Weekly Update
Mayor's Fitness Council of San Antonio
Message from Full Council Chair, Mandy Tyler
Greetings Mayor's Fitness Council Members -
I hope each of you and your families are healthy, doing well, and finding ways to be active, eat healthy, and stay connected while safe at home. It has been great to see the amazing work of our community coming together to support one another during this time of need. From the incredible work of our San Antonio Food Bank, to the outstanding efforts of our school districts providing meals and distance learning, and our partners such as the Witte Museum providing virtual tours, the YMCA offering virtual fitness classes, and CHEF San Antonio sharing recipes and nutrition tips for while at home - it is evident that San Antonio will work together as a community to pull through this.
Have you had the chance to visit the new FitCitySA website COVID-19 Resource Page? If not, please make sure to visit the website and share this resources with your colleagues and friends, as well as on your social media platforms. We welcome ideas for additional resources to include on the webpage. Also, make sure to follow the San Antonio Mayor's Fitness Council on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
In the upcoming weeks we will continue to monitor and follow the guidance of San Antonio Metro Health in regards to Mayor's Fitness Council meetings and events. Please check your e-mails for Zoom Meeting calendar invites to normally scheduled subcommittee meetings. As we move forward in the upcoming weeks, I encourage you to find ways to stay active, to remember the importance of eating healthy, and to stay connected - through technology so we can practice good social distancing!
Take Care,
Mandy
Message from Mayor Nirenberg - We're All in This Together
MFC Committee Meetings This Week:
MFC Executive Committee Meeting
Questions? Please contact Andrea Bottiglieri - Andrea.Bottiglieri@sanantonio.gov /call or text 210-857-5378.
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2020, 02:00 PM
Via Zoom
Committee Meetings Next Week
SABGH - San Antonio Business Group on Health Board of Directors Meeting
Questions? Please contact Andrea Bottiglieri - Andrea.Bottiglieri@sanantonio.gov /call or text 210-857-5378.
Thursday, Apr 30, 2020, 03:00 PM
Via Zoom
MFC Community Committee Meeting Minutes
Mayor's Fitness Council Updates
Student Ambassador Application is LIVE!
Breaking News: The Le Family Welcomes a Healthy Baby Girl!
Mayor Nirenberg's Instagram LIVE Health & Wellness Check-in with Lonnie Walker IV (Click Photo Below to Play Video)
MFC Executive Committee Member Spotlight
Dr. Amelie Ramirez Joins New Team to Guide San Antonio in Reopening Economy after Social Distancing
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff announced the addition of Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, to the COVID-19 Health Transition Team, which is working on a plan to slowly reopen the city economy after social distancing.
Nirenberg and Wolff wrote a joint memo that stay-at-home rules have saved lives.
Yet they acknowledge social distancing isn’t permanent.
“Our community needs a local strategy to reenter into everyday life,” Nirenberg and Wolff wrote. “These decisions have critical implications on our community – including our ability to avoid subsequent outbreaks, ensure we protect our most vulnerable populations, especially those in high-risk professions, and to identify parameters for transitioning into/out of restrictions.”
Ramirez and the COVID-19 Health Transition Team must create a health transition plan for San Antonio by April 27, 2020.
They will present the strategy to several working groups named earlier by Nirenberg and Wolff to recommend measures for long-term recovery, community rebuilding, and ongoing disease prevention. Barbara Taylor, associate professor of infectious diseases at UT Health San Antonio, is team chair.
Team members include:
- Dr. Ramirez, chair of Population Health Sciences and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, as well as a local, national, and international leader in research on Latino health and health equity issues
- Dr. Dawn Emerick, City of San Antonio Metro Health Director
- Dr. Junda Woo, City of San Antonio Metro Health Medical Director
- Dr. Ruth Berggren, UT Health San Antonio infectious disease specialist
- Dr. Bryan Alsip, University Health System Chief Medical Officer
- Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, public health consultant
- Dr. Tom Patterson, Chair of Infectious Disease, UT Health Science Center
- Dr. Carrie DeWitt, group manager and infectious disease physician
- Dr. Jason Morrow, Medical Director of Inpatient Palliative Care Services at UHS
Led by Dr. Ramirez, our team at Salud America! is digitally curating content about what the coronavirus pandemic means for Latino health equity and efforts to help vulnerable communities, like San Antonio.
“We want to ensure the Latino population gets an equitable share of culturally relevant information during the pandemic and beyond,” Ramirez said.
San Antonio City Council Member Ana Sandoval, chair of the Community Health and Equity Committee, will serve as City Council’s liaison to the Health Transition Team. Commissioner Justin Rodriguez will be the liaison for Bexar County Commissioners Court.
In addition, Salud America! curator Amanda Merck is a member of a group of public health advocates working to provide advice and guidance on issues related to public health and the COVID-19 pandemic in San Antonio. They will propose strategies for reopening the city as well as ways to provide more space for physical activity outdoors with sufficient space for physical distancing.
“The whole effort is to make sure that we can begin to enjoy some of the activities we used to but also prevent a second wave of this pandemic and end up in an even worst spot than we are now,” Nirenberg said, according to the Rivard Report.
“That has to be done thoughtfully, that has to be driven by public health first. So that’s why it’s important to convene medical professionals to come up with the rules of the road.”
This article and copy is from Salud America's Website and can be viewed here: https://salud-america.org/dr-amelie-ramirez-joins-new-team-to-guide-san-antonio-in-reopening-economy-after-social-distancing/?fbclid=IwAR2614erPoQBz1B9oieQSmYTHaNgqP97g7kUad6lz2lX9B7SYCuGlQYE1aE
Metro Health's Medical Director, Dr. Junda Woo Part of the Public Health Transition Team
Mayor Nirenberg and the San Antonio Observer Discuss the Coronavirus and Communities of Color and Underserved Populations
Play Along! Who Is That Masked Hero?
Each day at 9:00 am, Councilman Pelaez will post a masked individual and share some hints about the person behind the mask. And, at 5:00 pm he will reveal the #HeroBehindTheMask.
For our masked hero above, here are your three hints:
1. This person is the Head Boys Varsity Coach at Cornerstone Christian Schools.
2. This person has three NBA Championship rings.
3. This person started a program to combat childhood obesity.
Check out Councilman Pelaez's Facebook Page at 5:00 pm to see if you guessed correctly!
Covid-19 Resource Websites
Mayor Nirenberg and Judge Wolff Covid-19 Daily Briefing (Click on Photo Below to Play Video)
CLOTH FACE COVERINGS:
The CDC is recommending the use of cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain — like grocery stores and pharmacies.
The CDC also recommends these coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
Cloth coverings are advised so that medical grade masks can be reserved for our front line emergency personnel and healthcare workers.
We are issuing an advisory that recommends anybody over the age of 5 wear a cloth mask in public if they are traveling to a place that cannot properly employ social distancing.
NEW TESTING PROCEDURES AT FREEMAN:
You no longer need a doctor’s recommendation to get tested for COVID-19 at the Freeman Coliseum drive-through facility. You will still need to call to make an appointment. Based on the influx of calls, those who present with symptoms commonly found in COVID-19 — fever, dry cough, shortness of breath — will be prioritized.
Call 210-233-5970 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to complete the registration process for a test.
Our self-screening tool can help inform your decision on whether or not to seek testing, but please note it is only for information purposes and does not provide a medical diagnosis.
Access the tool here: https://covid19test.quacito.com/
If a test is recommended, you will be provided a phone number that you can call to schedule your test.
If you're experiencing symptoms, we are still advising that you stay at home and call your primary care provider for the next best steps. Do not go to the emergency room. Your providers are equipped with the information they need to recommend COVID-19 testing.
If you do not have a primary healthcare provider or insurance, Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC) can assist you with the next best steps.
- CommuniCare: 210.233.7000
- CentroMed: 210.922.7000
Texas MedClinic is now equipped to provide tests.
MENTAL HEALTH:
These times are rightfully taxing on all of us. While it may be difficult to open up during uncertain moments, I want you to know there are always people willing to help.
The State of Texas has opened up a 24/7 mental health hotline: 833-986-1919
If you'd prefer to text, you can chat with someone at the Crisis Text Line by texting SHARE to 741741.
Have You Tested Positive for Covid-19 and Recovered?
Message from Mayor Nirenberg:
This is my friend Paul Basaldua, who recently recovered from COVID-19 and donated 5 bags of convalescent plasma to help others battle this disease. He's already made plans to donate more plasma this week.
If you've recovered from COVID-19, I hope you consider calling the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center - Donor Pavilion to make an appointment to donate. Your plasma may be able to be used to help others fight off the disease.
Thank you for your generosity, Paul!
Kens 5 Interview with Mayor Nirenberg - We're All In This Together (Click Photo Below to Play Video)
Covid-19 Community Action United Message Campaign
Our Communications Committee is currently working on updating the FitCitySA website over the next few weeks in order to share out important Covid-19 community public service announcements and messaging. We all can do our part within our own organizations to help spread the same Covid-19 messages. Please see the many info-graphics that you are welcome to share on your websites and social media pages.
Another great opportunity for the Mayor's Fitness Council is the Covid-19 Community Action that has been formed by Mayor Nirenberg and Judge Wolff. Moving forward we will be continuing our advocacy to help ensure that mental health, physical fitness and good nutrition is represented well within the Covid-19 Community Action Plan under the Social Services work group.
Stay tuned for more information. #inthistogether
Shareable Covid-19 Info-graphs
How to Wear a Mask Discussion with Metro Health Director, Dr. Dawn Emerick
City of San Antonio Works to Help Slow Spread of COVID-19 in Most Vulnerable Areas
// From SA2020 //
The Story Goes Podcast with SA2020's Molly Cox and Forrest Myane with Meals On Wheels San Antonio
// Shout Out to All Bexar County School Districts Serving Their Students & Communities! //
Half Million Milestone!
City Councilman Manny Pelaez Interview with Dr. Esteban Lopez (Click on Photo to Play Video)
Cox Media Asks For Nominations Hero of the Day!
These are the times when real heroes step up, and we want to recognize the ones around you. Truckers, first responders, health care workers, teachers, and so many more essential workers and volunteers. Cox Media Group wants you to share with them your nomination for the "Hero of the Day". They'll be shouting out a new hero every day.
Let’s celebrate all of those people who are working hard, and helping out during this time of crisis!
https://www.kono1011.com/entertainment/hero-of-the-day-2020/By034hCfPC2Ep4plURGRUI/#//
Click on the Link Below To Sign Up to Volunteer with the San Antonio Food Bank
Poteet Strawberry Festival is Offering Drive-Thru for Strawberries
// Practicing Mental Wellness //
Mayor's Fitness Council Communications Committee Member Bonny Osterhage Shares her Perspective on Making Simple Changes to Boost Your Mindset
Smoking or Vaping and Covid-19 Handout Resource
// Go Outside, It's Important! //
From Darryl Byrd
From the San Antonio River Foundation
Texas State Parks Are Open
// No Trip to the Gym - Work Out at Home! //
Yoga at the San Antonio Zoo! (Click on Photo Below to Play Video)
San Antonio Parks & Recreation Home Bodies Workout with Michael Jones (Click Photo Below to Play Video)
Fleet Feet Mixed Media Speed Session Workout
Fiesta de los Spurs Challenge
But the Spurs are here to help.
The Fiesta de los Spurs Run was supposed to happen this weekend, but like so much else got put on hold. To encourage physical activity while maintaining social distancing, the Spurs announced on Twitter that the Fiesta de los Spurs would take a new, virtual form.
On Saturday, April 25 — the event's originally scheduled date — instead of running together IRL, Los Spurs want San Antonians to send in videos of themselves running, walking or biking for 2.6 miles or exercising for 26 minutes while decked out in their finest Spurs or Fiesta-themed gear.
One winning video will be selected to win free entry for the rescheduled run, which will take place November 14. Participants need to post between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, using the hashtag #AtHomeFiesta and tagging @SpursGive.
Spurs Give lays out the full deets for contest submission on its website.Go, Spurs fans, go!
// Free Webinars and Workshops to Check Out //
Free Virtual Meeting - Parent Support Meeting - April 22nd
Wednesday, April 22nd
11:00am-1:00 pm
Zoom Link provided upon RSVP
RSVP Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHluIN3875Skf3mSPRlVaZHPaYdr7EBTvyK6fW0l6DdFkPDQ/viewform
For more information: sanantoniopsn@ymhproject.org
**ANY CHILD CAN STRUGGLE WITH EMOTIONAL, MENTAL OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT ANY TIME; YOUR CHILD DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BENEFIT FROM THE NETWORK.
*The term “Parents” is used to describe ANY adult caregiver, including guardians, parents, grandparents, foster or step-parents, of a young person between the ages of 0 and 24.
https://ymhproject.org/events/
Free Webinar - Comprehensive Self-Care for Educators - April 22nd
Session dates: Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Starting time: 1:00 pm, Central Daylight Time (Chicago, GMT-05:00)
Duration: 30 minutes
Presenters: Cat Willett,Lisa Perry,Annie L. Reed,Elizabeth Cook,Megan Diehl,Scott Page,Mariah Lafleur,Mary Mancuso,Nhu Khazal,Kim Wooden,Richie Ressel,Amber Duonnolo
Description: This session will be recorded and shared with all attendees and registrants on the waitlist.
For many of us, the term “self-care” evokes images of yoga class, a spa day or a peaceful meditation. While these may be valuable self-care activities for some, they aren’t the only ways to support your personal well-being. In this session, you’ll learn about “comprehensive self-care," which centers on five interconnected aspects of well-being: physical, emotional, social, community and purpose. Join Kaiser Permanente, Sanford Harmony and Healthier Generation as we explore the science of well-being and give practical tips to nurture your mind and body.
Session Objectives:
•Identify the five aspects of well-being.
•Apply strategies to support each aspect of well-being.
•Develop a personal plan of action to nurture your mind and body.
The recording and session materials will be available in the Healthier Generation Training Center.
If you have any questions, please email learn@healthiergeneration.org.
Free Webinar - Safe Handling of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables - April 23rd
Link: https://agrilife-tamu.webex.com/agrilife-tamu/j.php?MTID=m40103587c3fd396d35127c9d19a0b8a0
MEETING NUMBER:
924 972 862
MEETING PASSWORD:
JUMFGZ2PD66
Free Virtual Discussion - Parenting During a Pandemic - April 24th
Register on Zoom: https://bit.ly/2wQER5W
Watch on Facebook Live: facebook.com/itstimetx
There you were, rocking this thing called parenting—and then school, daycare, and life as you know it got cancelled. Parents, you are not alone.
In the midst of a pandemic, it’s okay to feel a little off your game. It’s okay for your parenting style to differ from what it was a month ago. And it’s definitely okay to take breaks to care for yourself while you adjust to taking on new roles.
Join It’s Time Texas for an open, honest discussion on parenting during the time of COVID-19.
We’ll touch on:
- Responding to new roles, challenges, and opportunities
- Finding a rhythm and routine that works for your family
- Resources for keepings your kids active and healthy
- Making time for your health and self-care
Part of the #TexansThrive Conversation Series Powered by It's Time Texas
Free Webinar - How to use Data to Promote Health Equity During the Covid-19 Pandemic - May 7th
You are invited to join a free national webinar to find out how to use our Salud America! Health Equity Report Card to help you visualize and explore place-based health inequities in your county and build a case toward solutions during these difficult coronavirus times.
The webinar, “How to Use Place-Based Data to Promote Health Equity During COVID-19 Pandemic,” is set for Thursday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Webinar speakers will explore:
- How inequities in housing, transportation, poverty, healthcare, and access to healthy food and safe places to be active, contribute to disparities in infectious and chronic disease.
- How you can use the local data, interactive maps, and comparative gauges in the Salud America!Health Equity Report Card to identify health inequity issues in your county.
- Evidence-based research and emerging ways local communities are addressing health inequities.
Free Workshops - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Weekly Gardening Series (see schedule below)
Horticulturist David Rodriguez and Entomologist Molly Keck are joining forces to provide a weekly plants and bugs webinar series. Join us to learn about your landscape and the insects that could wreak havoc on it!
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in April @ 1-2pm Central Time. Plus a few bonus webinars! ALL WEBINARS START AT 1PM.
For the Week of April 21 – The garden should really be growing right now and you won’t want to miss horticulturist, David Rodriguez give the low down on what should be happening with your plants. How should those veggie be growing, what maintenance do you need to make sure you get tons of food? Join us to learn all about it! And don’t forget to join us April 22nd to hear entomologist, Molly Keck discuss what insects you may be seeing on your veggies this time of year and what you can do now (and early!) to prevent them from ruining your garden this year.
To join, click on the link below at the date and time of the presentation:
https://agrilife-tamu.webex.com/agrilife-tamu/j.php?MTID=m9251097900a15d7d57a12b6672213fc7
Upcoming Webinars all Through May:
What’s Happening in Your Veggie Garden
April 21 – The Plants – David Rodriguez
April 22 - The Pests – Molly Keck
Growing Citrus on Your Patio and Landscape
April 28 – An Easy and Fun Way to Grow Vitamin C – David Rodriguez
April 29 – The Pests that Reduce That Vitamin C – Molly Keck
BONUS WEBINAR!
May 1 – Spiders – Spooky or Cool?
Make Mother’s Day Great!
May 5 – Great Plant Gifts for Mother’s Day
May 6 – What’s Eating Mama’s Plants?
BONUS WEBINARS!
May 7 – Butterfly Gardening Host Plants
May 8 – Butterfly Gardening Nectar Plants
Top Ten for Trees
May 12 - Ten of the Best Blooming Trees for your Landscape
May 13 – Ten Bugs That Damage Trees
Superstar Plants
May 19 – Make a Tropical Paradise with Superstar Plants
May 20 – Common Pests and Remedies for Superstar Plants
It’s Getting HOT, HOT, HOT!
May 26 - Getting Your Lawn and Landscape Ready for the Summer Heat
May 27 – Heat Loving and Thriving Pests
Cox Media Business Resource Opportunity
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
The coronavirus has disrupted all of our lives here in San Antonio, and all over the world. Local businesses are being hit hard, with restrictions on how they can operate in effect. Cox Media Group would like to help them out!
And if you’re looking for food, or services being offered in a safe way during this crisis, check out the businesses that are open right now.
Domestic Violence Increases in Times of Stress - SAPD Can Help
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month - Be On the Lookout for the Cardboard Kids
// Thinking About the Class of 2020 - College Grads, High School Seniors and 8th Grade Graduates //
Mayor's Fitness Council Senior Student Mentors
Saifa Sajjad - Senior 2020 Brandeis HS - NISD
Maxwell Harrison - Senior 2020 Brandeis HS - NISD
Skyler Williams - Senior 2020 Young Women's Leadership Academy - SAISD
Need Some Cheering Up? Check out Johnn Krasinski and the Virtual Prom for the Kids that Missed Out on this Tradition This Year
Need Some More Cheering Up? Check out these Covid-19 Inspired Loteria Cards - Can We Say, Relatable??
Mayor's Fitness Council 2019 Annual Report
Support the Mayor's Fitness Council Social Media
FitCitySA Facebook
FitCitySA Instagram
FitCitySA Twitter
Mayor's Fitness Council Members Only Facebook Group: Here is the link to join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mfcsa/
In an effort to bring all Mayor's Fitness Council Committees together and stay updated with what is happening across the Council, the MFC Communications Committee launched a Facebook group for MFC internal updates and happenings to keep all members and key community partners abreast of the latest news and information from the Mayor's Fitness Council.
Mayor's Fitness Council
Email: Andrea.Bottiglieri@sanantonio.gov
Website: www.fitcitysa.com
Location: 111 Soledad Street, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-857-5378
Facebook: facebook.com/FitCitySA
Twitter: @FitCitySA