PARTYGOERS IGNORING COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES ARE PUTTING THEMSELVES & OTHERS AT RISK!
August 11, 2020
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINES FOR CHILDREN AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
August 26, 2020
Students can ask questions & receive answers from our health professionals via social media
Have a public health question? Just “Ask a Health Educator.” That’s what the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) is calling its new educational campaign that provides children or students the opportunity to ask our experts questions they have regarding any public health topic.
“The Ocean County Health Department learned that the COVID-19 pandemic has students and children extremely interested in not only the issues surrounding COVID-19, but also a variety of other public health issues as well,” said Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “That’s why we’re excited to unveil the “Ask a Health Educator” campaign. Now children have direct access to the professionals that work in the public health field every day.”
Late summer typically has the OCHD public health team gearing up for the school year by scheduling an assortment of educational programs for K-12 students in the classroom. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has postponed or cancelled many of those dates until further notice.
“The programs and topics we discussed in the classroom focused on so many different public health issues that were relevant to students of all ages,” explained, Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “With the pandemic, we’ve had to amend our school program strategies and find ways to improvise while still providing key public health education for children. We believe the new “Ask a Health Educator” campaign will satisfy some of that need.”
Regenye continued by pointing out that any public health question children have is welcome. Maybe it’s a COVID-19 related question such as hand washing or wearing a mask. Someone may be interested to learn more about the flu or other diseases, bullying, internet safety, smoking or depression. The OCHD health educators will get them the answers they need.
How does it work? It’s simple. Children or their parents can ask a question on the OCHD Facebook page or email the question to healthed@ochd.org. The students question will be featured in a video post on Facebook where the health educator will provide the answer. A new video segment will be posted on Facebook every Friday and spotlight new questions. It’s just that easy!
“The “Ask a Health Educator” campaign can be used by children curious about public health topics or teachers can use it as a classroom resource or project,” Regenye said. “It’s educational, it’s interactive, and it’s fun. The OCHD is pleased to offer the “Ask a Health Educator” campaign and we’re optimistic children will enjoy this new and exciting learning tool.”
The OCHD recommends children to always seek permission from a parent before using the internet or accessing any social media website. For more information regarding “Ask a Health Educator,” please visit our website at www.ochd.org.
