May 2020 Common Ground Newsletter

May 2020

COVID-19 prescreenings are connecting African American and Latino residents to medical care

Free community prescreenings in Rochester neighborhoods will continue through June 6 to help communities of color identify COVID-19 symptoms and connect with medical care. Data have shown that the coronavirus is disproportionately hitting area black and Latino residents.

Prescreenings include a review of COVID symptoms and checks for temperature, blood oxygen level and blood pressure. Community members with symptoms are referred to primary care. Sites are staffed by volunteers from the Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, the Rochester Black Nurses Association and other organizations.

See date and times here.

Take a 30-second survey to help contain COVID

More than 18,000 area residents have signed up for ROC COVID, a health screening tool that could help prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region. Data collected will help health care officials identify virus hot spots and know where to direct additional public resources such as testing. 

“Success will require participation from all of us who live in the Finger Lakes region,” said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health, which is securely housing and analyzing the data for the initiative.

The daily screener takes only seconds to complete. Sign up and learn more at RocCOVID.org.

Facebook live shows bust COVID myths

Do I need to wear gloves when pumping gas? Is it safe to go to church? Can I hold my breath to see if I’m infected with coronavirus? Throughout May, Dr. Linda Clark, senior health advisor of Common Ground Health, and registered nurse Phyllis Jackson, community wellness project manager for Common Ground, have answered these questions and more in a myth-busters-format video show. The lively sessions have aired live on Facebook on Saturday afternoons. Check out all five shows here: Episode 1,  Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, and Episode 5.

Partner spotlight:
Lifespan and the Rochester and Finger Lakes Region Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association

Kudos to Lifespan and the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for ramping up outreach during the coronavirus pandemic. In high poverty neighborhoods, the Alzheimer’s Association has increased advertising of its slate of programs and services available online and over the phone.  Lifespan, working with Foodlink and Medical Motors, has connected family caregivers with emergency deliveries of food, groceries and prescriptions to seniors.

“These agencies have shown us that even though we must remain physically distant from people, we can still support our critical network of caregivers,” said Melissa Wendland, director of strategic initiatives for Common Ground Health.

Read more.

Healthi Kids starts #PlayROCsAtHome challenge

To spur creative, unstructured, at-home play during the coronavirus pandemic, Healthi Kids staff partnered with the City of Rochester's Department of Recreation and Youth Services to assemble 900 play kits featuring reusable toys and game ideas. The kits were given out at meal distribution sites in Rochester. The play kit distribution helped launch a new Healthi Kids social media challenge using the hashtag #playrocsathome, which promotes play's role in developing healthy minds and bodies. Read more.

In the headlines

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle COVID-19 prescreenings take place in diverse Rochester neighborhoods Related: WROC-TV

City Newspaper COVID-19 early detection sites set up in Rochester communities of color Related: Spectrum News

News 10 NBC R-Centers distributing play kits Related: Genesee Sun

Minority Reporter Knowing COVID-19 facts is part of staying safe