As the leaves turn to yellow and orange and a nip of cold can be felt in the air, it’s not unusual to start thinking about the holiday season that is coming up.

What is not typical, however, is trying to figure out how to celebrate as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monongalia County Health Department is here to help. The Great Pumpkin will be pleased to know that Halloween will be making an appearance in Monongalia County this year. Four municipalities — Morgantown, Westover, Star City and Blacksville — will hold trick-or-treat on Saturday, Oct. 31, while the town of Granville will host a parade through town on Friday, Oct. 30.

So then comes the next question: how to stay safe? The city of Morgantown’s website has some great advice, as does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Let’s start with Morgantown’s tips:

• Don’t trick-or-treat if you feel sick;
• Stay outside and keep it moving;
• Stay in your own neighborhood;
• Keep groups small;
• Wear a cloth mask;
• Give others space when passing;
• Wash or sanitize your hands before eating candy.

If you plan to give out candy you should follow these tips:

• Be innovative and don’t use a communal candy bowl;
• Space candy out on a table or group candy in individual grab-and-go bags;
• Don’t hand out candy if you or someone in your home is sick;
• Keep your porch lights out if you do not want to participate.

The Dominion Post recently published a story about how a half PVC pipe could be fashioned into a chute for distributing candy at a distance. Some friends of mine thought a skeleton hand would be a fun and safe way to hand out treats. That got my husband to thinking that a robotic arm that could be maneuvered from inside the house would be a good, high-tech method to accomplish this as well. 

As for the CDC, even though trick-or-treat is an option in Monongalia County, it urges parents to consider safer alternatives. Activities have been divided into three groups: low risk, moderate risk and high risk.

Low Risk: 

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them;
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends;
• Decorating your house, apartment or living space;
• A Halloween scavenger hunt;
• A virtual Halloween costume contest;
• A Halloween movie night with housemates or close family members;
• A scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.

Moderate Risk:

• Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go;
• Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart;
• Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart;
• Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where mask use is enforced and people can remain more than 6 feet apart;
• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is enforced and people can socially distance; 
• An outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with everyone spaced at least 6 feet apart.

The CDC considers trick-or-treating to be a higher risk, along with attending a crowded party with no social distancing and a trunk-or-treat in which treats are handed out from the back of a car.

Also, the use of drugs and alcohol are discouraged because that will lower your judgment. It’s also recommended that individuals from more urban areas that are experiencing high rates of COVID-19 refrain from going to more rural areas that aren’t.
​
However your family celebrates Halloween, think about how you can keep your children and other community members safe. You know the drill: Masks (the medical kind for those not wearing costumes), social distancing and lots and lots of hand washing and hand sanitizer. 

Also, it’s going to be getting dark, so remember the typical Halloween safety tips such as carrying flashlights, watching for cars (and pedestrians if you’re the driver) and selecting a safe costume.

​A safe Halloween is a happy Halloween. 

Our mouths are perhaps one of the areas we consider least when we think about good physical health. 

In reality, proper dental hygiene is a combination of strong teeth, healthy gums and fresh breath that, when ignored, can lead to a variety of issues. It is important to take time and think about if your teeth are getting the treatment they need. 

National Dental Hygiene Month is celebrated every October, with the goal of highlighting just that. When you visit the dentist for a typical appointment, a dental hygienist will give your teeth a thorough cleaning. You know that “dentist visit” clean feeling.

There’s much to celebrate about the hard work dental hygienists do across the nation. When you are not getting that deep clean from a hygienist, here are some simple steps that will both improve your oral health and show your observance of National Dental Hygiene Month:

• Floss every day – Flossing is an essential practice that gets in those hard to reach places that a brush cannot. Be sure to get in between each tooth and carefully clean each.
• Brush twice a day for two minutes – Consistent brushing prevents bad breath and gum disease. Be sure to brush back and forth and side to side for two minutes each time.
• Rinse with mouthwash – People may often think mouthwash is not necessary, but dental hygienists disagree. Using an antimicrobial rinse after you brush eliminates bad breath, and can take care of any bacterial remnants in your mouth.

This has proven to be quite a different year for dental care facilities. MCHD Dentistry closed its doors in mid-March for two months because of COVID-19. Now that the dental office has reopened, there are guidelines in place to keep both employees and patients safe.  

Whitney Holmes, a registered dental hygienist and MCHD Dentistry’s Infection Control Coordinator (ICC), breaks down what to expect during a visit to our facility:

“MCHD Dentistry has made changes to accommodate the recommendations and guidelines from the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For instance, you can expect a friendly phone call one day prior to your appointment to confirm your visit and ask a few COVID related screening questions.” 

“Also, when you arrive for an appointment, we will ask that you remain in your vehicle and call our office to let us know you are here, your provider will call you back once he/she is ready for your appointment.” 

“We will let you into the office via the side door, where your provider will meet you to have you sanitize your hands, take your temperature and have you sign a consent verifying you do not have any COVID symptoms, permitting us to treat you during this time.”

Hygienists and dentists will be wearing more personal protective equipment (PPE), and you will be asked to use a mouth rinse consisting of water and hydrogen peroxide before treatments begin.

In fact, before MCHD Dentistry reopened, registered dental hygienist Tiffany Summerlin created a video outlining the changes that clients could expect that protect both them and the staff. 

MCHD Dentistry has made dental care safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you do not plan on seeing a dentist during this time period, the best things you can do to care for your teeth are to brush and floss every day. However, if you have an issue, such as a toothe ache or other dental problem, consider making an appointment.

Holmes always recommends brushing both morning and night with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. Remember, your oral health is just as important as any other aspect of health. Recognize the hard work dental hygienists are doing, especially during these times.
 
“Our team has been 100% behind the protocols set in place since we opened back up in May. Our providers do everything they can to make sure our patients feel safe when visiting MCHD Dentistry,” she added. “We want you and your family to feel safe coming in to get your teeth cleaned and examined, as we know that a person’s oral health is connected to overall health.”
 
Call MCHD Dentistry at 304-598-5108 to schedule an appointment.

How many Americans would you guess suffer from hunger and malnutrition? Maybe a similar amount to the population of New York City, roughly 9 million. Or possibly even as many people who reside in Florida, which is home to approximately 21 million people. 

Unfortunately, both of these guesses are significantly fewer than the number of Americans who suffer from hunger, which Feeding America reports is more than 35 million. To put that in perspective, that’s more people than Texas’s entire population, the second most populated state in America. 

Malnutrition Awareness Week was observed earlier this month, driving home the importance of focusing on nutrition daily, especially with how prominent malnutrition is here in West Virginia. 

Out of the 35 million Americans who suffer from hunger and malnutrition, 250,600 are West Virginians. With a population of 1.8 million, this means that roughly 14% of West Virginians are food insecure and malnourished. 

However, malnutrition does not only affect those who suffer from hunger. Malnutrition also affects individuals who are eating, but not the right food. A poor diet deficient in vitamins, protein, dairy and other essential nutrients also leaves one malnourished.  

There are several contributing factors as to why the number of malnourished Americans is so high. Monongalia County Health Department is home to the federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in six counties, including Monongalia County.

MCHD WIC nutritionist Jason Nguyen points out that two of the main factors of malnutrition in the area are the expense and accessibility to healthy and nutritious foods. 

The high expense of healthy, nutrient-packed foods is no secret. For instance, a pound of organic chicken breast at a supermarket is almost $8, but an eight-pack of hot pockets only costs $3.42. Although the chicken breast is healthier and more nutritious, the pack of hot pockets contains much more food and is over 50% cheaper, Nguyen noted. 

With these kinds of costs and quantities being standard in America, it is clear why the country has such a large number of malnourished people. 

Unfortunately, continued malnutrition from both hunger and poor diets can lead to a slew of short and long-term health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health problems from malnutrition include mental health decline, anemia, poor eyesight, weak immune systems, brittle bones, delayed cognitive development and abilities, poor digestion health, diabetes, heart problems and more. 

These are some scary health ailments to deal with at the cost of malnutrition, so let’s discuss a diet that would prevent such health problems. Harvard’s School of Public Health  suggests a diet rich in… 

Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and veggies are a great way to provide your body with a lot of vitamins, nutrients, and natural sugars. Keep in mind that each kind of fruit and vegetable offers different vitamins and nutrients, so try to get a variety of these foods daily. A great way to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients produce has to offer is by trying to get something from every color of the rainbow.

Whole Grains: Whole grains are chalked full of fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, healthy fats and even protein. With such great benefits to whole grains, it’s imperative to add them to your diet. Many of your favorite foods probably have a whole wheat substitute, which is a healthy and easy switch. Whole wheat bread, pasta, popcorn and even Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. 

Protein: Protein is a vital part of one’s diet, as it provides essential nutrients that keep your bones, muscle, skin, hair, brain and practically everything else in your body powered up and healthy. Lean meats like chicken, turkey and fish are great ways to get your daily protein intake, along with nuts, seeds, Greek yogurt, tofu, eggs, beans and more.

Calcium: Calcium is extremely important for keeping strong bones, teeth and an overall healthy body. Some great foods to consume to maintain a healthy calcium intake are Greek yogurt, skim milk, kale, spinach and soy.

Healthy Fats: Understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats can sometimes be tricky. Typically, you’ll want to avoid trans fats and focus your fat intake on unsaturated fats. Trans fats are often found in processed food and hydrogenated oils. Unsaturated fats can be found in vegetable oils (sunflower, soy, olive, etc.,) nuts, seeds and fish, which are all great forms of healthy fats. 

Like we talked about before, eating healthy can often be pricey. So, how can we eat healthy on a budget?

● Eat at home. Avoiding fast foods and restaurants is great for your physical and financial health.
● Grow a garden. MCHD WIC nutritionist Jason Nguyen recommends starting a home garden, which is sure to save some money at the store. So, grab some seeds and soil and create your own produce aisle at home. 
● Avoid unhealthy foods at the grocery store. The less you spend on chips and ice cream, the more room you’ll have in your stomach and budget for those nutrient-packed foods. 
● Buy generic brands. Most grocery stores have a generic brand of healthy foods. Visit your favorite grocer to see what they have.
● Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk is always cheaper. Although the price and size may look a bit daunting at first, you’re paying less for each serving than you would be otherwise. 
● Use coupons. There’s no shame in the coupon game! Give your kiddos the task of cutting out the coupons for your favorite nutritious products. They’ll love having a project, and you’ll love all the money you save.    

As the COVID-19 pandemic moves into the colder weather, health officials are waiting to see what that means for the upcoming influenza season.

Will there be a twindemic? Or will all of the mask wearing and social distancing pay off by giving us a lighter flu season? 

Either way, it’s always best to be prepared. There isn’t an available COVID-19 vaccine yet, but you can get one that will help prevent flu. 

Dr. Diane Gross, Monongalia County Health Department’s regional epidemiologist, points out that there is more than one reason that getting a flu vaccine is especially important now that COVID is a factor.

One, she notes, “Flu can kill you.” While it’s true that COVID-19 has proven to be deadlier than seasonal flu, a case of influenza can be deadly, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. 

You also don’t want to feel fatigue, body aches and other symptoms and wonder if you have COVID or the flu. 

Being co-infected with both COVID and the flu also would be a miserable and dangerous combination. 

And if you need to go to see a doctor or to be hospitalized, that can be problematic for two reasons. You’re leaving the protective bubble of your home. Plus, if this turns out to be a bad flu season, hospitals would be even more at risk of being overwhelmed. “It’s the same resources, including beds and respirators,” Dr. Gross noted. 

During the 2019-2020 influenza season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that influenza was associated with 38 million illnesses, 18 million medical visits, 405,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths. 

COVID-19 has proven to be deadlier, with 211,000-plus deaths in the United States in less than nine months.

Still, influenza needs to be taken seriously.

Getting a flu vaccine at Monongalia County Health Department’s Clinical Services is a very safe procedure. After making an appointment by calling 304-598-5119, patients will come to the front entrance at the top of the health department and call the number on the door. When it’s time for the vaccine, the masked patient will be greeted at the door, undergo a temperature check and be escorted to a room. 

It’s quick, easy and pretty painless. 

Insurance can be billed for the vaccine. Otherwise, it costs $25. MCHD Clinical Services also has high-dose vaccines that are recommended for anyone 65 and older. 
October is considered the sweet spot — the ideal time frame — by MCHD’s public health nurses for people to be inoculated against the flu.

Any earlier, and you risk your protection waning before flu season is over. In West Virginia, flu can last until April and sometimes even May. It takes about two weeks for a flu shot to become fully effective, so you don’t want to wait too long.

That said, at MCHD Clinical Services, we also like to say it’s never too late to get your flu shot, even if it’s December or January. But you’re risking getting the flu during that time period. 

The CDC notes that flu activity is low right now. But that could change. 

It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. Children, older people and those with conditions that compromise their immune system are especially vulnerable to flu and should be inoculated. Pregnant women should be vaccinated to protect themselves as well as their unborn babies, who will not be able to receive protection until they are 6 months old. 

And some of the habits developed or honed during the COVID pandemic are helpful during flu season. Wash your hands. If you get sick, stay home from work. If you really need to seek medical attention, do so, either to get antivirals or if you develop a secondary infection that could require antibiotics. But otherwise, the cure for flu without complications is generally rest, fluids and time. Antibiotics do not help you recover from a flu virus.
​
Please consider scheduling your flu vaccine now. You can get one at your doctor’s office or at MCHD Clinical Services. Once again, call 304-598-5119 to make an appointment.

​“Know that you are not alone, and even the most knowledgeable and educated people right now are struggling to adjust to everything that’s going on,” said Mark Liptrap in an interview on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Liptrap is a social worker and substance abuse specialist for Monongalia County Health Department. His services are available for individuals with substance use issues who qualify, via a recent grant to the Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT). 

Funded through a grant obtained by MCHD, the Monongalia County QRT is coordinated effort between MCHD, law enforcement, first responders, MECCA 911, peer recovery coaches (PRCs) from WV Sober Living and others to connect individuals who overdose to treatment.  

But these can be difficult times for just about everyone. 

“We all go through some anxiety or depression when we deal with the typical unknowns of life,” Liptrap said. 

His words ring especially true during Mental Illness Awareness Week, observed from Oct. 4-10. Promoted by Mental Health America, this week emphasizes the importance of seeking treatment and supporting others. 

COVID-19’s effect on mental health has scientists concerned, though the impact has yet to be fully realized.

Liptrap agrees that maintaining good mental health has become even more important due to COVID-19. These are times where we are not as connected and are socializing less, he said. “People are struggling with just about every area.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pandemics can cause excessive stress and anxiety that change how people function in daily life. If left unchecked, depression can set in. Increases in tobacco, alcohol and other substance usage has also been documented. The CDC offers tips for anyone dealing with stress or mental health issues, including related to the pandemic.

Reaching out for help may be a challenge for some. The CDC identifies stigma as a significant negative impact on mental health. The organization suggests community members and health officials always focus on open communication and treatment advice. 

“There may always be an element of stigma associated with mental health, and I think it comes from gender roles. The variety of differences in everyone make us more or less willing to seek treatment,” Liptrap said.

One subset of the population Liptrap believes may be suffering more is those struggling with substance use disorders. Many recovery programs either shut down or transitioned to online services.

“Camaraderie and social interaction are very important… and not having that connection now is a big struggle,” he explained. 

As mask-requirements and social distancing orders remain in many states, mental health is being monitored by social workers and psychologists alike.

Liptrap closed by saying that, “We need to try and focus on anti-stigma campaigns. We’ve done a good job these past few decades, however we do seem to live in a society where it’s not as accepted as medical conditions. Mental health is still health, and it does impact our well-being.” 

Call or email Mark Liptrap about appointments at 304-598-5160 or Mark.A.Liptrap@wv.gov.