Media Coverage for December 2020

^{KFOX - Dec. 25, 2020}

Locally, experts say they are most concerned about air travel. “I worry still about air travel because there is a fair amount of crowding again in the airports,” Dr. Ed Michelson, the Chair of Emergency Medicine at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center of El Paso. “There's lining up where you're near people and obviously the time you spend in the aircraft. If you travel on an airplane, my suggestion is to wear a mask. 100% of the time, while you're on the plane. “ As for protecting yourself while using bathrooms or rest stops, the CDC says washing your hands is critical and recommends bringing hand sanitizer with you, in case at any point you don't have access to soap and water.

^{El Paso Matters - Dec. 24, 2020}

COVID-19 cases in El Paso have shown a promising decrease in the weeks following one of the deadliest surge of cases in the country, but health officials are still concerned there may be another spike if families gather over the upcoming holidays. Dr. Armando Meza, chief of infectious diseases at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, answered El Paso Matters’ questions about what he has learned about COVID-19 and what the community should keep in mind during the winter months.

^{Twitter CBS 4 - Dec. 23, 2020}

A @TTUHSCEP doctor says El Paso could reverse all our positive progress if residents don't stay safe over the holidays. That plus new info about the monoclonal antibody treatment being extended in El Paso, below:

^{El Diario de Chihuahua - Dec. 22, 2020}

Casi 40 estudiantes de la Escuela de Enfermería Hunt y la Escuela de Medicina Foster en el Centro de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Tecnológica de Texas en El Paso se ofrecen como voluntarios para administrar la vacuna Covid-19 a personal de atención médica en el Centro Médico Universitario de El Paso, (UMC). “Aproximadamente una semana antes del comienzo, nos notificaron sobre la necesidad de voluntarios”, dijo Mariana Madrid, quien se graduó el pasado fin de semana con una Licenciatura en Ciencias en Enfermería. Los egresados voluntarios pusieron de lado el tiempo con su familia y vacaciones de fin de año para realizar las labores de inmunización.

^{KTSM - Dec. 22, 2020}

Nearly 40 students from the Hunt School of Nursing and the Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso volunteered to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers in the Borderland. Nursing students did rotations at local hospitals taking care of COVID-19 patients. “About a week before commencement, we were notified about the need for volunteers,” said Mariana Madrid, who graduated this past weekend with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “To represent the Hunt School of Nursing in my last few days as a student was so meaningful and I wanted to give back to our health care heroes.”

^{Twittter KFOX - Dec. 21, 2020}

ICYMI: This week's #BuiltInTheBorderland focused on the "transformational" donations made to three #ElPaso nonprofits. I speak to @ywcaelpaso and @elpasofoodbank. I also talk to @TTUHSCEP about "wellness tent" for frontline healthcare workers.

^{KTSM - Dec. 21, 2020}

More Moderna vaccines are headed to El Paso than Pfizer as of now, some health experts say it can be because the Moderna is more convenient and easier to store. “This vaccine is going to be easier in the way it is handled and stored than the Pfizer vaccine,” Dr. Armando Meza, Chief of Infectious Diseases, TTUHSC El Paso, said. As we’ve reported, the Pfizer vaccine must be kept at extreme cold temperatures in an ultra-cold freezer or else it will spoil and be useless. Dr. Meza said Moderna’s vaccine can just be stored in a regular refrigerator that most clinics and providers already have for other vaccines.

^{KFOX - Dec. 19, 2020}

A new group of nurses is ready to help El Paso in the fight against COVID-19. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center graduated its fall 2020 class after they faced a variety of challenges while navigating their studies in the midst of a pandemic.

^{El Paso Herald-Post - Dec. 18, 2020}

Eighty-three students who’ve completed the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso’s Hunt School of Nursing will be recognized during a commencement and pinning ceremony this weekend. During the ceremony, graduates will be presented with a nursing pin by a person of their choosing, usually a friend or family member. The time-honored tradition is a symbol of newly graduated nurses entering the nursing profession. This year is especially noteworthy as Hunt School of Nursing students have earned their degree during a worldwide pandemic. As part of their education, they completed clinical rotations in local hospitals, caring for patients with COVID-19.

^{KVIA - Dec. 18, 2020}

Dr. Melanie Longhurst, a psychologist with Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, said there are affordable ways to show friends and family you care, such as making homemade gifts using supplies you already have at home. "There are some gifts that I think sometimes people can make that are more meaningful to the person who is receiving the gift than I think something that was store-bought," she said.

^{YouTube KRWG News - Dec. 17, 2020}

Issues and Answers: COVID-19 in the Borderland

^{Twitter - Dec. 17,2020}

Dr. Edward A. Michelson from @TTUHSCElPasoEM joins us in #FactsOverFear

^{KVIA - Dec. 17, 2020}

Health experts nationwide are finding their own ways to fight fear and misinformation. "If you are high-risk for severe Covid, getting the vaccine is your best option," said Dr. Armando Meza, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. "There is no comparison to getting sick." For many, their concern lies in the speed at which the vaccine was developed. Dr. Meza said the same trials have been done for the coronavirus vaccine as any other vaccine for other diseases. However for the COVID vaccine, those trials were done at the same time.

^{Activa 1420 - Dec. 15, 2020}

Llegan las primeras vacunas a UMC en El Paso. TTUHSC El Paso ayudara a ponerlas.

^{El Paso Locomotives - twitter - Dec. 15, 2020}

Yesterday’s food delivery with Ozzy and Chick-fil-a at Cielo Vista Mall for @ttuhscep #HeartOfGoal

^{KFOX - Dec. 15, 2020}

UMC received more than 2,900 doses. The hospital will continue to administer the vaccine to workers on Wednesday. "So far the vaccine has only had local side effects and systemic side effects that don’t last longer than two days," Dr. Armando Meza, Chief Infectious Disease Specialist, with Texas Tech Health Sciences Center said. "Those symptoms can be fatigue, headache, and fever." Doctor Meza encourages everyone to get the vaccine once available. He says even if you feel symptoms, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

^{El Paso-Herald Post - Dec. 15, 2020}

Only hours after the arrival of the package, the first staff members received the much-anticipated vaccination. Hospital officials said Crystal Molina, was the very first El Pasoan to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Of the more than 2,900 doses, UMC has asked its partners at El Paso Children’s Hospital, Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, the Medical Examiner’s Office, affiliated community physicians, and emergency medical technicians, to provide names of frontline healthcare staff to be vaccinated at UMC. These healthcare workers will be vaccinated throughout the next week at UMC.

^{KVIA - Dec. 15, 2020}

The first batch of doses will be used for nurses, doctors and others who are exposed daily to the virus. The first shots at UMC were given on Tuesday afternoon to five nurses at the hospital, with the attending physician describing the vaccine as "liquid gold.” In addition to its own staff, UMC said it will also vaccinate front-line staff from El Paso Children’s Hospital, Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso and the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office.

^{Telemundo 48 - Dec. 14, 2020}

El Centro Médico Universitario (UMC) de El Paso está haciendo preparativos para la vacunación de su personal de atención médica de primera línea después de la recepción anticipada de más de 2,900 dosis de la vacuna contra el virus COVID-19. De las cerca de 3,000 dosis que se esperan, UMC ha pedido a sus socios en el Hospital Infantil de El Paso, Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, la Oficina del Médico Forense, los médicos comunitarios afiliados y los técnicos médicos de emergencia, que proporcionen los nombres del personal de atención médica de primera línea para vacunarse en las instalaciones de UMC.

^{El Diario de El Paso - Dec. 14, 2020}

Este lunes, jugadores del equipo El Paso Locomotive FC y su mascota Ozzy the Bat distribuyeron comidas a los trabajadores de la salud en Texas Tech Physicians de El Paso y University Medical Center de El Paso, como una manera de honrar su heroísmo. El personal médico de primera línea ha manifestado dedicación, compromiso y profesionalismo durante meses durante la actual crisis de atención médica. Acciones como la del equipo Locomotives FC es una muestra del cariño que los trabajadores de hospitales reciben en El Paso.

^{El Paso-Herald Post - Dec. 14, 2020}

On Monday, thanks to a gift from El Paso Locomotive FC, meals from Chick-fil-A Cielo Vista were delivered to Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso and University Medical Center of El Paso. El Paso Locomotive FC team members and mascot Ozzy the Bat distributed meals to health care workers to recognize and thank them for providing care for COVID-19 patients. “These front-line heroes have shown their dedication, commitment and professionalism for months during the ongoing health care crisis,” club officials shared.

^{PBS El Paso - Dec. 11, 2020}

The American Heart Association Panel: Dr. Ogechika Alozie, Infectious Disease Specialist, HCA Dr. Armando Meza, Infectious Disease Specialist, TTUHSC Volunteer: Kristen Helmsdoerfer

^{El Paso-Herald Post - Dec. 11, 2020}

UMC officials strongly reminded residents that vaccinations for the general public are not available, at this time but are expected to begin in the first two months of 2021. Of the more than 2,900 doses expected to arrive, UMC has asked its partners at El Paso Children’s Hospital, Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, the Medical Examiner’s Office, affiliated community physicians, and emergency medical technicians, to provide names of frontline healthcare staff to be vaccinated at UMC.

^{KFOX - Dec. 11, 2020}

All departments received forms for their employees to fill out. Base on their positions, the employees are put into priority categories of Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 -- in that order of vaccination. All forms had to be returned this week. Of the more than 2900 vaccines we have received, we are making sure our Associates, our partners at El Paso Children's Hospital and Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso receive vaccinations. We are currently ironing out logistics on which days, depending on when the vaccine arrives.

^{El Paso Herald-Post - Dec.10, 2020}

Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso health care heroes ate ‘on the house’ last week thanks to Salt + Honey Bakery Café, as they generously provided 50 meals each day the front line crews. Meals were distributed to health care workers at TTP El Paso’s Department of Emergency Medicine on November 30 and TTP El Paso’s Department of Internal Medicine on December 4.

^{KTSM - Dec. 10, 2020}

Salt+Honey Bakery Café provided 50 meals each day to Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso health care workers from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4. The meals were individually packaged and given to health care professionals whose long shifts and busy schedules often left medical staff with no time to purchase food for themselves throughout the day. “We recently received a generous grant from the Business Solutions Center at the El Paso Chamber of Commerce,” said Maggie Asfahani, owner of Salt+Honey Bakery Café. “This grant allows us to not only continue operations and keep staff employed, but it also gives us the opportunity to support those on the front lines of this pandemic. We want to show our appreciation in whatever way we can.”

^{KVIA - Dec. 10, 2020}

While some individuals may be more hesitant, a local infectious disease expert sought to dispel common vaccine concerns, such as the fear the vaccine was developed too quickly. “Most of the (vaccine) studies require a step approach for the information to come back, analyze it and make a decision whether the vaccine is going to be good for continuation studies,” said Dr. Armando Meza, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. “What they decided to do, these pharmaceutical companies, is to do the Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 almost at the same time.” Dr. Meza also credits the rapid development of the genetic profile of the virus for helping speed up the process.

^{Twitter - Dec. 9, 2020}

Now more than ever, our community's strength is important to #SlowTheSpread! Here's how our local nurses stay strong while reducing the risk: #ReduceTheRisk #ReduceTheRisk915 #ReduceElRiesgo915 #COVID #SlowTheSpread @TTUHSCEP @umcelpaso @Thprovidence @ElPasoChildrens

^{KVIA - Dec. 8, 2020}

Dr. Richard Lange, president of Texas Tech in El Paso, said each freezer can hold up to 110,000 individual doses of the vaccine. Once the vaccine arrives, Texas Tech will be distributing the vaccine to their students, teachers and residents. "When we get this vaccine, we are going to be ready to administer it the next day. I meant things are moving that quickly," Lange said.

^{KVIA - Dec. 7, 2020}

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso held a digital conversation with front-line healthcare heroes Monday evening. The event marked the first edition of the 'Tech Table Talk,' a virtual series hosted by the university. You can watch the entire event in the video player above.

^{Facebook - Dec. 6, 2020}

Frontline health care workers are exhausted and doing all they can to save lives. In partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso , we're asking the communities we serve to continue practicing COVID-19 precautions: mask up, social distance and wash your hands.

^{KVIA - Dec. 4, 2020}

Flu season is ramping up nationwide. As of Friday, Walgreens data showed the El Paso/Las Cruces region ranked fourth highest among U.S. market for the number of prescriptions written for antiviral medication used to treat the flu. Dr. Armando Meza, the Chief of Infectious Diseases at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, said he believes some COVID patients might be starting flu treatments before they receive a diagnosis for either virus.

^{The New Star - Dec. 2, 2020}

Beverly Lewis and Tom Malmay with the Disaster Recovery Workshop also told the board about learning sessions on how to help children with disaster recovery developed by the Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso.

^{Houston Public Media - Dec. 2, 2020}

In El Paso at least 905 people have died with nearly 490 additional deaths under investigation. Health authorities warn holiday gatherings could become super spreader events. Dr. Armando Meza, chief of infectious Diseases at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in El Paso is also emphasizing that message. "Families in the Hispanic population where we really like to meet, and we like to hug each other and interact and all that, it is an unfortunate situation because it puts us at a very high risk for becoming infected," said Meza. He knows that family dynamic well. He has relatives in both El Paso and Juarez.

^{KFOX - Dec. 2, 2020}

El Paso has begun treating some COVID-19 patients with a new monoclonal antibody infusion, called bamlanivimab. A wing of the El Paso Convention Center's makeshift hospital is dedicated entirely to this new outpatient treatment. Dr. Edward Michelson, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, said while treatments are underway, there hasn’t been enough time to gather data on the treatment’s effect.

^{KFOX - Dec. 2, 2020}

A coronavirus vaccine for adults may just be weeks away from getting approved in the U.S., but a vaccine for children may take years.“Most of the focus of vaccine development against COVID has been in adults with the objective of protecting against severe infection,” said Dr. Glenn Fennelly Chair of Pediatrics at Texas Tech El Paso and Chief Transformation Officer at El Paso Children’s Hospital.