Covid-19 Update: Saturday, November 27th

There is a lot here today and it is a bit heavy, so do a quick mental health check first and skip it if today isn't the day. Omicron, Ivermectin doc gets covid, Buffalo, Insurance, chewing gum

1. Let's talk about the new variant, Omicron. It was first detected in South Africa and it is considered a VOC (a variant of concern). Currently, most of our PCR tests do detect it, which is good news. There have been no known cases in the US - also good news, but of course, that doesn't mean it isn't here. Most likely it is already here. But, I don't want anyone to hit the panic button just yet. We have seen other VOCs make it to multiple countries and not become an issue, so it is possible this one won't either. We are in a state of "wait and see." Here is what the fuss is all about. You may recall that a VOC is a variant that demonstrates an:

"increase in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology; OR increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation; OR

decrease in the effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics" -WHO

Right now countries are being asked to collect data, conduct research, and of course track this variant as much as possible so we can learn about the possible impact. Honestly, at this point, we just don't know enough to know for sure what impact it will have. We suspect, let me say it again, we SUSPECT, it may spread easier and that it may evade treatment. But we do not know that for sure. And, right now, Delta is "king" so to speak, so this new variant would have to be more transmissible and more significant to push Delta out and become dominant. That would be a bad sign indeed and if that happens we would anticipate a significant increase in cases and deaths. We do not yet have any good idea how well the vaccines will work against it. Nations are working to get the sequencing and share that so we can do the research to figure that out.

But again, we are in a bit of a wait-and-see situation. Early indicators in South Africa do seem to suggest that the omicron variant is indeed more transmissible, is pushing out Delta there (but that is very early data and not yet confirmed), and it does seem to be associated with more reinfection (meaning you are more likely to get it again). None of that is good. But it is also too early to know for sure. I would recommend dusting off the hand sanitizer and reassessing your current level of precautions to decide if you need to make any adjustments in what you are doing as we wait. As we begin to hear about cases in the US, you will want to turn up the dial on your personal precautions again avoiding large, indoor gatherings, hand sanitizing, masking and distancing. It may be a good time to change out your air filter. And if you haven't gotten your flu vaccine yet - you may want to move that to the top of your to-do list. We need to be aware here, but don't be too concerned just yet. Should the need arise, I will for sure let you know.

1. Some anti-vaccine doctors met to discuss alternative options for COVID. One of them is quoted as saying: "I have been on ivermectin for 16 months, my wife and I, I have never felt healthier in my life.” The 71-year-old cardiologist contracted COVID-19 two days later. Additional doctors attending the event are also now testing positive. I typically try to reserve judgment but I do have to say here that I am a bit befuddled by people who think the vaccine is too unproven for them to take it but they will use other, unproven options such as taking medicine intended for live stock? Ivermectin can be quite dangerous when taken in large doses. Please know that there are clinical trials currently underway to determine if there is any value from the use of ivermectin in preventing or treating COVID. That process will also establish the safe dosing should the find the drug to be of value.

2. Hospitals in Buffalo, NY are reporting that they are now 90% full due to COVID. The city is reinstituting mask mandates indoors. We are probably going to have a rather rough winter.

3. Remember when I mentioned Singapore and that they were no longer going to pay the hospital bills of those who got COVID because they wouldn't get vaccinated? Do you recall we discussed that this established a dangerous precedent? We are now starting to see indications of that in the US where some insurance companies are now going to be charging higher premiums to those who are unvaccinated.

4. A new study of an experimental chewing gum specifically designed to trap the Sars-Cov2 virus is being tested to see if it can reduce viral shedding. Thus far it appears to be quite successful. You can read more about the study here.

5. In case you are still unconvinced, a new study published in BMJ shows that handwashing, mask-wearing, and physical distancing are associated with reductions in the incidence of covid-19. Mask wearing was the most effective. You can read that study here.

6. Another study came out of Norway this week showing there is no connection between vaccination and miscarriage. You can read that study here.

7. There is a growing concern about the long-term impact COVID is going to have on the medical community. As more and more people are experiencing long-covid, the need for long-term care is anticipated to be overwhelming on the system. Cities are starting to work on creating COVID clinics specifically for this. Dying is not the only measure of severity.

Yep - there are two number 1's above. Silly thing the computer did "for me" that I could not figure out how to undo.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude, and pie. We have had a couple of rough years, all of us. Millions of people around the world have lost loved ones, children have become orphans, and we have all dug deeper than we thought possible. We have lost so much and yet, we still have much to be thankful for. Sometimes we have to look at the very smallest of things and build from there. I recently discovered blueberry coffee. I am so incredibly thankful for blueberry coffee. As we head into the holiday season I want to encourage you to rest when you need it (be kind to yourself), to lend a hand to others when they need it (be kind to others), and find comfort in the little things (choose joy).