Safe Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Geneology International

SCVNews.com | Public Health Shares Safe Food Preparation Tips for the Holidays

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health shared how to avoid foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning, with families celebrating during the holiday season.

Raw or undercooked meats including turkey, chicken, beef and lamb can contain bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella or E. coli, that cause diarrhea and other health problems. It’s important to note that freezing does not kill these bacteria but cooking meats to the proper temperature does kill them.

When purchasing a fresh turkey, plan to cook it within 1- 2 days after purchase. The United States Department of Agriculture does not recommend purchasing retail-stuffed fresh turkey, roasters, Cornish hens or other whole stuffed poultry because of the highly perishable nature of a previously stuffed item.

To thaw a turkey:

In the Refrigerator:

– Place your frozen turkey in its original wrapper in the refrigerator (40° F or below).

– Allow approximately 24 hours of thaw time per 5 pounds of turkey.

– After thawing, keep turkey refrigerated for only 1-2 days before cooking.

In Cold Water:

– Place securely wrapped turkey in cold water and change the water every 30 minutes.

– Allow about 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey.

– Cook immediately after thawing.

– Do not thaw frozen pre-stuffed turkeys before cooking.

– Do not refreeze a turkey that has been thawed.

To cook a turkey:

When roasting a whole turkey:

– Use a food thermometer to make sure it cooks to 165°F or higher.

– Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, but not against the bone.

– For safety and uniform doneness, cook stuffing separately in a casserole dish.

For pre-cooked turkey dinners:

– Eat within 2 hours or refrigerate components separately, then reheat to a temperature of at least 165°F.

Frozen pre-stuffed turkeys:

– Cook from the frozen state by following package directions.

When deep frying a turkey:

– Remember the dangers of deep frying a turkey. Turkey fryers can easily start a fire.

– Use your turkey fryer only outdoors on a sturdy, level surface well away from things that can burn.

– Make sure to have a “3-foot kid- and pet-free zone” around your turkey fryer to protect against burn injuries.

Other food handling tips include:

– Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling food, especially raw food, and after using the restroom.

– Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating or cutting into them.

– Separate raw meats and poultry from other foods such as fruits and vegetables. Avoid cross contamination by using separate cutting boards, knives, and platters for these foods.

– Wash cutting boards, utensils, and platters after preparing each food item.

– Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil when re-heating.

– Keep hot foods hot. Use chafing dishes or pans with Sternos or other heating devices, or keep foods in the oven at a temperature to ensure they remain at 135°F or above.

– Keep cold foods cold (40°F or below). Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Throw out foods that should have been kept cold but have been left out for more than two hours.

– Leftovers should be used within 3 to 4 days.

– “Taste testing” food or drinks to see if they have spoiled is not recommended.

During the holidays, Public Health investigates cases of foodborne illness that are the result of undercooked food and/or poor food handling practices. Typical symptoms of foodborne illness include stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, all of which can start hours or days after consuming contaminated food or drink. For healthy people, most symptoms usually go away after a few hours or days without treatment. However, foodborne illness can be severe and even life-threatening in older adults, infants and young children, pregnant women, and those with conditions that weaken their immune systems.

For more information on safe cooking, visit the USDA website at: www.usda.gov or call their toll- free Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854. Food safety specialists are available, in English or Spanish, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time during the week year-round. An extensive menu of recorded food safety messages may be heard 24 hours a day. For Frequently Asked Questions, visit: Avoid Foodborne Illness This Thanksgiving.

Health tips for a happy, safe, COVID-free Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving dinner just around the corner, health officials across the Gulf South are urging residents to be mindful of COVID-19 precautions while also planning out their menus and activities.

After a deadly surge in COVID-19 cases brought on from the Delta variant, hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases are finally down across Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. And unlike last holiday season, people as young as five years old are eligible to get a vaccine, with many also eligible for a booster shot.

States across the Gulf South, however, still have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country for both adults and kids. That’s why health officials say the pandemic is far from over and are worried that there could be another potential surge in cases after Christmas, just as there was in January 2021.

Experts have suggested a few key recommendations to stay safe:

1. Consider getting vaccinated

COVID-19 is certainly less of a risk than it was a few months ago, but there is still a risk of transmission, said Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana state health officer.

“Depending on who’s coming to your holiday gathering, they might be coming from a state that is surging right now, like we were surging a couple of months ago. And that would introduce risk,” Kanter said. “I think what families should do first is consider how they can make their gatherings safer. The first way they can do that is by encouraging everyone who’s there to get vaccinated if they are eligible to do so.”

Kanter said if some members of the family are still hesitant to get vaccinated, they can still follow COVID-19 safety precautions — like masking and social distancing.

“It’s always safer to do activities outside if you can,” he said. “If the weather’s nice, do it outside.”

2. Think about who will be at the table

Although vaccines are widely available and most people are eligible, some people — like kids under the age of five or people that are immunocompromised — might not have any or full protection.

Dr. Rachael Lee, with the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said it’s important to think about who will be attending a family gathering.

“We likely have a lot of kids that have received their first dose, but they’re not going to be fully vaccinated yet. And there’s also people that may have immunocompromised loved ones, so we really want to be careful,” Lee said. “If you’re going to have a large gathering with multiple families, think about how you can protect those loved ones that are not fully vaccinated yet.”

Lee also recommends using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s transmission tracker to see if COVID-19 rates are higher wherever people are traveling.

Considering how COVID transmission may affect loved ones also means rethinking certain activities. Black Friday shopping may not be a good idea for some people. Grocery stores might also be too crowded closer to Thanksgiving Day.

3. Avoid going to the ER if you can

Kanter said he’s not so worried about COVID-19 filling up hospitals during the holidays as much as before, but it’s better to avoid them if possible.

Emergency rooms are typically already stretched thin during this time, and they could be a source of transmission — especially as flu season ramps up. Care facilities such as a primary care clinic or an urgent care clinic are the better option if your ailments can be addressed there.

“Now with these staffing shortages, strains on hospitals could be amplified,” Kanter said. “I think the same general guidance as we’ve given before applies. If there’s a better venue to address your health issue other than an ER, it’s probably worth your while to do that.”

4. Have fun

Finally, health officials say the pandemic has been difficult for many families and the holidays are a time to reconnect.

It’s important to focus on having fun, while also being mindful of how to be safe.

This story was produced by the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration between Mississippi Public Broadcasting, WBHM in Birmingham, Alabama, WWNO in New Orleans and NPR.

November 23, 2021

Health officials recommend tips for safe Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings | Local

With the first major holiday of the season next week, health officials are offering tips for staying safe from COVID-19 while gathering with loved ones or traveling.

Cowlitz County’s COVID-19 case rate is higher than it was this time last year, “which means it is important to continue taking steps to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy,” said Dr. Steven Krager, county deputy health officer.

The county recorded 322 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people from Oct. 28 to Nov. 10, compared to about 282 new cases per 100,000 the same time last year.

Cowlitz County recorded 29 new confirmed cases Friday, bringing the total to 12,592 confirmed and 1,526 probable cases. The county had 254 COVID-19 deaths.

Unlike last year, health officials aren’t discouraging all in-person gatherings.

“There are many ways we can more safely enjoy our favorite traditions,” Krager said. “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 if you’re age 5 years or older is a great start.”

Many health-care clinics and pharmacies offer the COVID-19 vaccines, including the pediatric doses for 5- to 11-year-olds and booster doses. People can find a location at www.vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov.

A health department report from October found COVID-19 rates and hospitalizations are lower among fully vaccinated residents.

As of Wednesday, 57.5{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of Cowlitz County residents had initiated vaccination and 52.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} were fully vaccinated.