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Emerging from COVID-19 with Confidence

Have you ever watched a butterfly emerge from its cocoon? It struggles against the hardened shell of the chrysalis — pushing and relaxing and pushing again — until finally breaking open and freeing itself from the shell.

Does that sound like something you might be feeling as we emerge from the isolation of COVID-19? For some of us, it, too, is a struggle. Even positive change can provoke anxiety, which is often driven by uncertainty, so “adjusting to our new normal” may be challenging.

Robert Cappuccio, VRC’s Director of Coaching, Cultural Development and Behavior Change, helped us put things in perspective.

“Our environment dramatically affects our mental state and therefore our behaviors. And when our environment becomes highly unpredictable due to factors outside of our control, that threatens one of our primal universal needs, which is, security, safety… we all want to feel a sense of safety.”

Robert and other experts agree that the key to taming uncertainty is to take a good look at our values: what is it that’s really important to each of us?

“Think about a time in your life where things were amazing. What were the emotions you were feeling, what activities were you consistently engaged in, who was there, and what was going on in your environment. There are a lot of clues as to what you value.”

Friends, family, and community members whom you trust can help you clarify your values, and so can the VEBA Resource Center (VRC).

“The VRC and I strongly agree that when you exercise your values and you express them out in the world, they are expressed as your unique signature strengths. Another question is, ‘Can you remember a time where things were unpredictable, where you were afraid, where you did feel threatened, yet you persevered?’ Well, if you look at what you did to get through that, a lot of times you’ll see that those were signature strengths that you’ve utilized in almost every challenging circumstance throughout your life, and you’ll see a pattern there, and those strengths emerge from what you value.”

Robert cautions that successfully emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be boiled down to a general list of tips. The journey is different for each of us. However, the ideas shared below help provide a strong foundation.

  1. Set realistic expectations: We have enough going on right now without adding pressure to get this done immediately. Think about your values like a stew. Put in some ingredients and let it simmer.
  2. Exercise: This will get you out of your head.
  3. Eat Well: Fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains (cut back on refined sugars) help fuel your comeback. Find a new recipe to try here.
  4. Sleep: Put away your electronics at least one hour before heading to bed and aim for at least seven (7) hours of real sleep. Here are some tips on sleep from the VRC.
  5. Community: Reach out to friends, family, groups you enjoy. Reconnecting with each other will help us feel supported.

“Think of the VRC kind of like a carpenter: the tools in the toolbox are not houses and the houses have no value until somebody moves in and says, ‘This is where I’m going to raise my family (a values-driven statement).’ It all starts with how we use this combination of tools to build what we truly want. The VRC gives you the tools so you can build whatever result you want in your life, not just related to health and wellness, but you as a whole person.”

Emerging wholly — like the butterfly — feels even more possible when you have the support you need. Learn more here about the VRC’s Care Navigation program and schedule your one-on-one session with a Care Navigator today.

How the COVID-19 Threat Put Our Brains Into Overdrive

April is Stress Awareness Month and at the VEBA Resource Center, we are very aware of how stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues may cause you to suffer, especially since we have been living under pandemic conditions for more than a year now. The part of our brain designed to protect us during a threat (COVID-19) is on high alert.

In this interview, Krista Tippett, the host of “On Being,” explores the issue with Dr. Christine Runyan – clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Massachusetts Medical School – who explains why our systems feel out of whack and under attack.

So take a moment, about 50 minutes, to unwind while listening to this comforting, informative, and humorous interview. You’ll learn the “why” behind our reactions and how to help yourself feel better… and not so alone.

As a reminder, the VEBA Resource Center provides a host of programs and classes to care for you holistically. Our Care Navigators are ready to assist you in finding the connections to support your unique health experience.

Long-time Educator Supports Vaccine, Looks for Lessons Learned from Virus

Some links on this page may no longer be available now that the VEBA Vaccinates program is closed.

Greg Winston taught in San Diego Unified School District for more than 30 years. In his retirement, he became a dedicated tutor, honoring himself, his family, and his students by getting vaccinated through the VEBA Vaccinates program.

“I feel it’s important for me to be immune against the virus. I am somewhat suspicious of the vaccination, the virus. I have mixed feelings about it. But I’m erring on the side of caution, since I don’t have enough knowledge to really dispute it.”

The VEBA Vaccinates program rolled out in late February following the County of San Diego and the San Diego County Office of Education guidelines, first serving all educators in the most at-risk neighborhoods.

The VEBA Resource Center (VRC) is dedicated to equalizing healthcare access. Its programs are free and open to all VEBA Members and their families. From healthy cooking classes to yoga and meditation, the VRC classes strive to meet the unique needs of individual members. This holistic approach is very important to Mr. Winston.

“I think there’s a positive where people will be able to go back to school. I think people will get back to work again. But I also think that we have to look at the lessons that are learned. And we have to look at the value of what we’re teaching. We have to look at the value of the food that we’re providing for the people. We have to look at the conditions under which people are living.”

The VEBA Vaccinates program, in partnership with UC San Diego Health and Sharp HealthCare, provided access for all TK-12 education employees working in San Diego County district, charter, and private schools to schedule their appointment and receive their vaccination. For Mr. Winston, that means finally being able to reunite with the kids he loves to teach.

“I look forward to interacting with the kids again. And I think there are lifelong lessons that I’ve learned from those kids. And there are certain things that I never realized 30 years ago, when I started teaching, that I’m well aware of now, and I see the fruits of my labor. So now I’m more motivated to go back and still give that.”

Mr. Winston emphasized that he is also in a unique position to make a connection and meet a need, especially for students of color.

“I think there are a lot of kids that look for role models, mentors, look for assistance. And unfortunately, in our school system, when it comes to black males, there’s not a lot. So sometimes there’s a void that’s not being filled there… I retired from the school system. But I didn’t retire from kids.”

  • For more information, visit www.VEBAvaccinates.com.
  • San Diego County education employees who haven’t yet signed up for an appointment can do so on the VEBA Portal.
  • Explore the VEBA Resource Center website to explore programs, recipes and classes available to VEBA Members.
  • Click here for more information on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 Vaccine.

Vallecitos CBO Says VEBA Vaccinates Process Easy, Well Organized

Some links on this page may no longer be available now that the VEBA Vaccinates program is closed.

When San Diego County Health and Human Services announced the opening of Phase 1B-Tier 1 – which includes educators – Linda Miller, CBO for the Vallecitos School District, jumped into action. She sent in all the names of the educators in their rural, K-8 school to the VEBA Vaccinates program. The very next day, people in her district began making appointments to receive the vaccine.

“That was really great news. There was a sense of relief that it was being made available to those of us in education, and it’s encouraging in terms of just being able to move forward to with the goal of bringing students back to school for in-person instruction.”

Ms. Miller set up her own appointment that same week and was very impressed with how smoothly her visit unfolded, thanks to the VEBA Vaccinates partnership with Sharp HealthCare and UC San Diego Health.

“They answered all of my questions, they were very informative. It was organized. I actually arrived a little early and there was no wait. [After receiving the shot] we were all directed to a waiting area for 15 minutes to make sure that there was no negative reaction. That was it.”

The Vallecitos School District is also very organized, welcoming back staff and students for a hybrid on-campus/at-home classroom experience.

“We have students on Monday-Wednesday and then another cohort on Tuesday-Thursday. We also have a population of students doing distance learning… As a small district, we are very excited to get our students back in school. And as a whole, we are all looking towards that as a positive goal… We’re hopeful that we can bring all the students back as soon as possible and certainly by next year.”

And even though most Vallecitos educators are vaccinated, Ms. Miller says the district continues to take all recommended precautions to protect staff and students, including cleaning and sanitizing, wearing masks, and distancing.

“We have a really great staff. Our teachers are wonderful and they’re genuinely interested in the success of the students. So getting students back to class is something that we are really looking forward to, something everyone is really striving for.”

How to Prepare for Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment

Some links on this page may no longer be available now that the VEBA Vaccinates program is closed.

Thank you for signing up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the VEBA Resource Center’s program, VEBA Vaccinates. (If you are an educator in San Diego County and haven’t had a chance to register yet, visit our VEBA Portal and watch this video for easy-to-follow, step-by-step directions). By agreeing to get the vaccine, you are taking an important step toward preventing further infection. You and your fellow educators, students, and families can breathe a little easier.

Now that you have registered to receive your COVID-19 vaccination through VEBA Vaccinates, you may be wondering how to prepare for your appointment. This article from UCHealth outlines what you need to know – from what to wear to how you may feel after receiving the vaccine.

In brief, health experts recommend that you:

  • Wear loose-fitting clothing
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Wear your mask
  • Remember to breathe
  • Wait in the vaccine clinic for at least 15 minutes after your shot to monitor any adverse reaction

For details on additional important information, such as drinking alcohol and reasons not to get the vaccine, we encourage you to read the brief UCHealth article.

If you’re concerned about vaccine safety, here’s a link to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Again, thank you for taking this important step toward making the community safer, for all of us.

VEBA Resource Center Helps Educators Fight COVID-19 by Getting the Vaccine

Some links on this page may no longer be available now that the VEBA Vaccinates program is closed.

In less than three weeks, the VEBA Vaccinates program provided thousands of vaccinations for San Diego County educators. California Schools VEBA rolled out its program the moment San Diego County announced on February 27 the opening of Phase 1B-Tier 1, which included education workers. VEBA’s partnership with Sharp HealthCare and UC San Diego Health provides the protection and peace of mind that educators need.

“Today, I got my shot for my kids at my school, my family, and most of all for myself, just to know that I will not be infected or infecting others. So it’s a big thing.”

Natasha Benally is an on-site teacher at Cabrillo Elementary in Point Loma. Since November, she’s been teaching a small group of students in the classroom – and many more online. It’s been tough managing her classroom as well as her three school-aged kids without the protection of a vaccine.

“I was afraid that I was going to get COVID or spread COVID if I got it. So it’s been very, very tough. But today, finally coming in, getting vaccinated, I feel a little better, more at ease. So, I am just so relieved.”

The VEBA Vaccinates program provided Ms. Benally with the latest information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. And Ms. Benally’s students trusted her to get the vaccine.

“You know, my kids asked me every day at school, ‘Are you going to get vaccinated? Have you gotten vaccinated?’ They actually asked me that question. And I’m like, ‘No, I haven’t.’ And today when I told them I was (getting vaccinated), they were all excited. They’re like, “Are all of our other teachers going to get vaccinated?’ I’m like, ‘They should.’”

Ms. Benally encourages her fellow educators to follow her lead and sign up for a vaccination through the VEBA Portal. It’s easy to do and VEBA provides a step-by-step instructional video to guide members through the registration process.

“Thank you Sharp and VEBA for arranging everything here, getting the COVID shot and getting teachers back into the classroom and the kids happy once again. Seeing the kids that we do have inside, they were so ecstatic, so excited to be back. To see other kids actually play on the play structure as a group was like the world to them. They loved it.”

  • If you are a TK-12 education employee in San Diego County, sign up for the vaccine by visiting the VEBA Portal.
  • Have questions about the VEBA Vaccinates program? Visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” page.
  • Meet VEBA Vice President Laura Josh and learn more about VEBA’s commitment to “whole-person” health and health care equity for the San Diego community.
  • For more testimonials and information about the VEBA Vaccinates program and COVID-19 vaccine, visit our YouTube channel.

School Officer Gets Vaccine; Aiming to Improve Mental Health and Wellness of Returning Students

Some links on this page may no longer be available now that the VEBA Vaccinates program is closed.

If anyone at Morse High School is feeling down and needs a friend – as many of us are and do during this COVID experience – Officer Dave Pallesen is the pal to call. 

Officer Pallesen is one of many sworn peace officers committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for San Diego students. Because of the virus, the officers have been limited to insuring campus security and a few home visits, hoping to ease any pain or mental health challenges that may come with virtual learning.  

“A lot of the kids, unfortunately, this has been hard on them just like everyone else; the isolation, not being around friends… We’re human beings by nature, we’re social creatures, we need that interaction. And we need that face-to-face human interaction.”

Soon, that face-to-face interaction will be possible, thanks to the VEBA Vaccinates program. 

“(Getting the vaccine) was all very smooth, very quick, very efficient. I have nothing but positive reviews and was very pleased with the whole process. As far as the information I received signing up, everything was really seamless.”

Officer Pallesen did his research and feels confident that the vaccine is safe and will help him protect his family. 

“I got the shot for my wife and kids, to protect my parents who are older, and for the kids at the schools and the people in my life that I care and love.”

That love is something Officer Pallesen is looking forward to sharing when he reunites with the students and educators he serves. 

“I’ll get to interact more with the kids and do what I love, which is having those interactions and building those relationships and helping those kids out, helping them be successful… and I’ll be smiling. I’ll probably be wearing a mask, but I’ll be smiling.”

Click here to learn more about our VEBA Vaccinates program.

For more ideas about protecting your mental health, read these VEBA Resource Center blogs: 

You’ve Been Vaccinated for COVID-19. Now What?

Some links on this page may no longer be available now that the VEBA Vaccinates program is closed.

So, you have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Excellent! Thank you for protecting your health and the health of our community.

Now what?

If you have been fully vaccinated (2 doses):

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions that it takes two weeks after your second dose for your body to build full protection to the virus.

After that:

  • You can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks or physically distancing.
  • You can also gather with people who are at low-risk for the disease, such as children, without masks or physical distancing.
  • If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 but you do not show any symptoms, you do not have to quarantine or get tested.

Here are some things that haven’t changed:

  • When you are in public places, continue to wear your masks and practice physical distancing.
  • Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings.
  • Keep practicing good hand hygiene.

If you have not received your second dose:

  1. Make sure you have scheduled your second shot. You will develop some immunity after your first shot but it is not complete without the second.
  2. Keep practicing safe habits.

Here are some guidelines for staying safe:

  1. Wear your mask! Even if you’ve received both shots of the vaccine, you can still be a carrier and “shed” the virus on others, even if you have no symptoms.
  2. Avoid crowds. To protect the health of others, keep wearing your mask and remain six feet apart, for now.
  3. Be aware of your surroundings. Are the people around you being careful, too? Do you feel safe?
  4. Keep practicing good hand hygiene. Wash your hands with hot water and soap. Use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash.
  5. Encourage others to get vaccinated! If you’re a Tk-12 school employee in San Diego County, visit www.vebavaccinates.com today!

Check out some of our COVID-related videos here:

For our full playlist of COVID-19 informational videos, visit our YouTube channel.