COVID-19 Update: Monday, November 16th

1. Let's start the week with good news, Moderna has released a statement saying their vaccine is 94.5% effective. As a reminder, the way these trials work is that we give 1/2 the people (roughly speaking) the placebo and 1/2 the vaccine. Then we wait for people to get infected (they are not exposed to the virus as part of the process). As people get infected we watch to see if it was the people in the placebo group or the vaccine group. In this case, 30k people were in the study. Thus far, 95 of them have gotten COVID, 90 were in the placebo group and only 5 were in the vaccinated group. 11 cases developed into severe COVID with all 11 being in the placebo group. While we still don't know how long immunity will last this is promising news. The Moderna vaccine also doesn't require the extreme cold storage that the Pfizer vaccine does which is further good news. The Moderna vaccine can be stored in normal refrigeration for up to one month.

2. In less optimistic news, emerging evidence suggests that up to 20% of people who develop COVID will also experience COVID induced long term mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, and "brain fog"

3. In more good news, the evidence is growing that some people (an estimated 5%) may have natural immunity without ever getting COVID. It appears to be associated with prior exposure to other coronaviruses and age appears to be a factor - these protective antibodies appear to be more plentiful in those under age 16 but not exclusive to them. Of course, the average person has no idea if they are among that group or not, but it is promising. Research in this area continues and this information will shift as we learn more.

FINAL THOUGHTS: We have much to be thankful for today but the year has still been long and for many people, the days are wearing on like a pair of uncomfortable shoes. Today, as we start a new week, I want to encourage you to speak only truth. When people ask how you are, tell them the truth. We so seldom tell the truth as we strive to be strong and/or not be any trouble. But you are worth the trouble. Even the strong grow weary and being honest takes far greater strength than telling convenient lies. So today, resolve to speak only the truth.