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COVID-19

This fall, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals announced that it would be conducting a comprehensive campaign across the country to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among direct support professionals. This initiative is part of a cooperative agreement with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During this year-long campaign, NADSP is launching a variety of outreach activities including fact sheets, blogs, podcasts, and the production of public service announcements (PSAs).

In November, NADSP’s Director of Educational Services, John Raffaele, worked with filmmaker Jerry Smith and producer Pete McCauley of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota to capture some important and thought-provoking conversations.

This video is the first of many PSAs featuring DSPs, family members, and people receiving supports who shared varying perspectives on COVID-19 vaccination. Uwvie Obodo, a direct support professional at the Center for Family Support  in New York City, shares his experience below.

To learn more about John’s experiences during the first phase of filming, and the new insight he gained into why 26% of DSPs remain unvaccinated, visit the “Read More” section.


COVID-19 Webinars

Since the onset of COVID-19, NADSP has hosted a number of webinars about the pandemic — specifically covering its relationship to the role and responsibilities of direct support professionals.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is sharing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on safe ways to celebrate the holidays. Currently across the United States, an increase in COVID-19 infections is being reported. Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant of concern, is highly contagious, was first detected last month, and has now been reported in 89 countries. As of December 20, 2021, Omicron has been detected in most states and territories and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases it is causing.

Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.

The CDC reminds us of the tools to fight Omicron:

Vaccines

  • Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.
  • Scientists are currently investigating Omicron, including how protected fully vaccinated people will be against infection, hospitalization, and death.
  • CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated.
  • CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 years and older should get a booster shot at least two months after their initial J&J/Janssen vaccine or six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.

Masks

  • Masks offer protection against all variants.
  • CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.
  • CDC provides advice about masks for people who want to learn more about what type of mask is right for them depending on their circumstances.

Testing

  • Tests can tell you if you are currently infected with COVID-19.
  • Two types of tests are used to test for current infection: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. NAAT and antigen tests can only tell you if you have a current infection.
  • Additional tests would be needed to determine if your infection was caused by Omicron.
  • Self Testing for Individuals Living in a Private Home:
    • Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results.
    • If the self-test has a positive result, stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you have contact with others, and call your healthcare provider.
    • If you have any questions about your self-test result, call your healthcare provider or public health department.

Message from Gibbel Kraybill & Hess LLP:

On Friday evening, the Sixth Circuit lifted the stay on OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The ETS states that any employer with more than 100 employees must require its employees to either show proof of a COVID vaccination or submit to weekly testing and mask at all times when indoors. In the absence of a Supreme Court ruling to the contrary, the ETS will go into effect, and employers will be required to adhere to its standards. Read the article here.

GKH attorneys are closely monitoring the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to post updates and resources for individuals and businesses.

View Resources Here