COVID-19 Update: March 30th 2022

Super quick update on kids and second boosters

1. I want to share the good news that a recent study indicates that reinfection rates among children under 16 are pretty low. Meaning, the risk of getting COVID a second, time, for children under 16, is pretty low. The risk of reinfection seems to increase with age. This is pretty good news. Of course, it doesn't mean it can't happen. Children who are immunocompromised are at the highest risk of reinfection. Reinfection was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or severe illness.

2. Do you need another booster? Currently, the CDC recommendations are if you are over 50 or are immunocompromised then the 2nd booster is recommended at least 4 months after the first booster. Essentially, what a study out of Israel found was that a second booster, for most of us, doesn't increase immunity enough to make it worth it. But for those who are over 50 and/or are high risk/immunocompromised, that extra boost can make a difference. This can get a little tricky because lots of studies are coming out on this right now and many are in pre-print version (meaning not yet peer-reviewed) - here is the nutshell of what we know a) a second booster has proven safe for people b) in those over 65 the protection is strong c)the issue is not that it doesn't work, but that it doesn't last as long as we would like, d)it does prevent hospitalization and death at about the same rate as the first booster. This is ever-evolving so don't be surprised if these recommendations also evolve.

3. Keep an eye on the numbers during April. We are nearing the end of our 10 weeks of immunity so the next few weeks will give us a really good idea of what is truly happening with the virus - is it really settling into something more manageable or was that just our 10-week break?

FINAL THOUGHTS: Last night my daughter was chatting with me and mentioned that she had a lie bump on her tongue that made it burn when she ate fruit. Teasingly I asked her, "have you been telling lies" to which she responded, "only when people ask how I'm doing and I say "doing good."" We chuckled a little and then I asked - so, how are you really doing? Today, I want to ask you the same thing. How are you really doing? And I want to challenge you to ask others how they are really doing. Let's be honest with each other. We have had 2 years of the pandemic, and it is not over. We are now watching a war, for some, they are not watching they are suffering. Prices are up, gas is up, food supplies are down - things are tough. So how are you really doing? Don't be afraid to be honest. I'll go first. Today, I am good. Two weeks ago - not as much. Exhaustion had settled in and motivation was at an all-time low. Physically, mentally and emotionally I was just spent. It all caught up and I found myself....well...exhausted. So I gave myself permission to stop pushing so hard and doing so much. In fact, I started prioritizing myself. And now, I am so much better for it. I am less stressed, more rested, and an all-around more pleasant person to be around. (Although, for full transparency, I must admit I am still grumbling about how cold it is) Now, it's your turn. Your turn to be honest about how you are, your turn to listen to others share how they are, and your turn to prioritize your needs so that you too can be more rested and more pleasant to be around.