All SAGE Upstate programs are held on Zoom.
There are no in-person meetings at this time.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Get more info here.
What is herd immunity and is it possible?
Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community becomes immune to a disease, making the spread from person to person unlikely. The more contagious a disease is, the greater the proportion of the population that needs to be immune. Herd immunity is achieved through two main paths: natural infection and vaccinations -- and for the current pandemic, both of these methods are problematic.
Natural Infections: Even if a number of people are naturally infected, it's not clear how long they are immune. Experts estimate that 70% of the population would need to recover from COVID to halt the pandemic. That's 200 million people, and currently a little over 40 million have recovered in the US. And, if 200 million people had COVID, that would mean millions of deaths and an overwhelmed health system
Vaccinations: They only work if enough people get them, and like natural infection, there may be a time limit on the immunity they provide. Currently just over half of the US population is vaccinated. However, vaccines create immunity without causing illness or resulting complications, and this method has been successful against smallpox, polio, diphtheria, rubella and many diseases.
Will we reach herd immunity? It's not clear when and whether the US will reach herd immunity, but the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at protecting against severe illness requiring hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. Even if it isn’t currently possible to stop transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the vaccines are allowing people to better be able to live with the virus.
We're all tired of COVID. Unfortunately, it's not tired of us yet. We're all tired of hearing about what we need to do to stay safe. But, for now, these are what will get us through. Getting a vaccine is best way to protect yourself. Also, wearing a mask, avoiding close contact, washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, refraining from sharing dishes and items with people who may be sick -- we know all of this by heart by now. Know anyone with small pox? That must mean that there's something to these tried and true methods.
Second Sunday in June: PRIDE
If you weren't able to join us for Second Sunday, click the box on the left to see the program, and the box on the right to see a slideshow of SAGE participants in CNY Pride over the years.
Program: All you need to know about CNY Pride, including a fabulous video.
SAGE @ Pride Slideshow: A couple of decades of SAGE folks showing our pride!
Second Sunday in April
Black History is American History
Black History is LGBT History
This slideshow features Black LGBT Americans who have made history or are making history.
February 1: Seimone Augustus
"It's incredible to think that there are children right now, at this very moment, that will grow up only knowing 'marriage' and not 'gay marriage.' Love is love, and there's not any one face you can assign to it."
Simeone has played for the WNBA since 2006. She was born in Baton Rouge to Seymore and Kim Augustus, both of whom were influential in Seimone’s young basketball career. Her mom is one of two people to have ever beaten her at HORSE. She married LaTaya Varner on May 9, 2015. The Seimone Augustus Foundation works to provide opportunity and raise awareness around health and wellness, with a special focus on issues surrounding hunger and heart health.
Second Sunday in February: Syracuse Center for Peace and Social Justice
Second Sunday in January with author, educator, and activist, Minnie Bruce Pratt and Earl Taylor from the Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus, plus concert footage.
COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion with Terrence Howell, Director of Quality for Research at Upstate Medical University.
December Second Sunday:
A Holiday Celebration
November Second Sunday With SAGE:
8th Annual Community Celebration.
The "Deepening Our Humanity: Creating An Essential Foundation for Antiracist Work" program offered by Susan White and Roslyn Rasberry is now avaible in video. So, if you missed it on zoom, here it is. After watching, please send your feedback to SAGE Upstate here -- about what our next steps should be in our antiracist work as individuals and as an organization.
Most of our programs are available online or by phone. Check the calendar page for info.
Ongoing Programs & Services
Healthy Aging Series Video:
The Power of Exercise
Watch now