Category: Health

Fifteen global shipping companies slowed cargo ships for 99,000 nautical miles in 2019 program off California coast to protect blue whales and blue skies

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The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect endangered whales announced results from the 2019 program and recognized the 15 shipping companies that participated, reducing speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Santa Barbara Channel region. The voluntary incentive program ran May 15, 2019 through November 15, 2019. Partners hope to further recognize the companies at a ceremony at the Port of Hueneme later this year, depending on public health guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

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EDC NEWS- New Funding Opportunity for Laid Off or Furloughed Workers

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In partnership with America’s Jobs Center, the Human Services Agency is offering supportive services funds for individuals up to $800 if your hours have been reduced or eliminated due to the economic impact of covid-19. Additional eligibility requirements apply. Priority will be given to English language learners, low income individuals and those with barriers to employment. 

Please see flyer below for more detail or call 805.204.5186 for more information. Due to a high volume of calls, please allow up to 48 hours for staff to contact you.

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United Way of Ventura County Rapid Response Kits

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We have 12 more days for the Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive!

We need 250 more care kits to reach our goal!

Join United Way of Ventura County in honoring the homeless veterans in Ventura County this Memorial Day by joining our COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits campaign, which aims to provide essential hygiene supplies for our unsheltered veterans and individuals. These vital kits will be distributed by our county’s Healthcare for the Homeless Backpack Medicine team.

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UCSB — The Current — (COVID-19) Sewage Surveillance

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May 21, 2020 Top News Sewage Surveillance Researchers are developing methods to monitor the COVID-19 virus through the community’s wastewater. Read More ? A Boon to Research Four graduate students have been awarded Fulbright Fellowships to pursue projects abroad. Read…

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 19 — COVID-19 Response Information: Testing

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Testing:  The County of Ventura has expanded testing throughout the county for residents who have the slightest suspicion of having COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with it. You will not be charged for the test, and you don’t need to have health insurance. You may be asked for insurance information if you have it. Three new drive up testing sites will be open Wednesday. 1) Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road in Ventura 2) Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd. Moorpark 3) Ford Dealership 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula. More information about the state testing sites and county clinics can be found in the attached pdf and at www.vcemergency.com.

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CSUCI announces first positive COVID-19 case

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) announced today that an employee had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The employee was physically on the campus within the last 14 days and has been in self-isolation at their residence.

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COVID-19 Notice — Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office Open by Appointment Only

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The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office is committed to public service and even during this challenging time, for complicated cases, we want to offer taxpayers the opportunity to speak directly to our staff while our office is closed.

Beginning Tuesday, May 19th, 2020, our office will be available by appointment only for cases requiring in-person assistance. In order to keep both the public and our staff safe during this COVID-19 Pandemic, we are able to provide appointments under the following requirements:

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CSUCI prepares for pandemic’s disproportionate impact on Latinx community

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Lessons from the Great Recession suggest that as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, the rules of the marketplace will have changed, and the impact will fall disproportionately on the Latinx community.

Circumstances many Latinx students faced when the pandemic hit may discourage them from staying in school when in fact, getting that college degree has never been more important.

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Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — More Testing and a Guide for Reopening

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Despite a large increase in the amount of testing, COVID-19 infections continue to be modest. During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors hearing, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Director presented the above graph, which indicates that new cases have continued to decline if you exclude the cases from the Lompoc Federal Correctional Institution. At the Board of Supervisors meeting this coming Tuesday, the Board will receive a presentation on the Reopening In Safe Environment (RISE) Guide, which builds off of the guidance from the Governor’s Resilience Roadmap but also provides local guidance and best practices for industry sectors as developed by an expert panel.

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Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA) Launches New Website

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The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA) has launched a new website to better serve its patrons.

The new website is user friendly with more information on each of its four markets including a list of all the farmers/vendors who participate with VCCFMA.

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Ventura County Public Health Dental Guidance

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Dental health care personnel (DHCP) are in the “very high-risk category” for exposure to SARS- CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC recommends postponing elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) put out guidance on May 7, 2020 for resuming selected dental services. This guidance relies on low community transmission rates and ample supplies of PPE at the county level.

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Helping Children Cope with COVID-19 Stress

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“Most of us would agree that this indescribable time of COVID-19 has been distressing and disturbing—which is the definition of trauma,” says Marriage & Family Therapist, De Rosenberry, who also manages the Senior Services program for Family Service Agency. 

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VCCCD Celebrates Class of 2020 Graduates

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With the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, this year’s graduates of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges have had to adjust to the fact that in-person graduation ceremonies have been canceled. Recognizing the impact of this change for students who have worked hard to achieve their goals, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) leadership collaborated with its three colleges to celebrate the 5,146 students in the class of 2020 who have earned their degrees or certificates.

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Hospice of Santa Barbara Takes Part in Delivering 120 Lunches to Local Seniors

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As a way to give back to our community in this time of need, Shalhoob’s and Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) delivered 120 meals from Shalhoob’s to the senior living complex Village Santa Fe Apartments, a Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara property. Hospice of Santa Barbara provided 12 volunteers who helped pack and deliver the meals donated by Shalhoob’s. 

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Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter – May 15, 2020

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What we define as “livable” has now changed, of necessity, but what does this hold for the future?  In our first article, Kerry Roscoe takes a moment to think about the positives and negatives ahead of us.

Our next article takes a new look at the Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) movement.  Each of us may have our own definition of what we think a NIMBY is or is not, but I would bet that few, if any, would define a NYMBY as Alan Durning has in his February 2020 article entitled KNOW THINE NIMBY.  Because the negative impact of NIMBY entrenchment is so strong, housing advocates need to better understand who we are addressing during debates regarding new housing. 

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California Office of Emergency Services Awards Coalition For Family Harmony $150,000 Grant

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The California Office of Emergency Services awarded the Coalition for Family Harmony a $150,000 grant to provide empirically-based domestic violence prevention support programming to couples from Latinx/Spanish-speaking populations in Ventura County.

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Jackson Bill to Require Backup Power for Nursing Homes Passes Health Committee

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As California faces another wildfire season and potential public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara)’s Senate Bill 1207 to require California nursing homes to have backup power for at least 96 hours during an emergency passed unanimously out of Senate Health Committee today on a 7 to 0 vote.

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How your United Way of Ventura County is responding to COVID-19

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Over the past few months, COVID-19 has reshaped our lives and priorities in powerful ways. Here at your United Way, we’ve been collaborating with our community partners and adapting how we provide services so that we can better respond to the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

In this moment of unprecedented uncertainty, we are incredibly thankful for our community partners, donors, and volunteers. They’ve stepped up to provide vital resources for our neighbors and friends who need it the most right now.

To learn more about how your local United Way is responding during this global pandemic, please take a moment to view my recent interview with OVTV.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 12 — Register your business to reopen at www.vcreopens.com

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Good Evening, Here’s your COVID-19 Update from the County of Ventura.

22 new cases
700 total cases
475
Recovered cases
25 hospitalized
13 in the ICU
204 under quarantine
21 deaths
Tune in at 1 pm on 5/13/20 at www.vcemergency.com for a video update.

Register your business to reopen at www.vcreopens.com.

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CLU School of Management — Design Thinking — Pre- and Post- COVID-19

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Learn how RKS Design, a globally recognized design and innovation consulting firm whose mission is to move people through design, is working through the COVID-19 crisis. Our guest speaker is Ravi Sawhney, founder and CEO of RKS Design and member of the Dean’s Executive Council at California Lutheran University’s School of Management. Mr. Sawhney will discuss personal and organizational strategies that have been employed, due to the crisis, at RKS Design. This short 45-minute webinar will include both a presentation by Mr. Sawhney and a Q&A session with our virtual audience, moderated by Dean Gerhard Apfelthaler.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 11 — No cost COVID-19 testing is available for all community members at two state testing sites

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Good Evening, Here is your COVID-19 update for May 11, 2020. Moving forward stats will be provided Monday through Friday. Stats from Saturday and Sunday will be included in the Monday report.

12 new cases

678 total cases

458 recovered cases

19 deaths

28 hospitalized

11 ICU patients

13, 715 tested

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Calls for New Approach to Agriculture: ‘Transitioning Away From Harmful Chemicals’

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Ventura County residents grateful for approval of restrictions

SAN FRANCISCO – California Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed all counties to tighten restrictions on pesticide spraying near homes, to protect children from toxic chemicals drifting from crop fields while they are homebound during the coronavirus pandemic. Newsome’s order signals a new approach to California agriculture regulation, calling for “transitioning away from harmful chemicals.”

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Peoples’ Self-Help Housing continuing ‘Building Together’ resident support program

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Building Together has been a tremendous success – thank you to everyone who has participated in this event! It has been so touching to read “what home means to you”; we know that this project has brought joy and comfort to so many.

Because of the ongoing impact, we have been asked to keep Building Together open ended. So, please keep submitting your wonderful entries and sending in your generous gifts in support of a PSHH resident facing a medical, food, or utility emergency.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 8 — The County of Ventura expanded testing throughout the County this week for essential workers and residents

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Good Evening, Here is your daily COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

View today’s video update at: https://vimeo.com/416539740.

By the numbers:

21 new cases

652 total cases

435 recovered cases

29 in the hospital

12 in the ICU

198 under quarantine

19 deaths

12, 863 tested

Testing The County of Ventura expanded testing throughout the County this week for essential workers and residents. You will not be charged for the test, and you do not need to have health insurance. There are two sites for essential workers and seven drive thru sites for all community members. Learn more at: https://vcportal.ventura.org/covid19/docs/2020-05-03_Covid19Testing_updated.pdf.

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SMJUHSD NO Cost breakfast and lunch meals provided for Santa Maria Valley Children 18 & Under

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MAY 11 – MAY 15, 2020
SANTA MARIA JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOLS
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
** Monday / Wednesday / Friday **
Meals for Tuesday will be given on Monday & Meals for Thursday will be given on Wednesday Ernest Righetti High – 941 E. Foster Rd
Pioneer Valley High – 675 Panther Dr.
Santa Maria High – Parking lot on Thornburg

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County of Ventura Moves to Stage 2 Reopening • El Condado avanzará con la Etapa 2 del estado de reapertura

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The County of Ventura has reached an important milestone for our community, County and our local economy. The Public Health Officer announced today a new modified Stay Well VC Health Order to align with the State of California’s four-stage framework for reopening. The County will move forward with the State’s Stage 2 of reopening lower-risk businesses on May 8, 2020. This will allow retail businesses, such as clothing stores, bookstores, sporting goods stores and florists, for example, to reopen with curb side delivery, as well as the related manufacturing and supply chain businesses.

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Amid COVID-19 School Closures, State Sen. Jackson Introduces Legislation to Expand Job Protected Leave for Parents

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As California schools remain shut down to slow the spread of COVID-19, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara), announced legislation on May 8 to expand job protected leave for working parents affected by school and childcare closures as a result of a declared federal, state, or local emergency.

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Santa Barbara County Food Rescue Network Expands to Offer Critical Support to Those In Need

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Santa Barbara County Food Rescue, a program of the Community Environmental Council (CEC), announces multiple collaborations to support county-wide efforts to feed those in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

Santa Barbara County Food Rescue matches donors that have excess, nutritious food with organizations serving food insecure populations. Since 2018, this CEC-led effort has coordinated the?rescue?of?nearly 60,000 pounds of edible prepared food?for?distribution?through?more than a dozen agencies,?including Buellton Senior Center, Casa Serena, PATH, and Salvation Army Hospitality House. Beyond helping people, food rescue mitigates climate impacts by keeping high-quality excess prepared food out of landfills, where it decomposes and emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 7 — Stay Well VC – Safely Reopening Ventura County

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The County of Ventura has reached an important milestone for our community, County and our local economy. The Public Health Officer announced today a new modified Stay Well VC Health Order to align with the State of California’s four-stage framework for reopening. The County will move forward with the State’s Stage 2 of reopening lower-risk businesses on May 8, 2020.  This will allow retail businesses, such as clothing stores, bookstores, sporting goods stores and florists, for example, to reopen with curb side delivery, as well as the related manufacturing and supply chain businesses.

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Southeast Ventura County National Day of Prayer Virtual Breakfast

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The Southeast Ventura County National Day of Prayer was supposed to take place today on the CLU campus. Instead, the Y brought together community members in a Prayer Breakfast video. Click here.

May 7, 2020 is the National Day of Prayer. Instead of our Annual Prayer Breakfast, we are excited to bring you this video with all of our speakers. We hope that it brings you encouragement and inspiration during this time. God bless you all and thank you for watching.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 6

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Good Evening, Here’s your daily COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

13 new cases

608 total cases

419 recovered cases

23 hospitalized

11 in the ICU

170 under quarantine

19 deaths

12,122 people tested

Today’s video update: https://vimeo.com/415735841.

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Port of Hueneme Family Fights through COVID-19

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Just as in person auto sales resume, the Port’s largest customers brace for an approximate 90% reduction in cargo over the next two months. Automobiles, the Port’s largest revenue generating commodity, will see reductions as manufacturers from Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, and Japan have been closed during most of April. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, auto manufactures in the United States and around the world have either halted production or switched to making ventilators to assist hospitals with demand.

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Local PODS® Moving and Storage Supports Community Heroes

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With the all too familiar stay-at-home orders, many local organizations like FOOD Share and local advocate Carolina G. Magana, are helping those who are food insecure. To support them during this crucial time, Local PODS® Moving and Storage are offering their services to help with food distribution throughout the county.

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Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces Shakira Miracle as First Executive Director

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The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) is proud to announce the selection of its first Executive Director, Shakira Miracle. Her hiring comes at a critical time when the strain and stress on our local food system is at an unprecedented high due to COVID-19.

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CSUCI Chemistry and Nursing students get more opportunity for hands-on experience with two separate grants

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Selected Nursing students and two outstanding CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Chemistry students will benefit from grants awarded to Associate Professor of Chemistry Ahmed Awad, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor of Nursing Charlene Niemi, R.N., Ph.D.

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County of Ventura Expanded COVID-19 Testing

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Community transmission of COVID-19 continues to occur in Ventura County. Testing for COVID-19 has expanded to multiple locations throughout the County. Any Ventura County resident who meets the following criteria may schedule an appointment for testing by calling a State Location or County’s Ambulatory Urgent Care-sponsored testing site hotline.

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Friendship Center — Giving Tuesday

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During Friendship Center’s closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are challenged to find creative ways to serve and support our senior community. The FC team is up for that challenge, but we need your help! In addition to hygiene and home activity supplies for our Take Care Totes, we are accepting monetary donations to fund virtual support for our sweet seniors and their families.  Thank you to all for any amount of support, be well and stay safe

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Updated parking along Pacific Coast Highway

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In order to continue the success of Ventura County flattening the COVID-19 curve, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, working in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, California State Parks, and Ventura County Parks Department, will be updating parking standards along northern and southern stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County.

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‘Coco’ Actors Thank Children for Helping Fight the Coronavirus, Encourage Them to Remain Vigilant

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Several actors from the movie “Coco”© have teamed up to send a “Thank you!” message to all the children who have stayed at home to slow down the spread of the deadly COVID-19. The artists recorded “We’re All In This Together,” a video that also asks kids to remain vigilant against the virus.

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State COVID-19 Case Rates and Pandemic Protection: A Metric for Decisions to Implement, Continue, or Relax Measures

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State and terrritorial governors have implemented pandemic protection measures in order to interrupt and slow down the passage of the coronavirus throughout each state’s population. Some of these measures are implemented at the individual level, such as wearing a facemask or maintaining social distance. The risk of transmission is much higher among crowds of people in close proximity, so another set of measures operates at the group level, trying to keep large groups from forming by keeping potential members dispersed.

“Romaine lettuce tainted with E. coli can be recalled or removed from grocery stores to prevent transmission,” said Paul Hsu, an epidemiologist at UCLA. “When someone is infected with coronavirus, we have to rearrange social contacts to interrupt that person-to-person transmission.” Crowds at sporting events, audiences at concerts, and students in classrooms have been dispersed by cancelling games, events, and classes.

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Coalition For Family Harmony Sees Increase In Crisis Calls To Its Hotline

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The Coalition for Family Harmony, which provides victims of family violence in Ventura County with the means to help escape from abuse, has seen a 10 to 15 percent increase in crisis calls to its hotline since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order took effect.

“Financial and emotional stresses are taking a toll. Victims are calling our hotline, fearful about staying in their home with an abuser but also worried about leaving and possibly being exposed to COVID-19,” says Dr. Caroline Prijatel-Sutton, Coalition For Family Harmony executive director. “They are in desperate situations.”

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VCCDC Community Matters Newsletter – May 2020

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Now, more than ever, VCCDC strives for this unifying vision. Even during these challenging times, homeownership is still considered to be a foundation for building financial stability. As we pivot to address the recent challenges in our communities, we will continue to empower and connect people through all our programs.

After conducting a recent survey, we found that some of our most affected neighbors are homeowners at risk of foreclosure and frustrated tenants who are struggling to pay rent with limited understanding of their options or fair housing laws. We have also noted that a fair number of senior homeowners have reached out to us, asking about their options with their current mortgages. As a result, we are renewing focus on foreclosure prevention counseling, tenant education and reverse mortgage counseling to address these critical issues.

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CSUCI study seeks surfer input on beach closures

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State and local efforts to stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic have left many American coast dwellers without beach access and surfers landlocked.

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management Dan Reineman, Ph.D., is investigating the social ramifications of beach and ocean access restrictions across the state of California and the nation by launching a nationwide survey aimed at the surfing community.

Reineman is asking surfers across the nation to participate in a survey: www.coastography.org/SADsurvey and share it with their surfing friends.

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Ventura County Animal Services: Suspended Pet Adoptions to be Reinstated in a Staged Approach Beginning May 2

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Ventura County Animal Services has received approval from Dr. Levin, Ventura County Public Health Officer, to reinstate pet adoptions on a limited basis at the Camarillo Animal Shelter.  This authorization applies only to pet adoptions — all other COVID-19 restrictions are still in effect.  All adoptions will be conducted by appointment only and the shelter still remains closed to the public for casual visitation.

On Saturday, May 2nd at 10:00am, VCAS will activate their online scheduling system for Adoption Counseling appointments and will begin scheduling these sessions starting Sunday, May 3rd.  

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 30

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Good Evening, Here’s your daily update on COVID-19 in the County of Ventura.

18 new cases
535 total cases
377 recovered cases
27 currently in the hospital (5 patients are long term care facility patients that do not need hospital care but are being cared for in the hospital setting to protect other long term care facility residents)
9 in the ICU
18 deaths (37-99; 9 males and 9 females)
9,962 people tested

Press Conference: Here’s an update from 4/29/20 https://vimeo.com/413333237. Tune in tomorrow at 1 pm for the Friday update. Streamed live on www.vcemergency.com.

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Moorpark College Nursing Science Program Students  Excel

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Moorpark College Nursing Science program faculty members diligently prepare their graduates to enter the challenging and rewarding field of nursing. As proof of the students’ preparedness, the Fall 2019 class had a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam. The national average pass rate for first-time test-takers is 83.5 percent.

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Bilingual report: CenCal Health Procures PPE for Central Coast Hospitals, Clinics

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CenCal Health, the publicly-sponsored health plan for Medi-Cal in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, has procured and is now in the process of delivering 100,000 disposable face masks, 100,000 disposable gloves and 20,000 protective gowns in order to protect and support local healthcare workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 29

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Chief Deputy Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency Barry Zimmerman provided an update on testing this week. View the update here. The County of Ventura is focused on the ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating and supporting those who are positive or exposed. These steps are critical on the path to reopening.

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Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Good news, expanded testing begins next week

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Good news, expanded testing begins next week, see below for details. Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the State’s plan to reopen the economy in four stages:

Stage 1: Improving testing and tracing, procuring personal protective equipment and ensuring hospital surge capacity.

Stage 2: Opening, with adaptations, school and child care facilities and lower-risk workplaces like retail stores, manufacturers and offices. Park and trail restrictions will also be loosened.

Stage 3: Opening higher-risk workplaces, like gyms, nail and hair salons, movie theaters, sports without live audiences and churches.

Stage 4: End of the stay-at-home order; reopen highest-risk workplaces, like concerts, convention centers and live-audience sports. 

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VCOE Statement on Potential Early Reopening of School Campuses

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The California Department of Education on April 29 announced it is studying options for reopening school campuses after Governor Newsom suggested they could open as early as July or August. Many questions remain about the safety, fiscal and labor implications of reopening campuses before the traditional start of the next school year. For now, there has been no alteration to existing school calendars.

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Santa Barbara County Nonprofits Collaborate to Meet Critical Needs of Isolated Seniors During COVID-19

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Many of our older community members, particularly those living alone, are not receiving the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic. To address this gap, several nonprofits in Santa Barbara County have collaborated to identify isolated seniors and connect them to essential services or critical needs, such as food and supplies.

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UC Santa Barbara — The Current — A communication scholar explores the use of entertainment media as therapy for stress, anxiety and hopelessness

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The Doctor Is On

A communication scholar explores the use of entertainment media as therapy for stress, anxiety and hopelessness.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 28

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Good Evening Ventura County, Here’s your daily update on COVID-19 in the County of Ventura:

5 new cases
135 current cases
508 total cases
356 recovered cases
26 hospitalized (5 patients are long term care facility patients not in need of hospital care but being cared for at the hospital to protect others at long term care facilities)
11 in the ICU
17 deaths: age range 37-99 years; 9 males and 8 females.

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County awarded $50,000 from Weingart Foundation in support of affordable workforce housing

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) has been named as one of 29 grantees receiving funding support from Weingart Foundation through their Unrestricted Operating Support (U.O.S.) program. Housing Trust Fund VC will receive $50,000 over two years to help with capacity building in support of the Fund’s overall mission to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle.

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Registered nurse on the front lines against COVID-19 got her start at SBCC

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Kaitlin Shipley always knew she wanted to work in the healthcare field. After working as a medical assistant for several years after high school, she enrolled in the nursing program at Santa Barbara City College, graduating in 2019 with an associate degree in nursing. Fast forward less than one year, Kaitlin finds herself donning protective gear to enter the isolation room at Lompoc Valley Medical Center as one of the local heroes in the battle against COVID-19.

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