If you are beginning to do some spring cleaning a new Lake County Veterans Thrift store opened to benefit homeless Vets may be your answer to what to do with those old items you no longer need. They willingly will pick-up those old items for which you no longer have use.

Rt.66Veterans

This is a new store to get more donations for Vets who are homeless and otherwise in need of help. The store contact number 847-360-0678 is the one to use to arrange for a pick-up of your items, or you can email them at rt66vets@aol.com . They will leave a tax-deduction slip for your use for your 2010 taxes.

This is a good way to help others with items you no longer need, and a good cause for those who have protected us and our way of life.

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers:

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United   States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.  However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.
• Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR  ADDRESS.

• While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.
• The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations.  Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
• AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION..  No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
• Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the  Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more information see this verification link on Snoops.com http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity/census.asp

Your newly appointed Safety and Security Commission, chaired by Jan Pink has been reviewing H1N1 virus information for the past six weeks and has had many conversations with businesses, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lake County and local health care centers. These efforts were expended to determine a readiness plan for Mettawa residents.

Throughout the commission’s evaluation was the question of how best to prepare Mettawa residents. Should Mettawa government arrange to offer flu shots, buy masks or simply communicate the best information on the swine flu to residents? After many hours of evaluation and consultation from health organizations, the commission decided that a communication to residents was the best overall outcome. The following overview of the situation created by this Commission and is now available to you.

O To access the latest news on the H1N1 /Swine Flu topic… go to Lake County Health page: http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/H1N1.htm or the CDC web-site http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm

O Flu activity is increasing in most of the United States with more than half of all states reporting widespread influenza activity.

· Twenty-six states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington) are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time.

· Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far is 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses.

· CDC anticipates that 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses will co-circulate with regular seasonal influenza viruses over our influenza season.

· The timing, spread and severity of the 2009 H1N1 virus – in addition to our regular seasonal influenza viruses – are uncertain.

O CDC recommends a three-step approach to fighting the flu: 1)vaccination; 2)everyday preventive actions including covering coughs, frequent hand washing, and staying home when sick, and; 3) the correct use of antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine

O From the CDC……Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They can also prevent serious flu complications.

· For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started within the first 2 days of symptoms.

· It’s important to remember that most people sick with 2009 H1N1 influenza have recovered without medical care or antiviral drugs, and the same is true of seasonal flu.

· The priority use for antiviral drugs this season is to treat people who are very sick (hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu-like symptoms and who are at increased risk of serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, very young children, people 65 and older and people with chronic health conditions.

· The types and frequencies of side effects from the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will likely be similar to those experienced following seasonal influenza vaccines which are mild, localized reactions

o The CDC and FDA closely monitors the safety of all vaccines licensed for use in the United States including seasonal influenza vaccines in cooperation with state and local health departments, healthcare providers, and other partners. Additional special monitoring is occurring to assure that any rare side effects of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine detected as soon as possible.

· Some vaccines contain “adjuvants,” which are ingredients that help boost the vaccine’s potency. As a result, a smaller amount of vaccine is needed per person, and therefore, the vaccine supply can be used to reach more people.

o This includes all of the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccines that will be available for children and adults in both the injectable and nasal spray formulations. None of these influenza vaccines that will be used in the U.S. during the 2009-10 season will contain adjuvants.

o Studies of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines with adjuvants are being conducted to determine if 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines with adjuvants meet safety and efficacy requirements for use in the United States.

· On September 24, 2009, the FDA issued a Public Health Alert to notify prescribers and pharmacists about potential dosing errors with Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for Oral Suspension see for more information: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm183714.htm

O States will be able to place their first orders for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. Approximately 3 million doses of vaccine are expected to be available for ordering at that time.

O It is important to keep in mind that while some doses of vaccine will be distributed beginning the first week of October, initial supplies are small and it will take several days for those doses to reach clinics and doctors’ offices. 

O During the upcoming weeks more vaccine will be available to the public in more places.  The CDC expects 10 to 20 million doses of vaccine to be available for distribution each week after the first week in October. The federal government has purchased enough products to provide a total of 250 million doses. These initial doses will be administered first to Priority 1 Groups

o Pregnant women

o health care workers, EMT workers and care givers

o persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months

o 6 months old to 24 years of age who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

o 24-64 with underlying conditions

O It is likely that children younger than 10 years will need two doses of the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. This is slightly different from CDC’s recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination which state that children younger than 9 who are being vaccinated against influenza for the first time need to receive two doses.  Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

· CDC recommends that the two doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be separated by 4 weeks. However, if the second dose is separated from the first dose by at least 21 days, the second dose can be considered valid.

· The national vaccine program will be voluntary. Those interested in vaccination for themselves or their children will receive accurate information about the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine and the vaccine’s benefits and risks so they can make an informed decision.

· Younger people are more likely to get infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus than those 65 years and older. Therefore, younger persons are recommended to receive the first available doses of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine before persons 65 years and older.

· While people 65 and older aren’t included in the high risk groups to be prioritized for the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination, they can get the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine as soon as the high-risk groups have had the opportunity to be vaccinated and should not delay in seeking medical treatment if they develop symptoms of influenza.

o 60+ are not in the Priority 1 Group because it is thought that many in this age group may have been exposed to a previous strain of Swine Flu that was around between 1918 and 1957. Those who contracted the swine flu then could be immune to the 2009 strain, but this has not been well researched.

o CDC’s priority for people 65 and older is to have them get their seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as it is available.

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

O It has been reported in the Canadian media to the CDC that research conducted in Canada suggests that getting a seasonal flu vaccine may increase a person’s risk for getting 2009 H1N1 influenza.  The research has not been published and thus CDC has not had the opportunity to review it formally.

o The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not seen this effect in systems they have reviewed in the United States.  Data collected in Australia also does not suggest that receipt of seasonal influenza vaccine influences the risk of 2009 H1N1 infection.

o CDC continues to recommend seasonal flu vaccination.  Currently the vast majority of influenza being reported to CDC is 2009 influenza A (H1N1).  However, influenza is very unpredictable and an increasing amount seasonal flu may circulate at any point in the season.

O Seasonal flu vaccine is now available in many locations.  CDC encourages individuals to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their community.

O Seasonal Flu Vaccine & People age 65 and over

o People age 65 years and over are at increased risk for complications from seasonal influenza and are recommended for annual seasonal flu vaccines. This year is no exception.

o CDC’s priority for people 65 and older is to have them get their seasonal flu vaccine first, before the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is available.

On behalf of the Safety and Security Commission

Jan Pink Chair

Dr. Rick Kennison Vice-Chair

Roberta Bohm

Diane Roth

Alan Shidler

Mettawa Pavement Patching

The Mettawa pavement patching program is underway. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of November.