Vitalyst Spark

E44: COVID-19 Roundtable Update - 9/1

When it comes to COVID, we could all use as much good news as we can get. And guess what, we got some on August 27, when eight of Arizona’s 15 counties moving to “moderate spread” status, while Greenlee County graduated to “minimal spread.” Since this is our first pandemic in over 100 years, it’s a good idea to know how to process this news, drawing from a breadth of expert perspective. That, and more, is what you’ll hear in this episode of our COVID-19 Roundtable.

We’ve got two brand-new and intriguing guests that we’re excited for you to meet. But before we do, remember that rate of spread got to these levels, and can only aspire to stay at these levels, if we are all COVID Smart: Stay-at-home as much as you possibly can; wash up; mask up; maintain physical distancing, and keep a heads up for your fellow Arizonans. If we want continued lower numbers 2-4 weeks from now, our actions today make that difference.

Only with a topic like COVID can you get health experts to combine schools and bars, policymaking and college partying, or even the airing of droplets and the airing of misinformation. But we’ve got all of that here today as we talk about what life with COVID-19 looks like as of September 1, 2020.

E43: The Health Data Challenge, Pt. 1 - 8/25

The conversation we’re entering into today is both new and one we’ve been having together for a long time on this podcast. It’s a conversation about how to understand what makes community health more possible – and conversely what makes it far less possible.

Henry David Thoreau – yes, the Walden guy – once wrote “not that the story need be long, but it will take a long while to make it short.” Thoreau, while sitting on the shore of a secluded pond in the 1800s, clearly had the story of 21st Century health data in mind when he wrote this. OK, maybe he didn’t, but that quote fits the quest that Vitalyst has been on to share actionable, and equitable, data insights on community health so well that we’re going to repeat it: “not that the story needs to be long, but it will take a long while to make it short.”

Here we are, in 2020, when it seems like everyone is an amateur epidemiologist thanks to COVID-19, yet we all still struggle to find accessible, understandable data; we struggle when that data contradicts dominant narratives; and we struggle to reconcile what the numbers can tell us about how communities can live better and thrive. Well, as the stoic philosophers like to say, the obstacle may be daunting, but the obstacle is the way. So today, we have two great guests who are involved in the health data struggle every day, and who lead a company that is helping Vitalyst, and six of Arizona’s County Health Departments, work through data obstacles so that we all can make better sense of the data and help formulate actions and solutions for communities to thrive.

So let’s get to it. It’s time to dig more deeply into the fascinating trials and tribulations of public health data, the rise of a series of local and statewide health dashboards that you can access to learn much more about what is affecting community health, and how we all can build a more insightful, actionable, better understanding of health historically, presently, and in the years to come.

E42: COVID-19 Roundtable Update - 8/18

In the midst of one of our hottest summers ever, Arizona’s new confirmed COVID-19 case rate is starting to cool off. But as we should all know by now, actions and decisions today don’t become measurable numbers for weeks. It’s important to look back at what we’re learning, look ahead using that knowledge, and think carefully about the challenges we face together. You’re going to hear a lot of that processing of data, knowledge, and new opportunities in this week’s compelling COVID-19 roundtable conversation – one that we will top off with some emergent hope about testing.

Here's your weekly reminder: Don’t stop being smart when it comes to COVID-19. Stay-at-home as much as you possibly can; wash up; mask up; maintain social distancing, and keep a heads up for your fellow Arizonans. If we want continued lower numbers 2-4 weeks from now, our actions today make that difference.

It’s time to talk about the data, policymaking, the importance of getting your flu shot, the great school reopening dilemma, coming bar and nightclub reopening decisions, vaccines, and new hope for faster, cheaper testing. In other words, it’s time to talk about what life with COVID-19 looks like as of August 18, 2020.

E41: Census 2020 Action Update - 8/11

Today, we're switching things up. We’re focused on an action that sounds like not such a big deal in the face of a global pandemic and the long overdue attention to race and gender inequity. But here’s the thing: the 2020 U.S. Census matters precisely because of COVID-19 and the inequities that too many people in Arizona unjustly face. Yes, the Census.

Know this: we only have until September 30, 2020 to get everyone who lives in Arizona counted, and right now – as of August 10 – Arizona residents are being undercounted more than we were in 2010. That has to change. Another one or two Congressional seats hang in the balance for our state, as does much needed Federal funding to address so many issues related to health and well-being.  That’s why we asked David Martinez from Vitalyst to join us today. 

We’re not going to talk at you for long. We’re going to talk with you, and then ask you to take action. Time is running out to get this right, which is why we need everyone to step up and act.   

So let’s get to it. It’s time to talk about why Census 2020 is so important to Arizona, why we’re still not getting counted, and why we’ve have to act now in order to get what Arizona needs for health and well-being statewide. 

E40: COVID-19 Roundtable Update - 8/4

Welcome to August 2020 and the return of our COVID-19 Roundtable. Perhaps what’s changed more than anything in the last two weeks would be – in a word – confidence. There is increased confidence that Arizona has plateaued in terms of spread and healthcare resource utilization – although at a “high watermark.” There is increased confidence that we will see a vaccine sooner rather than later too, but many questions remain and we’ll talk about some of those today.

 

Here is your weekly reminder: don’t stop being smart when it comes to COVID-19. Stay-at-home as much as you possibly can; wash up; mask up; maintain social distancing, and keep a heads up for your fellow Arizonans. The reason Arizonans can feel some confidence right now is because we’ve been doing more of what it takes to slow the spread. We need to be in this together in order to get out of this together.

 

Alright, it’s time to talk about the numbers, Arizona’s testing capacity and turnaround times, K-12 schools reopening, Universities reopening, the latest on vaccines and a new segment we call “heard it through the grapevine.” In other words, it’s time to talk about what life with COVID-19 looks like as of August 3, 2020.

E39: LGBTQ Communities and COVID-19

Today’s episode is a deep dive and worth your time given the important insights you’ll gain from three awesome advocates for Arizona’s LGBTQ communities. Fair warning, this episode clocks in as one of our longest so far. That’s because so many of us have a long way to go in terms of learning how to interpersonally and systemically support LGBTQ well-being. Arizona cannot lay claim to being a vibrant state without embracing, and learning from, its most vulnerable communities - communities that hold the keys for forward leaps in health and well-being for all Arizonans.

 

Treat this long listen as a sort of two-part episode packaged together. In Part 1, we build understanding of what young LGBTQ communities face on a daily basis, with the added effects of COVID. In Part 2, we’ll go more in-depth regarding root causes and needed systems change. Plus we’ve got a terrific lightning round and a new segment called “once you see it, you can’t unsee it.” So let’s get to it. It’s time to talk about safety, inclusion, supportive environments, oppression, dominant culture, capacity and training, policies, systems and much more. More concisely it’s time to talk about LGBTQ communities, Arizona, and COVID-19.

 

Show links:

Kore Press Institute: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Equality Arizona: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

GLSEN Phoenix: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

E38: COVID-19 Roundtable Update - 7/21

Buckle up, pour yourself a beverage, turn up your speakers and/or get those headphones secured and get ready – because this COVID roundtable really packs an informative punch. Round for round, pound for pound, this is the episode for analysis, perspective and even for hope.

 

For one thing, Arizona appears to be doing a lot less worse according to the numbers. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a long way to go, but the trend is no longer going the wrong way. And that’s because, among other things, people are doing more of the right things. So don’t stop now. Stay-at-home as much as you possibly can; wash up; mask up; maintain social distancing, and keep a heads up for your fellow Arizonans. We need to be in this together in order to get out of this together.

 

There’s much more to get into. So, here we go. It’s time to talk numbers, systems, policies, gating criteria, school reopenings, collective community goals, economic and social supports, and health insurance. And we’ve got a robust and detailed vaccine discussion for you today. In other words, in this, our fourth month of the roundtable, we’ve got a lot to share.

E37: Heat, Health and COVID-19 Part 2

Right on the heels of record-breaking high temperatures in the Valley, we return with Part 2 of our two-part discussion on heat in Arizona. Two weeks ago in Part 1, we sat in with high-level experts and researchers to understand the macro-level changes and impacts we are all experiencing. We also touched on some promising, on-the-ground work. This week, in Part 2, we’re going directly to the micro, ground-level, touching base with leaders of two nonprofits, and getting the perspective of how a city better connects to those most impacted by heat.

As each of our guests shares their work, you’ll feel the continued transforming presence of COVID-19. From emergency relief efforts to chronic heat issues, nothing escapes being impacted by coronavirus. As Arizona continues to be a hot spot for infection, don’t forget to stay smart: stay-at-home as much as you possibly can; wash up; mask up; maintain social distancing, and keep a heads up for your fellow Arizonans. We need to be in this together in order to get out of this together.

We’re going to serve up a lot of context and content in the next 30 minutes, so buckle up. It’s time to talk about heat, relief, shelter, air conditioning, trees and shade, buildings, pavement, planning, and policy as we emerge from our first heat emergency of 2020.

E36: COVID-19 Roundtable Update - 7/7

We’re back today with another COVID-19 roundtable, in the shadow of some significant statistics: as of July 6, there are 101,441 confirmed cases in Arizona. It took more than four months to hit 25,000 cases, 15 days to double that number to 50,000 cases, and another short 14 days to get over 101,000. In basic terms, COVID-19 is widespread. An at hospitals, inpatient beds are 84% occupied, while 89% of ICU beds are currently filled.

Combine those statistics with where we are in terms of diagnostic testing availability, results turnaround times, and contact tracing, and there can be only one takeaway: now is definitely NOT the time to ease up. Our behaviors remain the most important tools for helping to flatten a steep curve of infections. Stay at home as much as you possibly can; wash up; mask up; maintain social distancing, and keep a heads up for your fellow Arizonans. We need everyone to be in this together in order to get through this together.

Let's get to it. It’s time to talk about healthcare, public health, policy, and community as we move past perhaps the most unusual 4^th of July in some time and continue adapting to life with COVID-19.

E35: Heat, Health and COVID-19

First and foremost everyone here at Vitalyst is thinking about every one of you. Wash up, mask up, maintain social distancing please, and keep a heads up for your fellow Arizonans. As COVID-19 cases are increasing significantly in our state, so are our temperatures – and, sadly, our wildfires. COVID-19 didn’t respond to increasing heat, but our natural resources, our built environments, and our health and well-being most certainly do. Heat is a major challenge for Arizona. We should continuously be talking, innovating, and iterating on it. Today we’re launching Part one of our first two-part dialogue on heat. In two weeks, we’ll be talking about actions being taking by cities and organizations focused on our most vulnerable populations. But first, today we’re talking with three experts about how we should more deeply understand the issues. After all, big challenges are best understood when we take them apart, understand their components, engage authentically with community members, and uncover root causes that affect health and well-being. 

So, with that simple but challenging agenda in mind, let’s get to it. It’s time to talk about coalitions, systems, governments, planning, airports, air conditioning, bus stops, communities and health as things heat up for Arizona in the summer of 2020.

Links:

Urban Land Institute "Scorched" Report: Summary Release, Report PDF
Maricopa County Bridging Climate Change and Public Health: Web page, Strategic Plan, Things You Can Do
Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago by Eric Klinenberg