DOWNIEVILLE - For over 15 years, Sally Easley has worked as a nurse in critical care in a level-one trauma center. In March of 2022, Easley became employed with Sierra County. During the week, she performs various duties as a Senior Public Health Nurse for Sierra County Human Services. Easley continues to put in hours at a hospital during the weekends to keep specific skills up to date and stay connected and "in the know" of the fast and ever-changing world of medicine.

This past Friday, Nov. 18, Sierra City's John Smail was one of several Sierra County residents to receive a vaccination from Easley at the Sierra County Human Services building in Downieville. Administering flu shots and covid boosting vaccines are Easley’s top priorities, as they are for many community members who fear illnesses typical for this time of year.

Though the flu shot campaign ramped up near the end of September, folks wondering if they are too late to come to the poking party need not fear. Concerned citizens are strongly encouraged not to miss her return visit to the Downieville Health and Human Services building on Dec. 9. Four strains of the flu virus can wreak havoc on a person resulting in illness, hospitalization, and even death. A little prevention can go a long way.

Easley's team visited the Downieville and Loyalton schools on Oct. 4 to administer the flu vaccine to students whose parents signed permission slips. The transmission of Respiratory Syncytial Viral infection (RSV) is concerning as these flu-like illnesses are known to increase in January yet are already adversely affecting the pediatric population. The fruits of receiving the flu shot, as with other offered vaccinations, include a shortened length of time being sick, a reduction in the severity of the illness with the bonus of getting previously ill children back to school sooner and physically recovered adults back to the workforce in a timelier fashion.

Regarding COVID, Easley advised, "At least one Booster following the primary series is recommended for the most updated vaccine, the Bivalent Booster." Shingles is a contagious disease for anyone, but people 50 years of age and older are highly recommended to receive a Shingles vaccine.

Tax dollars are at work, and Easley and the team have been highly productive in securing Sierra County folks with the best possible service of medical resources. When the bivalent vaccine became available, they started having weekly COVID clinics in Loyalton and Downieville. Once a month, seniors at the community center are visited and provided blood pressure checks if desired. At the First Annual Senior Health Fair, the Oral Health, Emergency Preparedness, Public Health, Social Services, and Eligibility Programs presented information on preventive services, in addition to the vaccinations, available through the county to vulnerable populations.

In carrying out her duties in serving the community as a Senior Public Health Nurse, one of the biggest changes Sally Easley has encountered throughout her tenure is the dialogue exchanged between everyone around her.

One can only presume Easley has heard every opinion on vaccines known to man as she drives all over the county simply doing her job. Outside working hours, Easley finds reprieve from the chatter of medical politics while spending time with her animal buddy, a milk cow named "Alice." Despite having to milk Alice in the cold dark weather with her four-year-old holding the flashlight, I speculate this activity offers a "grounding" from the influx of opinions on vaccinations from the entire political spectrum. After John Smail received his vaccination, it was my turn. Nurse Sally Easley administered the flu shot in one arm and a COVID Booster in the other. The message from our health department is the same. "If you are sick, stay home, wash your hands, and cover your cough and see your provider when you need to."

Readers are encouraged to visit the Sierra County website to find up-to-date information regarding case counts and community vaccination status.