The Afternoon Report—a new series we’re trying out in which we offer a quickie post-meridian rundown of some minor developments in the always-happening streets of the Mission District. Got ideas or suggestions? Let us know what you think by sending an email to info@mission.com.
Pumping Air, Grabbing Arms
Every afternoon, outside the Meridian Medical Group Clinic on Mission Street and 21st Street, René Infante and Karen Merino help an average of 50 to 60 people figure out if their blood pressure is too high or too low and what they should do about it.
“We don’t charge a cent for it. It’s for disease prevention,” said Infante as he nodded to a woman waiting to have her blood pressure checked. Infante has worked as a medical assistant for the clinic for the past eight years. About half of the 60 people that they see have high blood pressure, and sometimes it’s related to diabetes.
The people that Infante and Merino work with every day are mostly low-income people who have a difficult time accessing health services. Many are also often undocumented.
“Diabetes is on the rise. Our people have very little time to eat [during lunch breaks] and they eat poorly and that is harmful to their health,” he said. When someone is not feeling great, they send them upstairs to the doctor’s office to sign them up for the City’s Health Access programs. The clinic is also committed to provide the services at the Mexican and Guatemalan consulates.
As anyone with a pulse who’s walked by in the afternoon likely knows, Infante encourages almost everyone to spare a minute of their time to sit down and get their blood pressure checked. Most people roll up their sleeves and offer an arm.
Secret Words, Betabrands
The folks over at Betabrand have decided to have a sale today (and maybe tomorrow, maybe not — depends on how they’re feeling). But there’s a catch: the sale is only for those who can guess the super-secret (not-so-secret) code word.
Here’s a hint:
While the correct word shouldn’t come as a surprise, Betabrand employee Maya Skinder said any clever interpretations that fit the sign would be honored for the sale as well, at the cashier’s discretion.
“We’re all about engaging the general public,” she said.
A heads up to those whose interest has been piqued: so-called “Gay jeans” and dress pant yoga pants have been selling fast, so get ’em while supplies last. If you can figure out the magic word (or what those products actually are)!
This has been your Afternoon Report—a new series we’re trying out in which we offer a quickie post-meridian rundown of some minor developments in the always-happening streets of the Mission District. Got ideas or suggestions? Let us know what you think by sending an email to info@mission.com.