,000-foot elevation gain. This has only been done once by elite Olympic athlete Ryan Hall. Unfortunately, the brothers made it five miles and had to stop carrying the water due to safety concerns as darkness approached. They finished the final two miles without the water.

“This was definitely our hardest challenge so far,” says Nick, who had very limited time to train while in med school. “I had a big water jug in my backyard that I’d carry around whenever I had 20 minutes to spare or on my days off.”

Animator: ‘Oren’s Way’ Film Debut this Sunday

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Ten animators used computers to hand-draw 24,000 frames for “Orens Way.” The animators were given storyboards and instructions on what Lee wanted to do for each shot. The project took three and a half years to finish.

“Hand-drawn animation is special. There’s nothing like it still,” Lee says. “It brings a lot of personality and emotion to every line that is crafted. Also, it emotes a lot of nostalgia to those who grew up watching old Disney movies.”

Lee adds that she’s submitted “Oren’s Way” in other film festivals, but she is excited to debut it for her hometown audience.

“If this girl from a small town can make a big dream come true, then anybody can,” Lee says.

Despite the setback, the Allens were able to raise over $15,000 and are still gratefully accepting donations at their website https://www.zone7.io/ .

Their non-profit has also expanded from just the two brothers to approximately 20 volunteers now. Most are med students, but others are nurses, people who work in affordable housing, and computer support.

The Allen brothers, who were active in local sports here, attended Jensen Ranch Elementary and Canyon Middle Schools in Castro Valley.

Both graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Nick in 2016, and Ryan in 2018. Both graduated from U.C. Berkeley and are excited to be together again, studying at the Mayo Clinic campus in Phoenix. Ryan plans to be an Emergency Room doctor, and Nick to become a primary care physician.

Their non-profit’s name, “Zone 7,” comes from a term used in exercise science.

“There are six so-called ‘zones’ of exertion, 1 to 6, increasing in intensity,” says Ryan. “In Zone 1, you’re resting. By Zone 5, you’re sprinting. Zone 7 doesn’t really exist, but it’s our way of creating another level if you will.”

To find out more about the Allens and the Zone 7 activities, or to donate, see the following online: Website: zone7.io/donate; Venmo: @ zone7health; Email: contact@ zone7.io; and social media (Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc.): @zone7health or scabs from a person with mpox, as well as contact with their saliva, snot, mucus, or genitalia.

In the current mpox outbreak, the virus is spreading primarily through sexual contact, the ACPHD said. Persons living with HIV, persons who are eligible for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), men who have sex with men, trans people, and nonbinary people are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated.

However, infections have occurred through other exposures, including non-sexual contact. County health officials are encouraging all those who need protection from mpox to get vaccinated now, ahead of large-crowd summer celebrations like concerts or festivals.

The vaccine is administered as a two-dose series, given at least 28 days apart. People are considered “fully vaccinated” 14 days after getting the twodose series.

“Mpox shouldn’t be allowed to ruin summer fun,” said Dr. George Ayala, ACPHD Deputy Director. “The 2-dose JYNNEOS vaccine, together with prevention education, are our strongest lines of defense against mpox infection, serious illness, and hospitalization. The vaccine is safe and effective. We must get the word out now.”

There are several upcoming events where you can get vaccinated at no cost. For information, visit the ACPHD website (monkeypox.wpengine.com/ vaccine/)

Parks: I’ve Decided It’s Time to Retire

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Many thanks to the Park District Public Affairs Department, and all the district staff, past and present, who have been generous with their time and info. Any errors that have showed up in my columns have been mine, not theirs.

Thanks also to the media for its continuing coverage of the District and its services to the public. I would also like to thank the readers, who have occasionally suggested column topics, shared their own park experiences, or pointed out my factual lapses.

Of course the real star of the show has always been the East Bay Regional Park District itself. And its story is a remarkable one. From its founding in 1934 through a grass-roots movement headed by community leaders with admirable foresight, the District has grown to become a two-county public agency with 73 parks totaling more than 125,000 acres. It is the largest regional park agency in the United States. Wherever you live in the East Bay, there is a regional park within 15 minutes of your home.

Their foresight notwithstanding, the Park District’s founders would likely be amazed at the agency’s size and variety today. The District’s offerings include hiking, equestrian and cycling trails, picnicking, camping, swimming, fishing, and natural and cultural history programs. District parklands also preserve critical habitat for wildlife and protect some of the beautiful open spaces that make the East Bay such a desirable place to live.

I urge everyone to take advantage of all the great programs and activities for all ages that are available in the Regional Parks. The parks are an extraordinary resource for recreation, nature study, and the health benefits conferred by outdoor exercise. We are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of the founders’ vision, and the agency they created needs and deserves our support.

My columns could only mention a few of the District’s programs each week. For the full story, visit www.ebparks. org/things-to-do, and also look for the District’s bi-monthly Regional in Nature Activity Guide, available at visitor centers, as a newspaper insert, and online at www.ebparks. org/RIN.

As for me, although I will no longer be writing the column, I will continue involvement with the District through the Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol and other activities, exploring and enjoying our regional parks. I hope to see you on the trails.