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Safe Paths to Schools Construction Project Dedication Swine Flu Health Tips District Office Open House Extended Office Hours Follow Me On Twitter.com Send an email to Gary Ovitt: SupervisorOvitt@sbcounty.gov Click Here to Subscribe to Ovitt Outlook To unsubscribe to the Ovitt Outlook, please email SupervisorOvitt@sbcounty.gov with the subject: Unsubscribe Newsletter Main Office: 385 N Arrowhead Avenue San Bernardino, CA 92415 909-387-4866 Chino Hills District Office: 14010 City Center Drive Chino Hills, CA 91709 909-465-1895 Staff Members: Mark Kirk, Chief of Staff Joy Chadwick, Deputy Chief of Staff Brian Johsz, District Director Annette Taylor, Executive Secretary Michael Delgado, Executive Analyst Naseem U. Farooqi, Analyst Burt Southard, Media Relations Roman Nava, Small Business Liason Grace Hagman, Field Representative Anthony Riley, Field Representative Jeanna Pomierski, District Secretary |
October 2009
Safe Paths to Schools Construction Project Dedication Click the following link to view Supervisor Ovitt's Video: http://www.sbcounty.gov/bosd4/multimedia/ViewVideo.aspx?vid=161 On September 25, 2009, I dedicated a sidewalk construction project in Chino that will be used by Chino Valley Unified School District students. This is the first phase of the county’s “Safe Paths to Schools Plan”, which builds sidewalks, curbs, gutters and handicap access for students going to and from schools in unincorporated areas of the county. The Board of Supervisors approved the construction project on August 25, 2009. It calls for 6 feet wide concrete sidewalks, curb and gutters, and handicap ramps along both sides of Cozzens Avenue in the Chino area The area is 0.12 miles south of Pamela Drive north to Riverside Drive. The construction will enhance pedestrian safety, particularly in development of a safe walking route to and from the elementary and high school. The project started on Monday, September 21st and should take approximately 35 working days. Constructing sidewalks in local neighborhoods improves the safety for the parents and children as they walk to and from the schools by providing a separated walking path. In addition, the curb and gutter contain storm water in the roadways and away from pedestrians walking along these routes. This is just one of a number of new Safe Paths to Schools construction projects to be built in unincorporated areas of Montclair and Ontario in the near future. The Cozzens Avenue Project will be followed by:
Swine Flu Health Tips Ten Things You Need To Know About Swine-Flu Since it first appeared in April, the global swine flu epidemic has sickened more than 1 million Americans and killed about 500. This past summer, the virus was surprisingly tenacious in the U.S., refusing to fade away as flu viruses usually do. And health officials predict a surge of cases this fall, now that schools have reopened. So how worried should you be and how do you prepare? A panel of health care professionals boiled down the mass of information available into 10 things you should know to be flu-savvy: 1. No cause for panic. So far, swine flu isn't much more threatening than regular seasonal flu. During the few months of this new flu's existence, hospitalizations and deaths from it seem to be lower than the average seen for seasonal flu, and the virus hasn't dramatically mutated. That's what health officials have observed in the Southern Hemisphere where flu season is now winding down. Still, more people are susceptible to swine flu and U.S. health officials are worried because it hung in so firmly here during the summer — a time of year the flu usually goes away. 2. The virus is tougher on some. Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups — children under 2, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Teens and young adults are also more vulnerable to swine flu. Ordinarily, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest, but not swine flu. Scientists think older people may have some immunity from exposure years earlier to viruses similar to swine flu. 3. Wash your hands often and long. Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick. Emphasize to children that they should wash with soap and water long enough to finish singing the alphabet song, "Now I know my ABC's..." Also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. 4. Get the kids vaccinated. These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots— people 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women, health care workers. Also a priority: Parents and caregivers of infants, people with those high-risk medical conditions previously mentioned. 5. Get your shots early. Millions of swine flu shots should be available by October. If you are in one of the priority groups, try to get your shot as early as possible. Check with your doctor or local or state health department about where to do this. 6. Immunity takes awhile. Even those first in line for shots won't have immunity immediately. It takes a week or two for the vaccine to take full effect. The regular seasonal flu shot should be widely available in September. People over 50 are urged to be among the first to get that shot. 7. Vaccines are being tested. Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and effective, but they're testing it to make sure. The federal government has begun studies in eight cities across the country to assess its effectiveness and figure out the best dose. Vaccine makers are doing their own tests as well. It is not entirely clear whether one or two shots will be necessary. That is presently being determined. 8. Help! Surrounded by swine flu. If an outbreak of swine flu hits your area before you're vaccinated, be extra cautious. Stay away from public gathering places like malls, sports events and churches. Try to keep your distance from people in general. Keep washing those hands and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. 9. What if you get sick? If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away. You may be prescribed Tamiflu or Relenza. These drugs can reduce the severity of swine flu if taken right after symptoms start. If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for kids), pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to an emergency room. Most people, though, should just stay home and rest. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks. Fluids and pain relievers like Tylenol can help with achiness and fever. Always check with a doctor before giving children any medicines. Adult cold and flu remedies are not for them. 10. No swine flu from any meat. You can't catch swine flu from pork — or poultry either. Swine flu is not spread by handling meat, whether it's raw or cooked. District Office Open House On September 17, 2009, I hosted an Open House at our new Chino Hills District Office. Approximately 250 community leaders and residents attended. I am always happy to meet with friends and constituents whether it is one-on-one or as a group. The open house, as well as a number of community forums held around the district, have allowed me the opportunity to hear what is on your mind and have apprised me of the issues that are important to you. That is invaluable information and I appreciate it. Thank you to everyone who attended this fun event. Extended Office Hours In an effort to better help meet constituents’ time constraints, we have decided to extend our office hours in the Chino Hills Office, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, until 8 pm. This means the Supervisor’s office will be open from 8 to 5 Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and from 8 am to 8 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. This time extension is part of the County’s “At Your Service” campaign dedicated to better serving the needs of our constituents. These extended office hours will remain in place until the end of the year. Follow Me On Twitter.com To better stay in touch with county residents, I have created a Twitter account. I will post information regarding community events, county-related programs, and disaster information. You can follow me at www.Twitter.com/SupervisorOvitt. |
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