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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024 Page 27 BEACON | FROM PAGE 26 sor Public Health Care chair Sen. Julian Cyr. “Allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense PrEP on a short-term basis, similar to what’s already allowed for contraceptives, would signifi cantly increase the accessibility of this essential HIV prevention tool. With greater access to PrEP we can narrow the gap in PrEP utilization among LGBTQ+ people of color. I am someone who uses PrEP and most of my gay, bisexual and queer friends rely on it too. With this legislation, we are once again putting people at the center of our public health policy. I’m thrilled it has passed the Senate.” “When someone is ready to begin PrEP, it is crucial that they are able to [do so] as soon as possible,” said Carrie Richgels, Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Fenway Health. “At Fenway Health, we regularly work to overcome barriers that patients face due to trauma, stigma and discrimination. We know from experience that to overcome these obstacles we must meet people where they are and build trust. Trust is essential to getting people on PrEP, and a local pharmacy can provide a lower threshold of access and can be a trusted access point for those who may face discrimination in traditional healthcare settings.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL FRESHMAN ORIENTATION– BACK TO SCHOOL – Twenty-two newly elected state legislators, including 19 representatives-elect and three senators-elect, attended the biennial New Legislator Academy at UMass Amherst, which Senate President Karen Spilka’s offi ce has described as “an opportunity for newly elected legislators to become familiar with experiences that they will encounter in the Legislature.” According to the State House News Service, the agenda included nearly a dozen panels, speeches and sessions, covering topics such as the budgeting process, ethics and the cadence of legislative sessions. According to Politico, a session on the media included “the recommendation that if a reporter calls, let it go to voicemail, or wait for them to send a text; fi nd out what they’re calling about before you answer; and let leadership know what’s up – their offi ce may be fi elding the same questions.” COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSES (H 5139) – The House approved and sent to the Senate a new version of legislation, originally sponsored by Gov. Maura Healey, that would prevent commercial drivers from losing their licenses due to passenger vehicle off enses they committed prior to September 30, 2005. The Registry of Motor Vehicles recently notifi ed hundreds of bus and truck drivers that they were ineligible for commercial licenses due to at least two past major off enses, blindsiding many motorists who for years thought their infractions were behind them. “Over time, the relevance and predictive value of these older offenses has diminished, particularly for those drivers who have remained offense-free since,” said Healey. “In most circumstances, a commercial driver who meets the safety requirements of federal law should not be disqualified from driving due solely to passenger vehicle off enses that occurred 19 or more years ago. She noted her bill would remove consideration of pre-September 30, 2005 passenger vehicle off enses from our disqualifi cation law, except for multiple instances of operating under the infl uence. $3.2 MILLION FOR MASSACHUSETTS COASTAL COMMUNITIES – The Healey Administration announced the awarding of $3.2 million in grants for projects that proponents say will support the economic vitality, tourism and ecosystem health of the Bay State’s waterfront and harbors, while helping the state reach its ambitious climate resiliency goals. “Coastal communities play a critical role in our economy,” said Gov. Healey. “The …. Grants help cities and towns make infrastructure improvements to prepare for extreme weather caused by climate change while also investing in important blue economy businesses, commercial fi shing operations and tourist and recreational enterprises.” “These investments will support a range of critical initiatives, from coastal resilience and dredging projects to pier infrastructure enhancements that protect our shorelines,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “By funding these eff orts, we’re ensuring a safer and more enduring future for our coasts from the North Shore to the Cape and Islands.” “Maritime communities are important centers of economic activity, drawing many visitors each year and supporting the coastal industries that have been integral to our state’s economy,” said Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba. “We are proud to fund these projects and look forward to their lasting impact on the future generations of these towns.” BAY STATE TO GET MORE THAN $55 MILLION FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Massachusetts will receive more than $55 million to purchase more than 200 zero-emission vehicles through its fi rst-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. The program will replace existing internal combustion engine heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, while also supporting the build out of clean vehicle infrastructure, as well as the training of workers to deploy these new zero-emission technologies. Recipients of the funds to replace current school buses with zero-emission vehicles include four school districts: $35 million for Boston; $6.6 million for Springfi eld; $2.9 million for Hingham; and $4.9 million for the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will receive $5.8 million to replace some vehicles with battery electric vehicles and install 16 Level 2 charging stations and eight direct current fast charger stations at eight sites. “Everyone deserves clean air and a healthy environment, and the … program is another step toward making that a reality,” said EPA Regional Administrator David Cash. “By replacing older, polluting vehicles, like school buses and box trucks, with zero-emission alternatives, this program is driving innovation in clean transporBEACON | SEE PAGE 28 S nior ior Be Wary of Winter Heart Attacks Sa nr Sa Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that people with heart problems need to be extra careful during the winter months because heart attacks are much more common. What can you tell me about this? AFib Alan Dear Alan, Everyone knows winter is cold and fl u season, but many don’t know that it’s also the prime season for heart attacks too, especially if you already have a heart condition or have suffered a previous heart attack. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you protect yourself. In the U.S., the risk of having a heart attack during the winter months is twice as high as it is during the summertime. Why? There are a number of factors, and they’re not all linked to cold weather. Even people who live in warm climates have an increased risk. Here are the areas you need to pay extra attention to this winter. Cold temperatures: When a person gets cold, the body responds by constricting the blood vessels to help the body maintain heat. This causes blood pressure to go up and makes the heart work harder. Cold temperatures can also increase levels of certain proteins that can thicken the blood and increase the risk for blood clots. So, stay warm this winter and when you do have to go outside, make sure you bundle up in layers with gloves and a hat, and place a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm up the air before you breathe it in. Snow shoveling: Studies have shown that heart attack rates jump dramatically in the first few days after a major snowstorm, usually a result of snow shoveling. Shoveling snow is a very strenuous activity that raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. Combine those factors with cold temperatures and the risks for heart attack surges. If your sidewalk or driveway needs shoveling this winter, hire a kid from the neighborhood to do it for you, or use a snow blower. Or, y Senior Senio by Jim Miller if you must shovel, push rather than lift the snow as much as possible, stay warm, and take frequent breaks. New Year’s resolutions: Every Jan. 1, millions of people join gyms or start exercise programs as part of their New Year’s resolution to get in shape, and many overexert themselves too soon. If you’re starting a new exercise program this winter, take the time to talk to your doctor about what types and how much exercise may be appropriate for you. Winter weight gain: People tend to eat and drink more and gain more weight during the holiday season and winter months, all of which are hard on the heart and risky for someone with heart disease. So, keep a watchful eye on your diet this winter and avoid binging on fatty foods and alcohol. Shorter days: Less daylight in the winter months can cause many people to develop “seasonal affective disorder” or SAD, a wintertime depression that can stress the heart. Studies have also looked at heart attack patients and found they usually have lower levels of vitamin D (which comes from sunlight) than people with healthy hearts. To boost your vitamin D this winter, consider taking a supplement that contains between 1,000 and 2,000 international units (IU) per day. Flu season: Studies show that people who get fl u shots have a lower heart attack risk. It’s known that the infl ammatory reaction set off by a fl u infection can increase blood clotting which can lead to heart attacks in vulnerable people. So, if you haven’t already done so this year, get a fl u shot and Covid-19 booster for protection. And, if you’ve never been vaccinated for RSV or pneumococcal pneumonia, you should consider getting these vaccines too. 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.

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