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www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews December 11,2022 Pages
NEWS RECAP -
from stories on SturNews Online
website at www.starnewsgaonline.com
Georgia Department of Public Health
urges public to get flu shot now
The Georgia Department of Public Health
(DPH) is urging Georgians to get protection
against the flu right now. Flu activity is already
widespread in Georgia, earlier than seen in
recent years. The flu shot lessens the symp
toms if you should become ill with the flu.
It takes about two weeks after receiving the
shot for antibodies to develop in the body and
provide protection against the flu, so it’s impor
tant to take preventive measures now.
New for this season, there are three flu shots
recommended for individuals 65 years and
older. Talk to your healthcare provider or phar
macist about which vaccine is best for you.
However, if you can’t get one of the quadriva-
lents, don’t delay - any flu protection is prefera
bly to no flu protection.
Flu shots are available at public health
departments, doctors’ offices, grocery stores,
neighborhood clinics and pharmacies. A flu
shot can be administered at the same time as
COVID shot, so it’s a good time to get your
updated booster, too.
Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore
throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, chills
and fatigue. One of the most pronounced flu
symptoms is an overall feeling of achiness and
malaise that comes on quickly.
In addition to the early arrival of flu, respira
tory syncytial virus or RSV is also affecting a
high number of Georgians, especially young
children and older adults. RSV is a common
respiratory virus that causes cold-like symp
toms but can lead to lung inflammation and to
pneumonia. It is especially serious in infants
because of the small airways in their lungs.
Call your healthcare professional if you or your
child is having difficulty breathing, not drink
ing enough fluids, or experiencing worsening
symptoms. There is no vaccine for RSV.
There are, however, tried and true measures
to help prevent the spread of respiratory ill
nesses like flu and RSV:
- Frequent and thorough handwashing with
soap and warm water. Alcohol based gels are
the next best tiling if you don’t have access to
soap and water.
- Cough or sneeze into the crook of your
elbow or arm to help prevent spread of the flu.
- Avoid touching your face as flu germs can
get into the body through mucus membranes of
the nose, mouth and eyes.
- It is important to stay home from school or
work if you are sick to keep from spreading
infections to others. Some people are at higher
risk of developing serious complications if they
get sick. This includes people 65 years and
older, people of any age with certain chronic
medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or
heart disease, pregnant women, and children
younger than 5 years, but especially those
younger than 2 years old. You should be free of
a fever, without the use of a fever reducer, for
at least 24 hours before returning to school or
work.
For information about flu and how to pre
vent it, log on to dph.ga.gov/flu. More about
RSV at https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html.
Georgia weekly influenza reports can be
found at https://dph.georgia.gov/flu-activity-
georgia.The reports are updated on Friday.
Georgia Library Service for the Blind
and Print Disabled launches new
ways to access library services
The Georgia Library Service for the Blind
and Print Disabled (GLS) has a new website
launched this week that makes it easier to sign
up or access audio or braille books and other
low vision resources. The redesigned website
has improved accessibility features and has
been tested for ease of reading with screen
reading devices: https://gls.georgialibraries.org
Georgia Library Service for the Blind and
Print Disabled also is launching a new TV and
radio PSA that will air statewide to raise aware
ness of the free services they provide. The
state’s public libraries are encouraged to share
the PSA with their local media as well.
Through Georgia Library Service for the
Blind and Print Disabled, Georgia Public
Library Service provides library services for
individuals who are blind or whose physical
abilities require the use of books and maga
zines in audio format or in braille. Georgia
Library Service for the Blind and Print
Disabled lends talking books and the easy-to-
use talking book players needed to use them
free of charge and also offers talking books and
magazines online and through the Braille and
Audio Reading Download (BARD) Mobile
app. Reader advisors are available to help
patrons with any questions or to select books
via phone.
Georgia Library Service for the Blind and
Print Disabled isn’t just for those who are
blind. Individuals also are eligible if they are
low vision, temporarily, or permanently physi
cally unable to hold a book and turn the page,
or have reading disabilities such as dyslexia.
Sign up: Application can be filled out by
hand or computer and has basic questions such
as name, address, qualifying condition, and the
types of reading materials that interest the
patron. The application includes a place for the
certifying authority to sign. After staff receive
the application via postal service or email, they
will be in touch to provide the service delivery
in the way that the patron prefers.
Lake Carroll Lawn Equipment
MERRy CHRISTMAS
&
Happy New Year!
SANTA SAID, THERE IS STILL TIME TO
SHOP & WE HAVE JUST
WHAT YOU KEEP!
mi Bankhead Hwy
Suite 13
Carrollton, GA 30117
770-832-7705
Brian Sammon Owner
8:30am-5:30pm*Sat. 8:30am-2pm
J. Collins
FUNERAL HOMff
1 & CREMATION SERVICE U
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At Godins Ameral Aome & Grematim Sernce, we
defoeve that receding ontheyond times is m important
part &fj celebrating Ofae. This season, we are grateful ftor the
community and Ramifies we seroe. Sn, whether this year has
6 em a season ofj loss or a season ojjjoy, our thong fits and
prayers are with yon.
206 South Carroll Road.
Villa Rica , Georgia 30180
Phone: 770-459-6090
www.jcollinsfuneralhome.com