COVID-19 update: Friday, December, 3rd, 2021

More about Omicron,

1. Omicron is in the United States. I don't think anyone is shocked by this news, but we can assume at this point that it is across the US. We have found it in California, Colorado, Minnesota, Hawaii, and New York. Now it becomes a battle of sorts between Delta and Omicron to see which will prevail as dominant. Based on what was seen in South Africa, it will not surprise anyone if Omicron becomes the dominant variant. But again, we can't know that for sure.

2. Omicron has roughly 30 mutations on the spike protein. Typically, when we have seen new variants they have had 8-10 mutations - 30 is a lot more. The vaccines are all based on this protein. With 30 changes in that protein, we would be irresponsible not to question how well the vaccines will work against it. It will take roughly 2 weeks for us to know that. If, and that is an if, the vaccines don't work against it, it could take months to modify them. Current research out of Rockefeller University, (very preliminary so take it for what it is) suggests that 3 exposures to the virus can boost protection against Omicron. So the 2 shot vaccines and a booster, or 2 shots and natural COVID infection. That does call to question what about J&J vaccinated and a booster? No answer yet but it seems questionable for that group. This honestly could all go either way - so don't worry just yet. Also, keep in mind it may be that the vaccines work but just not quite as well, so there is a wide spectrum of possible findings here.

3. Lots of rumors are flying about if Omicron will be more or less severe in regards to illness. Again -too soon to tell. A doctor in South Africa reported his patients were largely mild to moderate severity. But that is one doctor reporting. South Africa in general, has seen significant increases in hospitalizations in areas with Omicron. And by significant I mean 400-800% increases. But that doesn't necessarily mean it was Omicron that is doing it. We have to be patient as data is collected and we see. It would be really great if it is less severe. But consider that even if fewer people (i.e. a smaller percentage) get severely ill and/or die if we are seeing a significant increase in the number of sick people overall - that will all wash out. So percentages may change but that may or may not = count/number changes. Let me know if this doesn't make sense.

4. One final thing about Omicron, early indications are that it increases your likelihood of reinfection 8 fold. In epidemiological terms, that is a lot.

5. Because people are being pressured into getting the vaccine, there is now a new angle on misinformation - how to "detox" your body from the vaccine. Most of what is being suggested is being done to sell people things that won't do anything at all but drain your wallet. Other suggestions however are actually dangerous (like soaking in a borax bath). Please do not trust or believe "medical" advice gotten from TikTok or FB etc.

6. They have found markers in the blood that may help predict who will have severe COVID. This is really great news. You can read the study here.

7. If you have not yet embraced the permanent nature of COVID I would like to encourage you to start that process. We won't be able to eradicate it for lots of reasons, but in part, because it has found so many animal hosts. Even when the current pandemic wanes (and it eventually will) the virus will be in animals. Covid will eventually be like every other seasonal illness. The difference is that then we will have improved prevention methods, more powerful diagnostic tools (like the biomarkers to identify who may become severe), and better treatments. Right now we are just figuring it out. Like so many pandemics before it, eventually, the case counts will fall and we will have had enough time to be better suited to manage it all.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Welp....we missed the window for the flu vaccine in our house. I had us scheduled for next weekend - but I have two down with the flu. If we had time and were sitting over coffee I would regale you with all that this has brought with it. You would laugh and cry. You would roll your eyes and your mouth would gape from the story. We would shake our heads in disbelief and make that sound that people make at the end of a story that tap dances on all our emotions. But suffice it to say this week has been....eventful and exhausting. My daughter can barely walk to the bathroom without stopping to rest but in her head, she is going to be able to go to work tomorrow.

I had to reassure her that it was ok not to be ok. I've actually had that conversation with numerous people this week, including myself. So now, I will have it with you. It is ok to not be ok. It is ok, to need to sit down for a minute and catch your breath. It is ok to be so completely over all of this and to desperately just want it to all be over. It's ok to admit you are overwhelmed, exhausted, and just need a break. It's ok to say no. It's ok to say no even when you don't have a good excuse for doing so. It's ok to drink hot chocolate and watch ridiculously predictable Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. It is ok to take care of yourself. In fact, you absolutely should. It's ok. No one will think less of you. No one will think you are weak. Please, take care of yourself. Oh...and wash your hands.