Category: Uncategorized

Current Respiratory Virus Activity

As of Oct. 23, 2026, respiratory virus activity in San Mateo County shows:

 

Use this checklist to plan for aging across five areas: financial well-being, physical well-being, spirituality, mental and cognitive health, and social connections.

Take the time to reflect on each question and how it may apply to your aging process, as everyone’s aging experience is different and unique. Planning and preparation can support your aging process in a positive way.

Development and research for this list was completed by the Aging Readiness and Family Caregiver Support Committee of the Commission on Aging for San Mateo County.

Financial Wellbeing

• Do you have a financial plan?
• What are your everyday needs, cash flow, debt, utilities, taxes, and social activities?
• Where do you plan to age (e.g., home, facility)? Consider the costs involved.
• Have you designated someone to handle your financial affairs if you become unable (e.g., POA, executor)?
• Do you have a written will/trust?
• Have you created a transition plan and discussed it with the relevant individuals?

Physical Wellbeing

• What actions are you taking today to ensure future independence?
• Do you engage in physical activity at least three times a week?
• Are you maintaining regular check-ups with a physician to preserve your health?
• Are you integrating balance, strength, and cardio exercises to prevent falls?
• Have you completed an advanced healthcare directive and discussed it with involved individuals and your primary care physician?

Spiritual

Reflect on your inner self with these prompts:

• What spiritual practices bring you peace?
• How do you connect with your inner self?
• Are your end-of-life wishes documented and shared with relevant individuals?

Mental/Cognitive Health

• Do you know your genetic predisposition to cognitive/brain conditions?
• Have you requested a cognitive test from your doctor?
• What daily activities help you maintain cognitive/brain health?
• Are there mental health challenges to consider in your aging plan?
• How do you care for your emotional and mental health needs?

Social

• Do you have meaningful social connections?
• Have you identified family/friends to support you through your aging experience?
• What activities do you enjoy, and do you have someone to share them with if desired?
• Have you identified individuals for emergency contact for physical, emotional, or spiritual support?

Disclaimer

This checklist is for general informational purposes only and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. It is not an all-inclusive list and may not fit every situation—please consult qualified professionals (e.g., your health care provider, attorney, or financial advisor) for guidance specific to your needs.

Research was completed through organizations such as AARP, National Council on Aging (NCA), Elder Economic Index, California Master Plan on Aging, and more.For additional information, please visit the following websites:

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion:
odphp.health.gov/our-work/national-health-initiatives/healthy-aging

National Institute on Aging:
https://www.nia.nih.gov

Master Plan for Aging:
https://mpa.aging.ca.gov

Commission on Aging

2000 Alameda de las Pulgas Suite 200
San Mateo, CA 94403

Phone: (650) 573-3900
Fax: (650) 837-9713
CA Relay: 711
Website: http://smchealth.org/CoA

San Mateo County Beach and Creek Postings for October 21, 2026, based off samples collected October 19, 2026

 

BEACH (PACIFIC-SIDE) POSTINGS:

• Linda Mar #5 (Linda Mar Blvd.)
• Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

CREEK POSTINGS:

• San Vicente Creek (at Fitzgerald)
• Pilarcitos Creek (at Venice-South)
• Pomponio Creek
• Gazos Creek

BEACH (BAYSIDE) POSTINGS:

• Erckenbrack Park

Current Respiratory Virus Activity

As of Oct. 16, 2026, respiratory virus activity in San Mateo County shows:

 

Respiratory virus season is starting in San Mateo County, with early influenza activity already increasing. COVID-19 activity remains elevated but is decreasing, while RSV activity is currently low.

Now is a good time to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination. Updated 2026-27 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are available and can be given at the same time.

Where to Get Vaccinated

To find a vaccine near you:

• Talk to your doctor.
• Visit MyTurn.
• Check with local pharmacies.

Current Respiratory Virus Activity

As of Oct. 3, 2026, respiratory virus activity in San Mateo County shows:

• Influenza: Activity is increasing.
• COVID-19: Activity remains elevated but is decreasing.
• RSV: Activity is low but is expected to increase in the coming weeks.

Respiratory illness activity is currently high in the Bay Area. When respiratory viruses are circulating at high levels, it is important to take steps to stay healthy and protect those around you.

Weekly Respiratory Virus Dashboard

The San Mateo County Health Office of the Health Officer maintains a Respiratory Virus Dashboard, updated every Friday, with information on COVID-19, influenza and RSV activity.

Latest data: Week ending Oct. 3, 2026
Updated: Oct. 9, 2026

The following snapshots show the latest available data. Select an image to view it at full size.

COVID-19

Influenza (Flu)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

View the latest Respiratory Virus Dashboard

Overdose prevention is about more than responding to emergencies. It is about building trust and sharing reliable information. It is also about supporting families, reducing stigma and making sure people know where to turn for help so they can live longer, better lives. One way San Mateo County Health is advancing that mission is through the San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition (OPC), a community partnership focused on preventing overdoses, reducing stigma and connecting people to life-saving information and support.

The Coalition brings together community members, families, youth, people with lived experience, educators, service providers, health professionals, public safety partners and local organizations. Together, we are working toward a shared vision: a San Mateo County free of overdose, through an empowered community.

How We Began

The Coalition began by listening to the community.

From September 2024 through January 2025, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, a division of San Mateo County Health, hosted focus groups across the county and virtually, hearing from community members who shared their concerns, hopes and ideas for preventing overdoses. Needs for more education, better access to services, stronger partnerships, and support before, during and after a crisis were named. That input became the foundation for the Coalition’s work.

The Heart of Our Mission

The San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition works to reduce drug overdoses throughout the county by focusing on education, outreach, access to services, youth and policy advocacy, and community-driven solutions.

In practice, that means the Coalition helps partners:

• Share clear information about overdose prevention, fentanyl, naloxone and available resources.
• Reduce stigma so people feel safer asking for help.
• Strengthen connections between schools, community organizations, health care providers, public safety partners, public transportation agencies and people directly impacted by overdose.
• Support youth-centered prevention efforts.
• Improve access for unhoused and vulnerable populations to naloxone and other overdose prevention resources.
• Use local data and community feedback to guide action.

The Coalition is guided by shared community agreements that encourage respectful and thoughtful conversations. Members commit to listening to learn, allowing all voices to be heard, protecting confidentiality, and engaging without judgment.

What We’ve Accomplished So Far

Since its start, the Coalition has grown from a listening effort into an active countywide partnership, developing its charter and bylaws, launching action teams, hosting community meet-and-greet events, holding general membership meetings, supporting naloxone distribution, and continuing to build partnerships across San Mateo County.

At a Steering Committee meeting in May, members reflected on the Coalition’s first year using words such as impact, collaboration, inspiring, lived experience, insightful, difference, perspective, learned, motivational, growth and networking. These words reflect both the progress made and the spirit of the work ahead.

Current Action Teams

The Steering Committee has established two action teams:

1. Youth and Schools Action Team: focuses on prevention efforts for young people, schools, and families. Youth voices have already shaped the coalition’s work. Young people from San Mateo shared honest reflections about substance use, overdose, and mental health. They encouraged adults to have real conversations with youth and include people with lived experience in solutions. The team is participating in the California Overdose Prevention Network Accelerator 7.0 Cohort. In June, San Mateo County students participated in the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Advocacy Academy, a project of the Youth and Schools Action Team. This work builds on a key message youth have already shared with the coalition: young people want honest conversations, trusted information, and solutions that include their voices.
2. Unhoused and Other Vulnerable Populations Team: focuses on people who may face a higher risk of overdose, including those experiencing homelessness. Early work has included connecting with shelter providers, identifying resource needs, distributing naloxone to outreach workers, participating in San Mateo County’s One Day Homeless County, and supporting access to overdose prevention training. The team continues to explore ways to bring overdose prevention resources into places where people may need them most.

Expanding Access To Naloxone

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Expanding access to naloxone is one of the coalition’s key priorities. County Health has supported naloxone distribution at community events and through partnerships across the county. Coalition partners have helped distribute naloxone at:

• The 3rd Annual H.O.P.E. Memorial Walk and Resource Fairs
• Naloxone Awareness and Community Safety events with samTrans
• SamTrans 50th Celebration
• Pride Festivals
• Fentanyl High Movie Screening at Carlmont High School
• Voices of Recovery Picnic
• Summer Fest
• 21st Anniversary Disaster Preparedness Day
• Colma Night Out

The OPC also launched the Naloxone Stand Box (NSB) program to provide newspaper-like stand boxes that can hold between 60-74 boxes of naloxone. These boxes are provided at no cost to eligible community-based organizations that serve people at risk for opioid overdose. These stand boxes are designed to make naloxone more visible and accessible in community settings.

As of October 2026, there are eight active naloxone stand boxes in the community, located at SamTrans Sequoia Station, Sitike Counseling Center, Puente de la Costa Sur, Streetlife Ministries, Job Train Menlo Park, two shelters, and at a youth mental health support center. Additional applications have been approved or are in progress, and 1,471 boxes of naloxone have been restocked to date since reporting began in February 2026.

How To Get Involved

No single organization can prevent overdoses alone. The Coalition creates a space for people across San Mateo County to work together, learn from one another, and take practical steps to save lives.

Community members, organizations, schools, service providers, and local partners are invited to learn more about the San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition and join the work. Members can attend meetings, share ideas, support action teams and help bring prevention resources to the people and places that need them.

To learn more or become a member, fill out the general membership form or visit the overdose prevention webpage. Click here to subscribe to the San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition Newsletter.

Together, we can prevent overdoses, support recovery, and help build a safer, healthier San Mateo County.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid. According to provisional data from the CDC, the majority of drug overdoses in 2025 included synthetic opioids, including fentanyl. While medical professionals prescribe pharmaceutical fentanyl for severe pain, most fentanyl-related overdose deaths are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl circulating in the illegal drug supply. Fentanyl overdoses pose a serious risk to people across ages, backgrounds, and communities who share overlapping vulnerabilities – including stress, trauma, mental health challenges, substance use, social isolation, unstable housing, mismanagement of prescription medication, and limited access to information or services.

The good news is that fentanyl overdose deaths are preventable. Learning about illicit fentanyl, understanding the risk of fake pills, carrying naloxone, and knowing how to respond to an overdose can help save lives.

What Is Fentanyl?

Prescribed by doctors, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that has been around since the 1960s and used for legitimate medical purposes as a pain reliever and anesthetic. Pharmaceutical fentanyl can be used to treat severe pain, such as in cases of advanced cancer or surgery, in emergency departments, or for individuals experiencing chronic pain that does not respond to other treatments. Typically, patients are given a fentanyl patch, lozenges, or shots and are monitored by a physician.

What Is Illicit Fentanyl?

Illegally made fentanyl, however, is produced and distributed through the illicit drug market and is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is commonly found as a powder, mixed with other drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine, or pressed into counterfeit or fake pills made to resemble authentic prescription medication. Fentanyl is incredibly strong without a distinct smell or taste, making detection difficult. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), just 2mg, similar to the amount of just a few grains of table salt, can be potentially lethal. Illicit fentanyl has substantially increased the risk of fatal overdose because of its potency, unpredictable presence/concentration, and widespread mixing with other drugs.

Fake Pills Can Look Real

Counterfeit, or “fake,” pills are manufactured to look like legitimate prescription medications. According to the DEA, about 29% of counterfeit pills tested at DEA laboratories contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. They may resemble oxycodone, hydrocodone, Xanax, Adderall, or other medications. But instead of containing the expected medication and dose, they often contain illegally made fentanyl in potentially lethal doses. Fake prescription pills are often bought online, through social media, from friends or acquaintances, or from other unregulated sources rather than a licensed pharmacy.

The DEA warns that medications obtained outside a licensed pharmacy can be dangerous and potentially deadly. Color, shape, markings, or appearance cannot reliably identify counterfeit pills.

This risk is especially important when talking with teens and young adults. The CDC reports that counterfeit pills are a leading source of unintentional fentanyl exposure among youth. From 2020 through 2024, 75% of overdose deaths among young people ages 10–19 involved fentanyl.

Families can help by having open, nonjudgmental conversations about fake pills. A useful message is simple: Never take a pill that was not prescribed to you and obtained from a licensed pharmacy.

Overdose Deaths Can Be Prevented

Knowing the signs of an opioid overdose can make the difference between life and death. Naloxone is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, including an overdose involving fentanyl. It is safe and easy for bystanders to administer. Warning signs of an overdose can include:

Breathing – slow, shallow, irregular, or stopped breathing
Lips – blue, gray, or purple lips or fingernails
Unresponsive – unable to wake up, limp body
Eyes – very small, “pinpoint” pupils

Other warning signs may include:

• Choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds
• Pale, cold, or clammy skin

If you think someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose, treat it as an emergency and follow these steps, according to the California Department of Public Health:

→ Give naloxone, and call 911.
→ If needed, provide a second dose of naloxone (using a new naloxone container) after 2-3 minutes.
→ Keep the person awake and breathing.
→ If the person is not breathing, you can perform rescue breathing or CPR.
→ Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
→ Stay with the person until 911 responders arrive.

Be Prepared. Share What You Know.

You do not need to know someone who uses opioids to carry naloxone. Having it available means you may be prepared to help a friend, relative, coworker, neighbor, or stranger experiencing an overdose.

San Mateo County is expanding access to free naloxone through vending machines and Naloxone Stand Boxes located throughout the county. Naloxone is also available at local pharmacies and major retailers without a prescription.

Overdose is preventable, and each of us can be prepared to help save a life. Visit the overdose prevention page to find free naloxone near you, watch training videos, and learn how to get involved with the San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition.

Since 1990, the Service League of San Mateo County’s Hope House has provided 24/7 residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health services for pregnant, postpartum and new mothers. The program houses up to 16 women and four infants in two side-by-side homes in Redwood City. 

Our evidence-based, gender-specific groups offer up-to-date tools to address SUD and other harmful behaviors, focusing on overall client health. We work closely with courts, probation, parole and Children and Family Services to resolve legal issues and reunify clients with their children. 

Many clients are introduced to Hope House while incarcerated at the San Mateo County jail. Through the Service League’s in-custody group “Hope Inside,” they learn that a new life in recovery is possible. Potential clients are interviewed while incarcerated and coordinated with after release for a warm handoff into the program. 

“I was interviewed in the jail and offered a spot at Hope House. Even though I had to go to Santa Clara County first, they kept in touch and when I got out, there was a bed waiting for me,” says Alma B., a transitional resident who spent 90 days at Hope House. “Having discipline and structure in my life really helped me, and knowing that there are services after to continue the support like transitional housing.” 

After treatment, graduates can access free services through our groups and open-door policy. Qualifying alumni may move into our transitional housing, which supports residents’ long-term goals with case management and recovery-based involvement in the community. 

Alma now works as Hope House Support Staff and a Bilingual Recovery Coach at Voices of Recovery. “Being part of the Hope House community has opened a lot of doors for me,” she says. “It’s a privilege to give back. I can show clients that if I can do it, they can too.” 

Learn more at serviceleague.org, call 650-364-4664, or email info@serviceleague.org. 

By Anna Zaretski, MPA, Executive Director 

An overdose can happen to anyone. It may involve prescription medication, fentanyl, alcohol, or a combination of substances. Because fentanyl can be present in other drugs without a person knowing, an opioid overdose may occur even when someone did not intend to use an opioid. 

Overdose risk is not limited to people who have a diagnosed substance use disorder or who fit common stereotypes about drug use. A person may be at risk while taking an opioid prescribed after an injury or surgery, when combining an opioid with alcohol or certain medications, or after a period of not using opioids when their tolerance has decreased. Young people may also unknowingly take a substance containing fentanyl, and children can be harmed by medications that are not stored securely. 

These shared vulnerabilities cross ages, incomes, neighborhoods, professions and family backgrounds. Recognizing that overdose can affect people throughout our community helps reduce stigma and encourages more people to carry naloxone, learn the warning signs, and respond without judgment. Knowing what to look for – and acting quickly – can help save a life. 

How to recognize the signs

During an opioid overdose, breathing can become dangerously slow or stop. The person may be unresponsive and unable to wake up, even when you call their name and tap their shoulders. Remembering the BLUE acronym can help remember the key signs of an opioid-related overdose: 

Breathing – slow, shallow, irregular, or stopped breathing

Lips – blue, gray, or purple lips or fingernails

Unresponsive – unable to wake up, limp body

Eyes – very small, “pinpoint” pupils 

Other warning signs may include: 

• Choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds 

• Pale, cold, or clammy skin 

Not every person will show every sign. When in doubt, treat the situation as a possible overdose. Responding is safer than waiting. 

How to respond according to the California Department of Public Health:

1. Give naloxone and call 911.
2. If needed, provide a second dose of naloxone (using a new naloxone container) after 2-3 minutes.
3. Keep the person awake and breathing.
4. If the person is not breathing you can perform rescue breathing or CPR.
5. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
6. Stay with the person until 911 responders arrive.

How to prepare

Even if you think you’ll never find yourself in a situation where you’re confronted with an overdose, being prepared can save lives. Keep naloxone at home, at work, or in a bag you carry. Tell others where it is. San Mateo County residents can get free naloxone from vending machines and naloxone stand boxes located throughout the county. Naloxone is also available without a prescription at pharmacies and major retailers, and by mail from calrxnaloxone.com.  

Visit the overdose prevention page to find free naloxone near you, watch training videos, and learn how to get involved with the San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition. 

By the San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition

On July 30, 2026, the San Mateo County Phoenix Garden community celebrated the graduation of 17 young adults from the Phoenix Garden Summer Internship Program. 

The graduates represented youth from vulnerable communities who have experienced behavioral health challenges, involvement with the criminal justice system and/or other challenges such as poverty and homelessness. The ceremony highlighted their resilience, accomplishments, partnerships and growing pride in themselves and their work. 

The graduation included a tour led by the youth participants, where they shared about their experience in the garden. Several interns shared how the program helped them build confidence, develop healthier ways to care for themselves, and experience the healing benefits of working outdoors. They described the garden as a place where they could feel calm, connected, supported and hopeful. Through meaningful work and trusted relationships, interns strengthened skills in teamwork, responsibility, creativity, leadership, and self-advocacy. 

The participants also presented projects they completed over the summer. These projects were designed and led by small teams of youth. They included: 

• Creating a welcoming circle at the garden entrance with native and culturally meaningful plants.
• Partnering with the San Mateo County Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative (NIPI) to enhance the NIPI garden area with California native plants.
• Designing a mural that honors that celebrates the Phoenix Garden, including the Ohlone people, the original stewards of the land, as well as native plants and animals.

The mural also reflects the youths’ journeys and their ability to “break the chains” of past challenges, harmful systems, and limiting expectations as they create new possibilities for their lives. 

The Phoenix Garden Internship Program is an important example of early behavioral health intervention. It reaches young people who are already navigating significant challenges and provides timely support before those challenges become more severe. Through mentorship, structure, employment experience, cultural connection, and opportunities to succeed, the program helps strengthen protective factors and connects youth to positive relationships and pathways. 

The program demonstrates that early intervention can take place outside traditional clinical settings. Healing happens through connection to the land, creative expression, supportive relationships, meaningful responsibility and a sense of belonging. These experiences help young people recognize their strengths, manage stress, build confidence, and envision a hopeful future. 

The impact extends beyond the internship. The skills, relationships, and sense of accomplishment developed through the program may support interns in their education, employment, well-being, and continued connection to their communities. Their projects have also created a more welcoming, culturally meaningful, and healing space for future garden visitors. 

The program was developed and led by the University of California 4-H, a youth development program with the goal of helping all California youth thrive. Throughout the program, 4-H partnered closely with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Public Health, Policy and Planning, the County Office of Education and the Juvenile Probation Department. 

Congratulations to all the graduates for their hard work, courage and creativity. Special thanks to Public Health Policy and Planning, Health Administration, the Regents of the University of California Phoenix Garden Team, intern and intern leads, families, mentors, and community partners for investing in youth healing, leadership, and new beginnings. 

By Maria Lorente-Foresti, Office of Diversity and Equity Director