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avvya yavvy eniioor iorn or y io iori by Jim Miller Coronavirus Versus Flu: How to Tell the Difference Dear Savvy Senior, Can you explain the diff erences between the coronavirus and seasonal fl u? I’m 70-years-old, and usually get a standard fl u shot, but would like to fi nd out what else I can do to protect myself this winter. Worried Senior Dear Worried, Great question! Because of the dual danger of Infl uenza (fl u) and COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned that this fall and winter could be the worst ever for public health. Understanding this, knowing the diff erences and similarities between the viruses, and knowing what you can do to protect yourself is the best way to stay healthy and safe through this diffi cult time. Flu vs COVID Because many of the symptoms of fl u and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the diff erence between them based on symptoms alone, so testing may be needed to help confi rm a diagnosis. With that said, here are some similarities and differences you should know. For starters, seasonal fl u symptoms come on pretty quickly, whereas COVID-19 develops gradually over a period of a few days and then either fades out or gets worse. Common shared symptoms include fever, sore throat, muscle aches, cough, headache, fatigue and even chest pain. Pinkeye and a dry cough are associated with COVID-19, while it’s now thought that a fever is more likely with the fl u, as are diarrhea and nausea. Many people are having their temperatures taken these days before entering public spaces. But fever occurs in only half of COVID-19 cases. Fever does not rule out COVID-19, but the absence of fever makes fl u unlikely. You’re also unlikely to have a runny or stuff y nose with the fl u, but you may with COVID-19. What sometimes happens within the nose with COVID-19 is loss of smell and, often as a consequence, loss of taste, too. To learn more about the similarities and diff erences between fl u and COVID-19, visit the CDC website at CDC.gov/fl u/symptoms/fl u-vs-covid19.htm. How to Protect Yourself While there is currently no vaccine available yet to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. So, stay home as much as you can. If you have to go out, wear a mask and keep at least 6 feet away from other people. And every time you come home, wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. There’s also evidence that suggests that people who are defi cient in vitamin D may be at higher risk of getting COVID-19, than those with suffi cient levels. So, make sure you take in around 800 to 1,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D from food or supplements daily, and get outside as much as you can. To help guard against the fl u this year, you should consider getting a fl u shot that’s specifi cally designed for people 65 and older. The “Fluzone High Dose Quadrivalent” or the “FLUAD Quadrivalent” are the two options that provide extra protection beyond what a standard fl u shot off ers. You only need one fl u shot, and if you haven’t already gotten it, you should do it now because takes up to two weeks to build immunity after you receive it. Pneumonia Vaccines If you haven’t been vaccinated for pneumonia, you should also consider getting the pneumococcal vaccines. Both fl u and COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia, which hospitalizes around 250,000 Americans, and kills around 50,000 people each year. But these numbers could be much higher this year. The CDC recommends that all seniors, 65 or older, get two vaccinations – Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. Both vaccines, which are administered one year apart, protect against diff erent strains of the bacteria to provide maximum protection. Medicare Part B covers both fl u and pneumonia shots. To locate a vaccination site that off ers any of these shots, visit VaccineFinder.org and type in your location. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 2, 2020 ROLL CALL | FROM PAGE 18 MBTA. The Senate version diff ered from the House version which does not create a brand-new MBTA board but instead extends and expands the existing Fiscal and Management Control Board. The House and Senate changed their minds and reached an agreement to reduce the road and bridge funding to $200 million and to keep the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board in place for another year. Supporters of the reduction say that, in retrospect, the state cannot aff ord the extra $100 million while state revenues are down by billions of dollar Despite repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call, House Transportation Committee chair Rep. Bill Strauss (D-Mattapoisett) and Senate chair Joseph Boncore (D-Winthrop) did not rePage 19 spond when asked to explain why they both championed the original $300 million and then supported the reduction to $200 million. The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) expressed mixed feelings. “On behalf of cities and towns, we are glad that the Chapter 90 bond bill has been enacted, so that communities can access desperately needed funds to repair and rebuild local roadways,” said MMA Executive Director and CEO Geoff Beckwith. “However, our members are understandably disappointed that the funding level remains fl at at $200 million, rather than the $300 million amount that representatives and senators voted to support earlier in the process. MMA will continue to advocate for an increase in Chapter 90 road funds, so that communities can adequately maintain 30,000 miles of local roads.” ~ PUBLIC NOTICE~ Everett Public Schools Public Release Statement The Everett Public Schools is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) as part of the National School Lunch Program for the 2020-2021 school year. Under this provision, schools provide free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled in the Everett Public Schools through the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Household income applications are not required to determine eligibility for school meals at schools participating in CEP. Daily school meals for students completing eEducation remotely will be available for pick up at select sites in Everett. Please visit https://www.everettpublicschools.org/ for details on pick up locations and times. For additional information please contact Charles Obremski at 617-394-2400 121 Vine Street, Everett, MA 02149 USDA Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. October 2, 2020 (A "Yes" vote is for the $200 million). Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE BY MAIL (H 4820) House 155-1, Senate 39-0, approved a bill that would direct Secretary of State Bill Galvin to send applications for a mail-in ballot to every registered voter by July 15 for the September 1 primary and by September 14 for the November 3 general election. The bill also includes expanded in-person early voting options prior to the elections. Voters who wish to vote in person are given seven days (from August 22 to August 28) to vote early in the primary and 14 days (from October 17 to October 30) to vote early in the ROLL CALL | SEE PAGE 23

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