Blogs

Let’s talk Halloween. If you think staying safe on October 31, means no fun, it’s time to get creative. In the last few weeks, the internet has been filled with ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 while celebrating Halloween. Whether you’re going to be with kids or adults, hop on line and you can find safe ideas along with inspiration for your (online) costume contest winning get-up. If that’s too overwhelming, here’s some simple ideas to keep you celebrating.

A new study shows that youth and young adults who reported using vapor products are more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than individuals who have never used them. Vapor product use among youth in Spokane County significantly increased between 2016 and 2018. The association of vapor product use and COVID-19, along with higher rates of use are increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19 in our communities.

There is no doubt this has been a stressful year and kids may not understand how the stress is impacting them. It is important that adults find ways to help children cope with everything going on, especially as school begins. There are many resources out there to help you and your family through this time, so where do you start? Here is a simple way to begin. Helping kids make their own cozy corner can give them a consistent and calming place to go when they feel overwhelmed.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is a hard topic to discuss, but the good news is suicide is preventable. According to Washington State Department of Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals 10 – 24 years of age and the eighth leading cause of death for all individuals in both Washington State and Spokane County. This year with the stress of our current pandemic it is more important than ever to learn how to seek help for ourselves and for others. With the right help and resources, we can be prepared and make a difference.

August is a time when families start thinking about immunizations needed for school. This year everything feels different. Many schools will not offer in-person learning, and clinics have so many new protocols it’s hard to know when we should or should not be seen. In spite of these changes, it is still important to receive routine immunizations.