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EVENTS / COVID / PREVENTION / MYTHS/FACTS / PAMPHLETS / VACCINE / VIDEO / STAFF
The Onondaga Health Outreach was created in cooperation with the UpState Medical Center to promote Covid 19 awareness.
EVENTS
April 15, 2025 – Elder’s Luncheon at Tsha’ Thoñswatha’: Onondaga Health Outreach hosts luncheon to share information to our Elders about Covid-19.
February 26, 2025 – Family Night at ONS: We will be tabling at ONS Family Night where you can learn to protect yourself and others against COVID-19, and learn about what resources are available to you. Read about the great time we had at the event. (RECAP).
Also:
Protect yourself and your loved ones by stopping at the Upstate New York Poison Center’s table to learn about common potential poisons in the home, tips on how to prevent poisonings, and what to do if a poisoning occurs.
COVID
What is the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)?
COVID-19 is a sickness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It mainly affects the lungs and breathing. COVID-19 causes symptoms that feel like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Some people are more at risk of becoming seriously ill, such as: elders, people with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or long-term breathing problems.
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 can spread when an infected person breathes out tiny droplets of fluid that contain the virus. People can get the virus by: breathing in the infected droplets, getting the droplets in your eyes, nose, or mouth or touching surfaces where the droplets have landed. COVID-19 can be spread by anyone infected with it, even if they don’t show any symptoms.
PREVENTION
How to Protect Yourself and Others:
Get your COVID-19 Vaccination. Staying up to date on your vaccinations can help prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
Test for COVID-19. If you feel sick or have any symptoms, stay home and test for the infection to prevent spreading it to others.
Señ’nyohaeh. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Disinfect high-touch surfaces. For example, clean doorknobs, light switches, counters, and electronics regularly.
Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Then wash your hands afterwards.
MYTHS/FACTS
MYTH: COVID-19 vaccines cause you to become sick with COVID-19.
FACT: COVID-19 does not contain the live virus that causes you to get sick. Some may feel side effects such as fever or muscle aches which will go away in a few days.
MYTH: COVID-19 causes fertility problems.
FACT: Currently no evidence shows that the COVID-19 vaccine causes fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) in women or men.
MYTH: COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips that can track your location.
FACT: The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain microchips and they cannot make you magnetic.
MYTH: COVID-19 vaccines can alter your DNA.
FACT: COVID -19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.
MYTH: The ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe.
FACT: Nearly all the ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines are also ingredients in many foods – fats, sugars, and salts.
PAMPHLETS
Click to view: 2025 Covid Coloring Book
Click to view: 2025 Covid Informational Pamphlet
BACK TO TOP
VACCINE
What is the COVID-19 Vaccine? It teaches your body’s defense system to recognize and fight the disease. It also builds protection (immunity) against the virus.
Benefits – Prevents serious illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19.
Lowers your chances of long-term illnesses from getting COVID-19 such as: heart complications, the loss of taste and smell, extreme tiredness (especially after activity), shortness of breath, problems with memory (also called brain fog) and sleep problems.
Where to get Vaccinated – visit vaxassit.com to find a location and schedule an appointment near you to get the COVID vaccination or call the Onondaga Nation Clinic to schedule an appointment at (315)-469-6449.
VIDEO
MEET THE STAFF
Email us at – OnondagaHealthOutreach@gmail.com
Abrams, Rhiannon
• Project Manager
Rhiannon Abrams grew up on the Onondaga Nation and is passionate about her community. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Health and Exercise Science, a Minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies, a Masters of Science in Business Analytics, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Data Science from Syracuse University. With her unique combination of skills and cultural insight, Rhiannon is dedicated to creating innovative solutions and fostering connections that uplift and empower Indigenous people.
Booth, Logan
• Native Outreach Educator
Logan Booth is a public relations coordinator based in Syracuse, New York. Booth is passionate about amplifying Indigenous voices and creating space for Indigenous women in the communications field. She is a recent graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in public relations and English, and a minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies. Previously, Booth worked as an account coordinator at Day One Agency, as well as a teaching assistant for Syracuse University’s Climate of Resistance Community Audit.
Northardt, Trina RN
• Project Coordinator
Trina Northardt is Mohawk Wolf Clan from the Kahnawake territory. Northardt is a proud mother to Jessica Tarbell and happily married to Tom Northardt. She has been employed at Upstate Medical University hospital for the last 27 years in various roles including current roles of Director of Quality and Patient safety and Department of Emergency Medicine at Upstate Medical University. In the past Northardt has worked in the ED as Clinical Nurse educator and staff nurse for 10 years. Prior to that she has worked in the surgical intensive care (SICU) unit for 8 years as staff nurse and charge nurse. For the last 5 years, Northardt is the Upstate Medical University Hospital Native American liaison. Northardt is also a business owner and inventor of a medical device. Northardt has no time for hobbies (LOL) but she enjoys crafting, watching sports, and travel.
Powless, Bradley
• Web Designer
Bradley Powless is a member of the Onondaga Eel Clan. In 2024, Bradley retired as a teacher of the Onondaga Nation School after 30 years of teaching special education, third grade, and Onondaga Culture classes. Powless has been a member of the Onondaga Council since 2003 warming the Ha·hi’hoñh title. Powless and his wife JoAnne have raised three children; Elaina, Sophia, and Haeñhyahoñhna. Powless is a graduate of Nazareth College with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1990 and a M.S. Special Education degree from Penn State University in 1993.
Shenandoah, Emerson
• Native Outreach Educator
Emerson Shenandoah is a member of the Onondaga Snipe Clan. Shenandoah graduated Cornell with a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations
Thompson M.D., Brian
• Project Director
