GOLF MANOR (5/10/2021) — Submitted by Mayor Stefan Densmore

COVID Update: I’ve included COVID data in my report in agreement with the Ohio Association of Mayors that all elected officials do whatever they can to convey the most accurate local information about COVID-19 to the public. [Data included in this portion of the report is provided by the Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency Emergency Operations Center].

The COVID  State-of Emergency Remains in Effect. The formula that the Governor is using to determine when to lift the State of Emergency is based on having less than 50 new cases every two weeks per 100k residents. Our current rate of new infections in Ohio is 147.9 per 100k residents (about 3x higher than what it needs to be to remove the State of Emergency). We’re doing better here in Hamilton County on average than the rest of the State: here in Hamilton County we are currently at 127.83 every two weeks per 100k residents. In my previous report we were at 137.99.

• Currently there are 2,900 active cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton County with an average of 81 new cases per day. And about ½ of our residents 16 years and older have received at least one dose or more of the vaccine.
• The practice of having large mass vaccination sites, like a Paul Brown Stadium, has shifted consequently to having more frequent small neighborhood clinics to make it easier for vaccine hesitant folks to get. 
• This week May 10-15 public health will be having mobile vaccine clinics in various locations including here in the Golf Manor municipal building this Wednesday the 12th from 10am until noon. Other nearby locations include: Silverton Transit Stop tomorrow (Tuesday) from 3pm to 6pm, Amberley Village Hall Thursday the 13th from 10am until noon, and Silverton Village Hall on Saturday 3pm to 6pm.
• In addition to Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Health, Kroger, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and CVS are all now offering walk-in appointments as well as scheduled appts for vaccination to anyone 18 years or older. 
• Rapid Response teams are available to bring the COVID vaccine to any homebound residents of Golf Manor. Any homebound individuals that need this should call 1-866-243-5678 to make the request. 
• Just under 25% of new cases are in folks 18 years old and under. Ages 12-15 expected to be approved for vaccination this week. Approval for ages 2-11 will be sought in September.
• The next regional “Get Out the Vax” campaign will be the weekend of May 22-23, whereupon bus rides are FREE courtesy of Metro and TANK if used to go get your vaccine– or for those not on a bus line, you can call 211 to get a free ride ride via LYFT. Council on Aging is also doing free rides for folks 60 years old and older.  (A list of providers and additional information can be found at https://healthcollab.org/vaccine-info/).

Mental Health Awareness Month. May is Mental Health Awareness month, which has been observed in the United States by Presidential Decree since 1949. The purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month is to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illness, the realities of living with these conditions, and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness.

1 in 20 adults experience a serious mental illness every year– in a village the size of Golf Manor, that is approximately 181 people per year. It is estimated that annually, in a village the size of Golf Manor, 361 individuals seek mental health help per year and another 361 individuals experience mental health problems but — for whatever reason — do not seek help. That is a potential total of 722 Golf Manor residents experiencing a mental health condition per year (which is 1 in 20 adults in the United States). These figures are derived from the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI). 

Mental Health crises are recognized to have increased over the past year during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The National Center for Disease Control (CDC) has identified a significant increase in anxiety and depression, as well as alcohol and drug abuse, and suicide, during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have a separate report highlighting Mental Health Awareness month at https://www.golfmanoroh.gov/mental-health-awareness-month/ which includes more information and links.

National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. Thank you to Golf Manor Police Chief, Christopher Campbell for making me aware of the upcoming observance of National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, which recognizes the courage and selfless service of police officers that have died in the line of duty. I have a prepared statement, and a proclamation honoring this day, which can be found here.

Please reach out to me with any of your ideas, comments or questions. To our staff and elected officials, thank you for your service to the community.

This report is respectfully submitted to the residents of Golf Manor. Thank you for the honor of being your Mayor. 

Stefan Densmore, Mayor, Village of Golf Manor