Covid-19 Update: Monday, August 24th

Reading level, airplane transmission, Remdesivir, new cases.

1. According to the CDC, COVID information that is shared with the public should be written at an 8th-grade level in order to maximize understanding. However, in an article published in JAMA that assessed COVID information they found most of it was written above the 8th grade level with significant amounts being at the 11th-grade level which is above the average reading level.

2. Current airplane transmission protocols include an assumption that COVID-19 can transmit about 2 rows – but a study conducted from tourists on a flight from Tel Aviv to Frankfort suggests it could spread further than 2 rows when protective measures are not taken (masks, etc.). You can read more about this study in JAMA.

3. In a clinical trial, hospitalized individuals who received Remdesivir as treatment were doing better, clinically than those who received standard care. This is a nice step in the process and indicates Remdesivir may be a viable option for the treatment of hospitalized patients. You can read more in JAMA.

4. New cases yesterday were in the 30k range which is the lowest we have seen in some time. Let’s hope it is part of a downward trend as more and more areas begin to pass mask mandates and social distancing becomes more normative.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Today is the start to a new week, hopefully, you took some time to walk away from all things COVID over the weekend. News is slowing down which is great, things are starting to settle a little as our new normal is finally starting to take hold. You have done well and weathered the storm thus far. Do not grow weary, stay the course. It is easy to let down your guard as things start to stabilize but it is our valiant efforts that have gotten us this far, now is not the time to give up. Just a little bit longer.