COVID-19 Update: Monday, February 15th

1. A study of areas that implemented mask mandates showed that mask mandates reduced hospitalization rates by about 4-5% among all but those over 68 - the reason we didn't see a decrease among those in the 68+ age group is because they were already wearing masks at a relatively high level so we didn't' see a big difference there.

2. BEWARE of headlines - they really can mislead you. I have again been seeing headlines that misrepresent themselves, such as the one that says 200+ people died after getting the vaccine - then when you read the article buried deep within it is the fact that none of those deaths were attributed to the vaccine. If you get the vaccine and then get hit by a car it isn't a vaccine-related death - any more than if you have COVID and die in a car accident it isn't a COVID death. Some people have died after getting the vaccine - this is true. About 0.003% of those who have gotten the vaccine. Most of those deaths will not be attributable to the vaccine but some may. A vaccine is a medicine and it has possible adverse side effects like any medication. So far there has been no pattern in the deaths which indicates it is not a widespread issue with the vaccine as much as a negative individual response. There are risks - we are wise and right not to deny that. Those risks are small, but they do exist but headlines for hype don't help and there are plenty right now.

3. After getting the vaccine there are some key things you should know. a) it is possible you may experience arm soreness and redness 10 days later. Weird but true. Typically you expect that right away but some people aren't experiencing it for some time. So just know that is a known oddity. I encourage you to report any weird or unpleasant side effects you may have to help contribute to the overall knowledge. b) you might feel under the weather, you might not. c) after getting vaccinated it is very normal for your lymph glands to swell as your immune system kicks into high gear. You may notice this in the glands in your neck, under your arms, or behind your knees. For women, this can cause you to feel a lump under your arm, or on the side of your breast which can be alarming and potentially anxiety inducing. In order to reduce these worries, current recommendations are to try to schedule your annual mammogram around the same time as your vaccine. This is not because there are concerns about the vaccine contributing to breast cancer, it is about relieving the angst that feeling a lump in your breast can cause.

4. The UK released information yesterday that the UK variant is "likely" deadlier and results in more hospitalizations than non-variant COVID-19 cases. The current vaccines are believed to protect against the UK variant.

5. Let's chat about the CDC saying if you have the vaccine you should still wear a mask but you don't have to quarantine if you have a known exposure. This seems contradictory but things aren't always what they seem. Vaccines are designed with multiple goals in mind but let's focus on three primary goals. Goal 1 - prevent severe illness and death (stop people from dying). Goal 2 - prevent all illness (stop the vaccinated from getting sick) and goal 3 - stop the spread. We know, from clinical trials that the current vaccines do extremely well at goal 1 (prevent death) and really well at goal 2 (prevent illness) but we didn't test for goal 3 - in that we don't know if you can still transmit the virus. That doesn't mean you can, it means we don't know. So, as a precaution, the CDC has asked people to continue wearing their masks even after being vaccinated. Also (and this is a BIG also) the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are not that great against the African variant and as new variants emerge we don't know how well they will work. So continuing to wear a mask and socially distance helps protect you from re-infection. It also reduces the risk that the virus could enter a vaccinated person via a new variant and start producing yet another variant or a vaccine-resistant variant. So the masks are important until we get the community transmission numbers down. The lack of quarantine is not open season, there are other criteria you have to meet in order not to quarantine, in addition to the completed vaccinations. But if you have completed that process your risk of transmitting the virus is lower than those who have not - that may change as the other variants become more prominent in the US. Considering the reduced risk, and that you will still be distancing and wearing a mask, your risk to others is even further reduced. Remember, everything we have been doing over the last year has been about determining our risk, our risk tolerance, and risk reduction.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Is this over yet? There aren't any great choices right now. We are all making our best choices, but we are choosing from among only unpleasant and difficult things. Risk this or risk that - which one do you pick? And no matter what you opt for, someone will have a strong opinion as to why that wasn't right. Chances are they will tell you to "wake up" or "open your eyes" or some other such phrase that has become so popular these days. Everyone seems to think anyone who doesn't agree with them is blinded to the truth. But the truth is we are all choosing from a list of undesirable choices. Make the choice that is right for you and know that you don't have to justify it. But in turn, you have to give that same grace to others. They have the right to make their own decisions, however much you may disagree with them. Let's be patient with each other because typing in all caps and name-calling doesn't change anyone's mind. Patience and understanding just might.

PS: I am doing a FB live event on Saturday night if you are interested. I doubt it will be anything you don't know, but friendly faces are always welcome. It is hosted by the Society for Disease Prevention. You can learn more at their FB page here: Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 8 PM ET. I have never done a FB live event so we will see how that goes.