Most years, September at Mesa County Public Health means gearing up for influenza season and the standard fall flu immunization push. Needless to say, 2020 isn’t like most years. This year, there are two significant respiratory illnesses to consider — flu and COVID-19 — as MCPH works to protect the health of residents. Instead of […]
The return of restaurant dining offers an encouraging sign of life for the Mesa County economy. Many restaurants have ramped up their takeout and delivery business during the stay at home order issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic But the low rate of positive COVID-19 cases and a willingness to adhere to safety measures […]
What makes a community thrive? According to the speakers who’ll participate in the Community Impact Council’s upcoming State of the Community events, connectedness is at the heart. The Community Impact Council is a coalition of business, government and nonprofit organizations that support the nonprofit community in Mesa County through advocacy, education, networking and training. A […]
When you think of public health, what comes to mind? A place to get a flu shot or pick up a birth certificate? Perhaps you recall seeing an official-looking document hanging in a business and think of public health as the inspectors who ensure restaurants, pools and other public places operate safely. But what about […]
It’s graduation season and with it comes a new cohort of high school and college graduates joining the work force. Last year, a total of about 2,600 students graduated from Mesa County District 51 high schools and Colorado Mesa University. This year marks the first big wave of Generation Z, defined by the Pew Research […]
Not long ago I was talking with a friend about the difficult experience of trying to find care for her elderly father, whose dementia had progressed to the point he could no longer be left alone. It was time-intensive and emotionally draining. With a full-time job and children still at home, she felt overwhelmed. As […]
The month of December can seem like a hole in the workplace calendar. Standing meetings are canceled and colleagues are out of the office. Unless you’re in the retail or restaurant business, productivity is likely to take a dip. But those same challenges of absenteeism and diminished productivity also could be indicators of loneliness and […]
After a dry summer that seemed like it might never end, some of us welcome fall weather with more enthusiasm than usual. However, those cozy, rainy days that ushered in October also coincided with the start of cold and flu season, a reminder to take steps to stay healthy as winter looms. One of the […]
When we talk about community, the first thing that comes to mind is often related to place — where we live and who else lives there. It’s worth considering, though, that community comes from the Latin word communis, meaning common. In other words, community is really about the things we have in common. A large […]
Whenever I attend a local event, I’m always impressed and encouraged by the way Mesa County businesses support the things that make this community a great place to live. Some of the best-loved events in the area — the downtown farmers’ market, Junior College Baseball World Series and Palisade Peach Festival —would have a hard […]