As the temperatures turn colder, many of us are spending more time indoors. Colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses are more common in colder months. People are inside more often, allowing viruses to pass easily from one person to another. And the cold, dry air may help them spread. In addition, holidays are coming up when many of us will gather with family, friends, co-workers and loved ones.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. It’s the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia in children younger than age one in the United States.
Watch now as Dr. Calandra Green, Oakland County Health Officer, and Dr. Russell Faust, Oakland County Medical Director, discuss RSV and how you can protect yourself and others:
It has been said that October was the big spender, with the paycheck going to bird migrations, fantastic tree colors, and the fluff of milkweed pods floating freely in the wind. It was also the perfect weather for Painted Turtles to bask in sunlight, and that’s what they were doing. Some of them were even perfectly positioned to be captured by my camera, others coated with duckweed, slipped back into the water with barely a splash at my not-so-stealthy approach.
Donations for the 35th annual Coats for the Cold coat drive are being accepted until November 30th, 2022. Sponsored by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, gently-used or new coats can be dropped off at one of their drop-off sites around Oakland County. Donated coats will be sent to various local charitable organizations who distribute the coats to community members in need.
On Veterans Day, we honor those who have served America in both war and peace, and have made incredible sacrifices to protect our nation. Many Oakland County cities, villages, and townships host Veterans Day events to honor America’s armed forces. Use our list below to observe Veterans Day 2022 and pay tribute at an event near you. There is also a list of Veteran and military discounts available on Veterans Day and all year long, as well as services and events available from the Oakland County Veterans’ Services team.
Nov. 11: Free Park Entry for ALL to Oakland County Parks: Addison Oaks County Park, Highland Oaks County Park, Independence Oaks County Park, Lyon Oaks County Park and Lyon Oaks Dog Park, Orion Oaks County Park, Orion Oaks Dog Park, Red Oaks Dog Park and Rose Oaks County Park.
The millage funds new service to key areas, including major employment centers, health care campuses and local colleges and universities.
The millage will expand reservation-based service – flexible transportation for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans who need to make essential trips, such as doctor’s appointments and grocery shopping.
Waterford Senior Center Coordinator Erin Asdell talks about the importance of access to public transportation:
“When you say ‘I don’t need a bus, I have a car,’ what about your neighbor? What about your family member? What about your mother, your grandmother? How are they getting to medical appointments? Who is helping them? WOTA has just been such a wonderful solution in our community.”
-Waterford Senior Center Coordinator Erin Asdell
The millage will expand app-based service – on-demand transportation open to the general public, using small vehicles.
Funds from the millage will support services that specifically benefit Oakland County residents and businesses.
Local service details will be developed collaboratively with members of the public, community organizations, transit providers, local governments and county leadership.
Public transit user Nizam Ifaz shares why he rides the bus instead of using his car:
“The reason I still use public transportation even though I have a car is because sometimes it is a lot easier to avoid parking when you use a bus to get there. Also, a lot of times you can save a lot of gas and money. The best thing that I like about riding the bus is during the winter time, when I would have to walk somewhere, I could use the bus, and it protects me from the weather. It’s just a comfy place where I can do homework or listen to my class lectures while I’m going to my destination.”
-Public Transit User Nizam Ifaz
Public transit user Alexander Selsley talks about why he enjoys riding the bus:
“My favorite thing about riding the bus, if I had to pick one thing, which is actually kind of hard, is meeting people and finding out about things. We live in a really cool city with a lot of interesting people, and I’ve had some great interactions with random people on the bus, and I’ve learned about some interesting events that I’ve ended up going to.”
-Public Transit User Alexander Selsley
The .95 rate will cost the owner of a home or business valued at $200,000 (taxable value of $100,000) about $9 a month.
Funds from the millage will be fully transparent, annually audited and will support transit services that specifically benefit Oakland County residents and businesses.
