December 12, 2021
Malaise and Fatigue
I am worn out. I expect that you feel the same way, wherever you live. The pandemic has lasted longer than any of us imagined when we first heard about COVID-19. Heartache after heartache, disappointment after disappointment. After the vaccines were approved, we all hoped to have returned to normal lives by this time. But roadblocks, like the delta variant and vaccine resistance, are causing detours. And now Omicron…. The road feels as if there is no end in sight. We are drained, making these dark, rainy fall days feel heavier than usual.
Understanding why the vaccines don’t always prevent infection is challenging. They do reduce transmission, just not 100%. Katelyn Jetelina, who writes the blog “Your Local Epidemiologist” explains it better than I can. Someone who is vaccinated clears the virus faster and has less infectious particles to transmit.
I am starting to see small glimmers of hope and normalcy, despite these new worries about Omicron. The boosters have boosted my spirits, making me feel safer at work and when I am out and about. We are even having in-person Old Time jams again at the Wedgwood Ale House, everyone vaxxed and masked, of course. I am grateful to play tunes with friends again!
I feel pretty safe doing that. The mRNA vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness and death, although their effectiveness wanes with time or if someone is immunocompromised. The boosters make up for that waning effect. The early data is promising that boosting the vaccines protect from serious illness from Omicron. It also helps that I am in Seattle where we have a high vaccination rate and a lower rate of transmission. The data and risks may be different in your county, which may influence your behavior.
As the holidays approach, we face decisions regarding holiday travel and visits with friends and family. The answer to the question “Is it safe”, is “It depends”. Where are you going? Can you afford to be delayed if you develop a positive test? Are there elders that are at risk because their immune systems are not as strong? Can you get a rapid test the day of the event? Will there be un-immunized people? A layered approach is still needed. This includes boosted vaccines, masking, and testing. Masks protect the wearer. The data is clear now. The best, fitted mask you can get is the best one.
Data about vaccines and Omicron is starting to come, which will help clarify questions in the next few weeks. Remember, hospitalizations and deaths always lag an increase in cases. It is early yet to know. We are entering a new phase of the pandemic. More people have immunity that can affect the seriousness of an infection. Still we have too many that resist immunization, as well as masking. This means that Omicron is sure to spread in areas with low rates of vaccination and masking. This means the layered approach is needed for a while longer.
Wash your hands, cover your nose (with a good mask), get boosted, and think about your and your loved ones’ risks, when planning for the holidays.
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available, and not related to the organization I work for. Thanks for reading.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/covid-shots-more-protective-than-past-infection-study-shows/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211029152244.htm
https://www.wedgwoodalehouse.com
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveytechnicalarticleimpactofvaccinationontestingpositiveintheuk/october2021
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/research-shows-huge-benefit-of-covid-19-booster-shots/
https://www.mdlinx.com/news/wearing-face-coverings-protected-wearers-from-covid-19-infection-according-to-large-scale-study/2CRtSLwQ2ZkII6hQX2bhtj
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/12/briefing/when-will-covid-end.html
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/12/opinion/covid-omicron-data.html
