COVID-19 Update: Friday, September 25

Numbers, Pets, COVID sniffing dogs, long-haulers and the flu.

1. US numbers are up for the second consecutive week following Labor Day. Could be a coincidence.

2. Three studies came out this week indicating that COVID can pass from humans to animals (we already knew this) but also from animals to humans (this is new). The studies were relatively small but all three found the same thing – if your pet catches it from you, they can spread it. So please protect your pets.

3. Dogs are being used to sniff out COVID and they are really good at it – like almost 100% right. How amazing is that?

4. There has been some progress in officially recognizing the issues that long-haulers are facing and trying to get official guidelines around it. First, we have identified two categories: post-acute COVID-19, to describe those who still have symptoms 3 weeks after onset, and Chronic COVID-19 for those who have symptoms that extend beyond 12 weeks. Second, the recommendation was made to not require the person to have had a positive COVID test before diagnosing acute COVID. While this may seem foolish, the rationale is quite solid, some people aren’t tested, some healthcare providers advise people just to stay home unless it gets worse so the person is never treated, and some get false negative test results. Symptoms long-haulers are experiencing include breathlessness, cough, palpitations, exercise intolerance, mental exhaustion, physical exhaustion, anxiety, depression, fatigue, inability to concentrate and brain fog” among others.

This seems like a good time to reiterate that getting and dying from COVID are not the only concern or reason we are avoiding this disease. In fact, statistically your chances are rather good that you won’t die from it. But the disease is still relatively new, and we are still learning about the long-term consequences of even a mild case. Case in point the recent discovery of heart problems among athletes or MIS-C among children, or the triggering of other chronic diseases such as diabetes. We don’t need to all live in bubbles, (although if we could get those bouncy ones that we could roll around in and bump into each other that may be fun for a minute) but we do need to wash our hands regularly, wear a mask when out in public, protect our pets, avoid crowded places and limit the amount of time we are in close contact with strangers to 10 minutes or less.

5. Winter is coming. That means we won’t be able to sit on the patio at restaurants, sports are more likely to be indoors and BBQ’s are coming to an end. As we have more indoor time with friends and family, our risk increases. Flu season will be upon us and that creates complications. First, the symptoms are very similar to COVID. So if you get sick you may have to have both tests – that costs more and is no fun as they stick those swabs up to your brain. (figuratively of course). Secondly, having one of the viruses weakens your immune system making you more susceptible to the other – and you can catch both. Not good. Third, about 40-60k people in the US die from the flu every year. Adding them to the healthcare flow could create issues and strain resources in some places. Finally, adding flu cases to the mix can create additional anxiety in places where flu cases are sure to pop up, such as schools. Imagine the disruption as kids and teachers alike are out due to a cough and fever and people have to be quarantined– it just complicates things. October is the best time to get your flu shot if you are so inclined. It takes 2 weeks to develop immunity after getting the vaccine.

FINAL THOUGHTS: It’s Friday and we have survived another week – the asteroid didn’t hit us, no dragons showed up this week, and the earth’s core hasn’t melted us yet. So far so good. Time to power up. Plan time over the weekend to rest and relax, whatever that looks like for you. Camping? Baking? Hiking? Building a miniature greenhouse to put in your real one? Dancing wildly around the living room? Reading a book? Maybe just laying on the couch watching TV or staring at the ceiling? Whatever it is, do it. Turn off the TV, your phone, your tablet, the news, all of it. Give yourself a negativity break, you’ve earned it. I’ll see you back here on Monday.