During this period of social distancing and isolation, there’s always one thing that can make almost anyone feel happier: animals.
The Nevada Humane Society is reaching out to the community for help to place as many shelter animals in homes as possible should they have to close operations due to COVID-19.
The first way to help out is to adopt a new pet. Practicing social distancing can be lonely, but it can be a great time to train a new friend. Adoption fees on all pets are 50 percent off as of March 17. Adopting these animals will not only provide comfort for you and them, but also prevent the risk of over-crowding in the shelters should the staffing need to be constrained.
The second way to help is to volunteer as an emergency foster. If the shelter does reach critical capacity, an emergency foster will be called and asked to momentarily house a pet. To become an emergency foster home, email [email protected] with the following information: first and last name, phone number, types of pets already living in your home, ages of children living in your home, type of home, and whether or not you have a yard.
If you are unable to adopt or foster, you can still help out by donating.
The Nevada Humane Society has implemented some changes to ensure safety for those picking up new pets. There are hand sanitizing stations scattered throughout the shelter, social distancing practices are being followed by staff, and communal surfaces (like door handles and counters) are sanitized hourly.
There has been no evidence that dogs or cats can be infected with COVID-19, so there’s no need to worry about fur friends carrying the disease. Pets can also help alleviate stress or anxiety and bring companionship.
For more information, visit: https://nevadahumanesociety.org/covid-19-response/.
This Is Reno’s COVID-19 news coverage

Health District offers COVID-19 vaccine to those between 6 months and 4 years old
The Washoe County Health District is offering COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 6 months old or older starting Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 1001 East Ninth Street, building B.

Health District: COVID-19 cases still rising
The health district continues to offer vaccinations at its clinic and will be at the food truck Friday event at Idlewild Park this week.

COVID-19 community risk level raised to ‘medium’
An increase in COVID-19 cases has raised Washoe County’s risk level for the virus to “medium” based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s community risk guide.

Federal probe of COVID testing company with stunning error rate expands to Nevada
Federal authorities are expanding an investigation into Chicago-based Northshore Clinical Labs following a ProPublica story that raised questions about its COVID-19 testing operations in Nevada.

COVID-19 cases continue to rise, many cases likely unreported
The number of reported new daily COVID-19 cases more than doubled over the past two weeks, increasing from nearly 55 new cases per day to 111.

El distrito de salud ofrece refuerzos de la vacuna contra el COVID para niños de 5 a 11 años
Los funcionarios del Distrito de Salud del Condado de Washoe dijeron el viernes que ya habían comenzado a proporcionar vacunas de refuerzo contra el COVID-19 a niños de 5 a 11 años.

Health district offers COVID boosters for children ages 5-11
Washoe County Health District officials on Friday said they’d already begun providing COVID-19 booster shots to children ages 5-11.

The COVID testing company that missed 96% of cases
Ultimately, state public health officials found that Northshore’s PCR tests missed 96% of the positive cases from the university campus — errors that sent people infected with COVID-19 back into the community.

Distrito de Salud: Los casos de COVID-19 en aumento, pero aún bajos
El Oficial de Salud del Distrito del Condado de Washoe, Kevin Dick, dijo hoy que la nueva variante de omicron está creando un aumento en los casos de COVID-19.

Health District: COVID-19 cases on the rise but still low
Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick today said the new omicron variant is creating an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Kylie Masznicz is a recent graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, where she studied English with a concentration in writing with a minor in Communication Studies. She writes culture pieces for ThisIsReno, but her work has also been featured on Broadway Baby and Brushfire Literature & Arts Journal. Her goal is to write a novel. She enjoys art of all forms, but chooses to express her own creativity through writing, music, and nail art. She also collects Christmas sweaters and has enough to wear one everyday from Thanksgiving to New Years.