Health briefs: Free COVID-19 home test kits available

        The Wood County District Public Library is distributing free COVID-19 Home Test Kits for the State of Ohio.
        Patrons who would like to pick up kits may call 419-352-5050 to request them via Curbside Service, Monday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit wcdpl.org/curbside-pickup for more details.
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        The Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Center also has free Rapid COVID-19 tests available, provided through a collaboration with the Ottawa County Health Department.
        Tests are available by appointment only by calling 419-732-2769. In order to access the test, users will need to first download an app and proceed with the step-by-step instructions that will be provided in the test kits. Results are available within 15 minutes.
        Call the Salvation Army at 419-732-2769 for more details.
 
“Resilient Roots” workshops available
        The Ironwood Center, located in Maumee, is offering free mental health workshops for Toledo-area frontline workers. Funding for the workshops is being provided through a Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County Community Grant
        The three-session workshops will provide tools to help participants learn strategies to manage emotions and reactions during a pandemic, including:
        • Communication and boundary setting to ensure physical and mental health;
        • Maintaining and improving resiliency through identifying strengths and building coping skills for moving forward.
        Upcoming dates for the workshops, which run from 1-2 p.m., include:
        • May 12, 19 and 26.
        • June 16, 23 and 30.
        • July 14, 21 and 28.
        • Aug. 11, 18 and 25.
        • Sept. 15, 22 and 29.
        • Oct. 13, 20 and 27.
        • Nov. 3, 10 and 17.
        Sessions will take place via Zoom and are limited to 25 participants per month. Sign up at www.ironwoodcenter.com/resilient-roots or call 419-740-3052.
 
Virtual Dementia &
Alzheimer’s Program
        Magruder Hospital will host a virtual program, “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” Monday, April 19, at noon.
        The Alzheimer’s Association will present the program, which will address Alzheimer’s impact, stages, resources and treatments.
        For more info or to RSVP, call 1-800-272-3900 and a link to the program will be emailed.
        Health screenings
        There are still a few appointments available for Magruder’s monthly lab screenings on Saturday, April 24. The screening includes a basic metabolic panel (glucose, BUN/creatinine, calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, CO2, etc.), a lipid profile (total cholesterol/LDL/HDL/triglycerides), and a COVID antibody IgG test. Screenings are offered between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The cost is $20.
        Appointments are required and can be made by calling 419-732-4061.

“A Fresh Start” fundraiser set
        Serenity Farm Equestrian Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit charity located in Luckey which provides equine-assisted opportunities for healing, growth and learning, will hold its first fundraising event, a 2K5K Fun Run/Walk/Drive/Ride, Saturday, May 8 at the Pemberville Fire Hall, 104 E. Front St.
        “Like many small businesses, we are looking to rebuild our programming, as COVID-19 had a direct impact on what we could offer during 2020 and even now in 2021,” said Deb Callaway, volunteer coordinator/administrative support staff member.
        “The theme for the event is, ‘A Fresh Start,’ which represents what we hope many of our community partners will experience as we emerge from what was undoubtedly a hard year for many,” she said.
        The 5K will begin at 10 a.m.; the 2K Walk will step off at 10:20 a.m. Light refreshments will be available for pickup. COVID-19 restrictions, including masks and social distancing will be required.
        The registration fee is $20. Register online at www.serenityfarm.org/store/p19/2K5K_Registration.html/.
        There will also be an online auction, with bidding available April 27-May 7 on biddingowl.com.
        Learn more at www.serenityfarm.org, www.facebook.com/serenityfarmohio or www.instagram.com/serenity_farm_luckeyohio.
 
FIGHT Fentanyl
act introduced
        Ohio Congressmen Steve Chabot (R-OH1) and Bob Latta (R-OH5) have introduced legislation to provide the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) the ability to criminalize the manufacturing, distribution or possession of fentanyl-like drugs.
        Specifically, H.R. 1910, the Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting (FIGHT) Fentanyl Act will permanently list all fentanyl analog drugs as schedule I controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act.
        Three years ago, the DEA temporarily scheduled fentanyl analogs as controlled substances. Last year, Congress passed a temporary extension that continued to criminalize fentanyl analogs until May 6, 2021. By making this designation permanent, the FIGHT Fentanyl Act will end the necessity to continue passing temporary extensions.
        “Fentanyl is 80-100 times stronger than morphine,” said Latta. “According to the Ohio Department of Health Violence and Injury Prevention Section (VIPS), this extremely powerful, addictive, and dangerous substance was involved in 76 percent of overdose deaths in Ohio in 2019. If we don’t act together now to fight fentanyl, we will continue to see thousands of Americans lose their lives for years to come.
        “The FIGHT Fentanyl Act permanently lists fentanyl as a schedule I controlled substance so that we can better prevent fentanyl from destroying and taking even more American lives. I am encouraged this bill builds on previous work in Congress to stop the spread of fentanyl in our communities,” Latta said.
        Latta and Chabot introduced nearly identical legislation in the 116th Congress.