May 26, 2022
It ain't over
I have been distracted lately, especially the last week. My gallbladder suddenly decided it needed attention and asked to be removed. Not politely though, that was the hard part. I am at home again and recovering, sore and bruised, but otherwise fine. I fully intend to write and catch us up with new developments and possible concerns. Here is a brief beginning.
As we all know cases are occurring everywhere. Previously careful people are testing positive for COVID-19. What is going on and what can we do?
As experts predicted, COVID-19 continues to mutate as it is transmitted. One of the new variants becomes the dominant one transmitted. Masks mandates have eased and people want to get back to normal life. Mask wearing has decreased, though there are still many that are vigilant, many are not. Schools have been breeders, especially ones without masking policies. Some universities are adding back mask mandates.
At the same time, many of us stopped being as careful- pandemic fatigue is real. We let down our guard because we feel safer around people we know, our friends and family. We go to church go the gym, two places with higher transmission rates because of close contact, singing, talking, and breathing hard. Ventilation is also not the best in churches and gyms.
Vaccines have continued to prevent younger people from getting seriously ill or dying, but older people become vulnerable sooner as their immunity wanes after their vaccines. Even reinfections are increasing.
Some data shows the mRNA vaccines are better for prevention the variants, but that can go away. Now is the time to get that 2nd booster rather than waiting. Sweden now recommends a 3rd booster in the fall for people over 65 and pregnant women who are more vulnerable. Moderna has an updated vaccine that covers some of the variants that they will ask approval for.
Especially with concerns the new variant may be more infectious and dangerous, along with rebound symptoms of COVID after some people have taken Paxlovid, it is easy to feel as if things will never improve and that we are stuck in a cycle of new variants and new waves. Sigh.
Data still shows that wearing good masks work- they decrease transmission of infectious virus and protect the wearer from exposure. Back to the Swiss cheese approach of prevention, get boosted at least twice, find well ventilated areas to visit. Get some of the free tests the government gives us. Peace of mind to check yourself when you start to worry. Have a back up plan to get treatment. Wash your hands, cover your nose, keep safe six in a week ventilated areas, and get your second booster.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35271560/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/us/jay-inslee-covid-positive.html
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/another-omicron-subvariant-is-now-dominant-among-new-u-s-cases/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/us/masks-hawaii-delaware.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220517151826.htm mrna better VRC
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/20/us/politics/cdc-second-booster.html
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/sweden-recommends-5th-covid-vaccine-shot-for-those-who-are-pregnant-over-65-or-immune-compromised/ar-AAXGc4u
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/dominant-coronavirus-mutant-contains-ghost-of-pandemic-past/
https://www.statnews.com/2022/05/24/paxlovid-rebound-has-covid-researchers-looking-for-theories/
https://www.covid.gov/tests