🌱Fresh Salad Recall + Half Billion Tests + Red Cross Urgent Need

Good morning, Bedford! Let's start Thursday, Dec. 23 on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Bedford today.

First, today's weather:

A sunny day with a few clouds. High: 32 Low: 22.

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Here are the top stories today in Bedford:

1. Check your refrigerator and let your friends and neighbors know that a recall has been issued for Fresh Express Salad products that are contaminated with listeria, a potentially deadly bacteria. Listeria is serious and can sometimes cause fatal illness in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, although officials say that healthy people can become very ill with a high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The bacteria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. The company released a statement saying, “Consumers with these symptoms should consult their health care provider.” The recall includes packaged fresh salad items for all use-by dates with product codes Z324 through Z350. The codes can be found on the front of the packages below the use-by date. The company said they contacted retailers asking them to remove the products from the shelves and asked anyone who purchased these products and have then at home to throw them away. They are also offering refunds to consumers at the purchase location or through the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center at (800) 242-5472. You can read more about the recall and which products are impacted here: (The Union Leader)
2. Blood is in critically short supply in New Hampshire due to the pandemic, said The American Red Cross, and they do not have the blood they need to meet the demand. New Hampshire needs to collect a total of 165 pints of blood every day, which means that more than 1,100 Granite Staters have to donate every day. A donor can only donate blood once every eight weeks. According to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone needs blood in the U.S. If you'd like to donate, a Manchester Holiday Blood Drive will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 29, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Derryfield School. To book an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter "GRANITESTATE." You can find out more here: (WMUR)
3. Rapid COVID-19 test kits have been selling out as fast as pharmacies can place them on shelves. The CVS pharmacy on River Road in Bedford posted a sign Tuesday night saying they were completely sold-out of rapid test kits. Free rapid COVID-19 test kits will be available soon from the federal government. President Joe Biden announced in a national press conference on Tuesday that the government plans to buy a half-billion home rapid COVID-19 test kits and mail them to people who want them for free through a new website in January. You can read more here: (NHPR)
4. In related news, Gov. Chris Sununu announced another Booster Blitz on Jan. 8 in New Hampshire to accelerate the state's response to the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases, after parents said shots were not available for weeks. Registration for the new event is happening sometime after the new year. Sununu also praised President Joe Biden’s announcement Tuesday that the federal government would be sending 500 million free at-home tests to states. New Hampshire plans to make the free rapid COVID-19 test kits available to New Hampshire residents as soon as they are available. You can read more here: (The Union Leader)

From our sponsor:

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From my notebook:

• Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: "Happy Winter Solstice! What's on your winter bucket list? Skiing, hot chocolate making, snowman building? Let us know!" (Facebook)

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You're caught up today! See you tomorrow with another update.

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.