by Rich Larson
While discussing the latest spike in positive Covid-19 cases last week, Northfield Hospital + Clinics President and CEO Steve
Underdahl expressed both surprise and disappointment at the continued proliferation of misinformation regarding Covid-19 vaccinations, and how the situation has been politicized.
He said that he initially saw the campaign against vaccines as something that would be a pestering annoyance, but it has now become a very serious problem. From the idea that the vaccines will change a person’s DNA, to the theory that it contains a microchip that will be used to track the recipient, he said the mistrust of vaccines – for whatever reason – is one of the key drivers of the continued pandemic.
He said social media platforms have been very effective in passing along what he called “simply false information” very quickly. The problem, in fact, he said, has become so large that Senator Amy Klobuchar is now working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle on legislation that will investigate the true source of the issue.
In the meantime, however, he said this has become a dangerous proposition, and one that is only prolonging the real problem. Underdahl stressed that there is good information out there, and that those who are still unsure about vaccines should find “one or two trusted sources,” and rely on them, adding that getting health information from Facebook is not an advisable option.
“I can’t stress enough, don’t get your health information from your social media platform. The chances that it is nonsense are really, really high. At this point, that factor alone is likely to help plunge us into a very difficult autumn and potentially winter.”
Age Friendly Northfield is gaining momentum
Last week at the Northfield City Council meeting, David Delong, the chair of Age Friendly Northfield, gave the council an update on his organization’s various projects. Age Friendly Northfield, which receives some of its funding from the city, he said, is doing good work, but they do need some organizational help to raise their profile.
The Age Friendly model was created by the World Health Organization and is administered by AARP. The belief is that “environments that are truly age-friendly require action in many sectors: health, long-term care, transportation, housing, labor, social protection, information and communication,” by several different sections of society.
According to AARP more than 36 states now have Age Friendly Communities, and DeLong said, the State of Minnesota has earmarked a little more than $3 million to become the first Age Friendly state. Here in Northfield, he said, the organization is working to both help and communicate with the older members of the population.
The Red Chair Project is their most recognizable initiative. The group has a number of red chairs that they will set up at the various events in Northfield throughout the year. The chairs are a little bit more comfortable and have arms, to make things easier for seniors to enjoy their time out.
Another project produced by Age Friendly Northfield is a resource guide that offers information on everything from housing to educational opportunities to health and wellness. DeLong said the guide is meant to be an aid not just to seniors, but to families and caregivers as well.
“A lot of times, caregivers or older adults are looking for information about something. You know ‘I’m trying to get my parents into a dining program.’ Well, how do you do that? And we’ve come up with a nice resource guide for doing that.”
He also said the group is hoping to soon have the resources to hire a part-time coordinator to help with more of the day-to-day operations.
The published guide is available at FiftyNorth, or it can be found on the organization’s website. For more information on Age Friendly Northfield, or to make a contribution, visit agefriendlynorthfield.com
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with David DeLong can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
