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Drop, Cover & Hold On: Get 7 Tips to Prepare You and Your Family for an Earthquake

This year’s International ShakeOut Day was Oct. 17. Millions of people worldwide participated in earthquake drills at work, school, or home. October also marks the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which devastated the Bay Area. That 6.9 magnitude shock was responsible for 63 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries. Recently, Listos California, the state’s disaster preparedness program, partnered with Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media to provide vital information to help Californians be prepared in the event of an earthquake.

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Image Courtesy of Listos California.
Image Courtesy of Listos California.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

 This year’s International ShakeOut Day was Oct. 17. Millions of people worldwide participated in earthquake drills at work, school, or home. October also marks the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which devastated the Bay Area. That 6.9 magnitude shock was responsible for 63 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries.

Recently, Listos California, the state’s disaster preparedness program, partnered with Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media to provide vital information to help Californians be prepared in the event of an earthquake.

“Preparing can be about securing your space, having an emergency plan, minimizing your hardship after the fact by having important documents organized and in place,” said Amy Palmer, Deputy Director of Crisis Communications and Public Affairs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).

The experts say there are seven key safety steps to take to make sure you and your family are prepared for an earthquake:

  • Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing movable items.
  • Plan to be safe by creating an emergency plan.
  • Organize emergency supplies in convenient locations.
  • Minimize financial hardship by considering insurance and organizing important documents.
  • Drop, Cover and Hold On when shaking begins.
  • Improve Safety after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary or helping others.
  • Reconnect and restore daily life by rebuilding community, and reconnecting with others.

“We’ve had a number of quakes this year where our system of statewide sensors is giving people a significant number of seconds before the shaking starts,” said Palmer. “The key for everyone in California is to make sure that you know the phrase: ‘drop, cover, and hold on’ so that you can take action when you get an alert on your phone, or you feel the very first indications of shaking.”

To further prepare Californians for earthquakes, Cal OES hosted a tour focused on providing life-saving tips, including a simulator that can demonstrate the power of up to a 7.0 magnitude quake.

“You need to take action upon feeling shaking or receiving an earthquake early warning alert and that means truly drop, cover, hold on,” said Jose Lara, Chief of the Seismic Hazards Branch at Cal OES. “We really encourage you to practice that on your own with your all types of settings. Because without this muscle memory when shaking arrives at your location, you may not take that protective action that you need to stay safe.”

There are also several ‘myths’ about earthquake survival the campaign aims to dismiss. One is that standing in a doorway is a safe measure during an earthquake. This is NOT a safe measure due to modern building codes that have strengthened other areas in homes and commercial buildings. Another myth is that running outside is safer during an earthquake. Due to the danger of falling objects that could strike you on the way out, running outside is not encouraged.

If you’re driving during an earthquake, the best practice is to pull over if you can and wait out the shaking inside of your vehicle while looking out for debris falling onto roadways in mountainous areas.

Another critical tool, the MyShake App, connects users with the Earthquake Early Warning System designed to give residents warnings seconds before shaking starts.

California Black Media

Ahead of Nov. Election, Event to Check Pulse of California’s Political Landscape

The Public Policy Institute of California is hosting a “2024 Speaker Series on California’s Future,” a preview event outlining the political landscape of the state and the nation ahead of the upcoming November elections. The event, which will be held Sept. 26 from 12 noon to 1 p.m., will include a panel of prominent political journalists who will assess the mood of the electorate and discuss themes and issues that are likely to shape the election outcome in November.

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PPIC
PPIC

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The Public Policy Institute of California is hosting a “2024 Speaker Series on California’s Future,” a preview event outlining the political landscape of the state and the nation ahead of the upcoming November elections.

The event, which will be held Sept. 26 from 12 noon to 1 p.m.,   will include a panel of prominent political journalists who will assess the mood of the electorate and discuss themes and issues that are likely to shape the election outcome in November.

The welcome and opening remarks of the event will be led by Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the president and chief executive officer of the PPIC. The discussion will be moderated by FOX 11 news anchor Elex Michaelson, journalists joining the conversation include senior political writer Joe Garofoli of the San Francisco Chronicle, national politics reporter Astead Herndon of the The New York Times, political correspondent for KQED Marisa Lagos, and senior political reporter POLITICO Melanie Mason.

A statewide survey by the PPIC revealed key findings that highlighted people’s concerns regarding candidates of choice for the 2024 presidential election, the 10 state propositions on the ballot, and the financial direction of the state in the next 12 months.

Since Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party standard bearer, 6 in 10 California likely voters support the Democratic presidential ticket compared to the Republican party and other candidates.

“Californians’ support for the Democratic presidential candidate — and partisans’ overwhelming preference for their party’s candidates — were the consistent trends before Harris replaced Biden,” the survey report stated.

Among the 10 ballot measures, approximately 71% of voters are expected to vote yes on Proposition 36, allowing felony charges and increased sentences for some drug and theft crimes.

According to the survey, the majority of voters, “think it is a good thing that a majority of voters can make laws and change public policies by passing initiatives.” Voters agree that initiatives on the ballot, “bring up important public policy issues that the Governor and Legislature have not adequately addressed.”

The survey also revealed that nearly half of voters think the state and country are headed in the wrong direction and expect financial struggles in the next 12 months.

The event will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.

The PPIC Speaker Series on California’s Future invites thought leaders and changemakers to address challenges in the state. Residents can visit the PPIC website for more information and register for the event available online and in person.

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California Black Media

Not So Sweet: California State Health Campaign Highlights Dangers of Sugary Drinks

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and CalFresh Healthy Living, the state’s nutrition assistance program, recently launched a health campaign to illuminate the risks of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and the health benefits of hydrating with water. The “Not So Sweet Side” initiative encourages families to make informed decisions about the drinks they choose and to be aware of the sugar content present in them.

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iStock Photo
iStock Photo

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and CalFresh Healthy Living, the state’s nutrition assistance program, recently launched a health campaign to illuminate the risks of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and the health benefits of hydrating with water.

The “Not So Sweet Side” initiative encourages families to make informed decisions about the drinks they choose and to be aware of the sugar content present in them.

According to the campaign, consuming too much sugar has been associated with an increase in chronic conditions and diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay. African Americans face a higher risk of developing diabetes mellitus, heart disease and tooth decay.

Dr. Redieat Assefa is a pediatrician at Riverside University Health Systems. She spoke at a webinar hosted by California Black Media introducing the campaign to ethnic media publishers across California.

Assefa underscored the importance of reading labels on sugary drinks you may consume and how to identify drinks that contain too much.

“When reading a nutrition label, there are a few key components that I would like us to consider. The first thing is the serving size of your sugary drinks. Is it one can? Is it one bottle? Then you go down to your total carbohydrates, which can be broken down to your fibers and sugary, added sugars or non-added sugars.”

To simplify the process, compare the grams of sugar in a box of Apple Juice with preservatives that could be around 40 grams of sugar and that of natural juice which averages around 6 grams.

Assefa also added that research indicates that African American women who drink one to two sugary beverages daily have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Sugary drinks can lead to high blood pressure, hype, and hypertension, contributing to a greater risk of heart disease among African American young adult men who, on average, consume sugary beverages at a higher level than other groups.

Assefa pointed out that there are about 10 teaspoons of sugar in a single can of soda.

Dr. Maxmillian Chambers, a dental professional and public health advocate, also spoke on the panel promoting the campaign highlighting the impact sugary drinks can have on dental health.

“As we continue this dialogue, it’s crucial to turn our focus to oral health, a key component of our overall well-being that doesn’t often receive the attention it deserves. Sugary drinks are a significant contributor to tooth decay. Research shows that drinking more than two eight-ounce servings of sugary beverages per week can drastically increase the risk of cavities. And for our youth, particularly those aged 9 to 18, sugary drinks are primary sources of added sugar in their diets.”

Lakeysha Sowunmi, a mom and public health advocate who has worked to influence state policy and mobilize communities, including churches, around health issues, said, “I work with families on a budget, for example, and help them understand CalFresh and the resources that are available. We talk about portion control. We talk about feeding big families.”

The CalFresh Healthy Living Program is led by CDPH’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch. To explore recipes, resources, and tips for making healthier beverage choices, visit http://uncoverhealthyhabits.com/

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California Black Media

New California Law Will Protect Students During Extreme Weather

On Sept. 22, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will protect students from extreme weather conditions by requiring the California Department of Education to develop guidelines for school districts to implement during weather patterns harmful to student health. Authored by Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), “Yahushua’s Law” or Senate Bill 1248 addresses an extreme heat-related fatality in Lake Elsinore. During the summer of 2023, a student died after participating in physical education suffered extreme heat-related illness.

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Yahushua Robinson
Yahushua Robinson

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

 On Sept. 22, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will protect students from extreme weather conditions by requiring the California Department of Education to develop guidelines for school districts to implement during weather patterns harmful to student health.

Authored by Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), “Yahushua’s Law” or Senate Bill 1248 addresses an extreme heat-related fatality in Lake Elsinore.  During the summer of 2023, a student died after participating in physical education suffered extreme heat-related illness.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Sen. Hurtado stated last Spring. “I commend the family of Yahushua Robinson, the twelve-year student who lost his life due to heat related illness during on-campus physical education, for lending their emotional strength and compassion for others in order to help ensure that no other student loses their life this way.”

Supporters of the legislation say the lack of uniform guidelines and protocols across schools and school districts in California intensifies the issue, creating an urgent need for safeguards to ensure student safety during extreme weather conditions.

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