What is going around in this flu season?
By Nara Chung
On October 24th, the Larimer County Department of Health Environment (LCDHE) published a spotlight of “Health Department Encourages Residents to Take Steps to Prevent Respiratory Viruses” in the Larimer County Website. In the article, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Viral Respiratory Disease Dashboard, there have been 215 hospitalizations for viral respiratory diseases in Colorado in October, the majority being for COVID-19.
What is unusual this year is that LCDHE’s Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager, Matt Bauer, says trends from other parts of the world may offer clues about what Colorado could experience this season.
“In Japan, flu arrived about five weeks earlier than usual and has spread widely, with far more cases than in recent years, resulting in over one hundred school closures throughout the country,” Bauer said.
Countries in the southern hemisphere, like Australia and New Zealand, also give an early look at what might be ahead for the U.S. Their flu seasons run from May through October, and both have reported much higher-than-normal levels of illness this year. Australia, for example, has reported more than 410,000 lab-confirmed flu cases, surpassing last year’s record.
Vaccine Recommendations:
Vaccination is safe and effective for preventing severe illness and hospitalization against common respiratory viruses. Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations are widely available at pharmacies, clinics, and primary-care offices, and most insurance companies cover the costs.
- RSV vaccines are recommended for adults 75 years and older, those with underlying conditions, and pregnant people during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy.
- Infants entering their first winter also need protection against RSV infection. If protection wasn’t provided during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy, infants are recommended to receive an immunizing injection during RSV season (October through March).
Dr. Paul Mayer, Larimer County’s Medical Officer suggests, “Now is the time to start thinking about the steps to take to do your best to stay healthy and stop the spread of respiratory viruses throughout our schools, workplaces, and community. Vaccination remains one of the best tools we have to decrease the risk of becoming severely ill, hospitalized or even dying from these common diseases.”
Apartments Regional Council
Region 5 (Aggie Family, International House, UV 1500/1600/1700)
We are thrilled to announce the formation of the Apartments Regional Council! Our mission is to build a connected, inclusive, and vibrant community where every resident feels welcomed, supported, and heard. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your experience in the apartment community is the best it can be. Throughout the year, we will be organizing events, leading initiatives, and addressing any concerns or suggestions you may have.
Meet Your Leadership Team Members
We are excited to introduce the leadership team that will be working with you all year long:
- President: Vidyavathi Kumar
- Engagement: Deneb Bello Cordova
- Finance: Hakan Tayfur
- Marketing: Alan (Alireza) Pirverdizade
- NRHH Representative: Vidyavathi Kumar
- RHA Senator: Nathaniel Toribio
To learn more about the leadership team, please visit this link Meet RC team Please feel free to reach out to us anytime!
Our Goals for the 2025-2026 Academic Year?
Fostering a Welcoming, Inclusive Community: We want to create a space where all voices are valued, and where residents can advocate for meaningful changes in their community.
Organizing Engaging Events: By hosting gatherings and events, we aim to bring residents together to foster friendships and a deeper sense of belonging.
Providing Platforms for Feedback: We encourage you to share any concerns or suggestions to help improve our communities.
Monthly Meetings
Our meetings are being held on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the University Village Center, 1600 W Plum Street. During these gatherings, you’re welcome to join us and participate in the Regional Council Leadership Team discussions; your input is valued!
Let’s Build a Stronger Community Together!
We’re excited to collaborate with you this year to create a community that feels like home for everyone. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at our upcoming meeting!
Leadership Team
Apartment Regional Council
CAM-Unity December
Winter Break Sustainability Guide
As we approach the end of the semester, here are a few simple sustainability tips to help you reduce waste, save energy, and return to a cleaner space in the new year.
Shutdown your room for the Break
Before leaving campus, take a moment to give your room a quick sustainability check. These small actions help lower campus energy usage and reduce waste:
- Unplug electronics and power strips to prevent unnecessary energy use.
- Clean out your mini fridge by composting leftovers or sharing food with friends.
- Take out your trash and recycling so you return to a clean space in January.
- Close blinds and adjust your thermostat setting to conserve energy.
Winter Closet Cleanout
Moving out in May can be stressful, often causing residents to throw out items they’d prefer to keep due to lack of space or time. If you’re headed home for winter break, consider bringing home anything you haven’t used this semester or won’t need in the spring. A small cleanout now can make your future move-out much easier and prevents usable items from ending up in the landfill.
Travel Sustainably
Whether you’re driving or flying home for break, here are some ways you can travel home sustainably:
- Bring an empty reusable water bottle through airport security and refill it at water stations
- Buy reusable travel sized toiletry containers instead of purchasing single-use products
- Pack your own bulk snacks to cut down on packaging waste
- Carpool or take public transportation, when possible, to reduce emissions