COVID-19 Update: Thursday, July 16, 2020

Increasing numbers, the latest mutation, long term neurological effects, testicles, the GDP and gyms.

NOTE: there was a lot of news this week, so I haven’t been able to discuss colleges and universities but I haven’t forgotten, we will get there early next week.

1. We ended yesterday with another day of very high numbers. Over 71k new cases and over 1,000 deaths. Deaths have seen a steady incline this week as predicted by many of the models. You may recall the CDC model predicted 148k deaths by the end of July. We are now at 140k. Texas led yesterday with 12k new cases, followed by Florida with 10k and then California with 9.6k.

2. Additional research has confirmed that the latest mutation does make the virus more infectious, but it does not make it more lethal. So some of the increase in spread/cases may be that it is simply easier to spread.

3. A study published in the Journal of Neurology suggests that COVID can cause neurological issues some of which may become chronic or at least long term due to the overall impact on the Central Nervous System (brain, and spinal cord). Another study published in Laryngoscope suggests some of those issues may include depression and anxiety which has been seen in people with COVID and those who have recovered. This is early research so we can’t know this for sure but further research is warranted.

4. You may recall that we previously discussed how viruses work and that they enter your cells by finding just the right “door” to get into the cell. Each virus looks for the “door” or receptor that it needs. This virus looks for a receptor called ACE2 which is a spike protein found in multiple places in the body including the lungs, heart and testes. We have found damage in both the lungs and heart both during active disease and after recovery. There has been conflicting research regarding virus in the semen, studies continue in that area to determine if enough active virus is present to suggest sperm as a means of transmission (currently there does not seem to be enough viral load for it to spread). However, Medical News Today, a study in preprint, a study from the NIH and a report from NCIB, all suggest that COVID could cause damage to the testicles including possible damage to the area responsible for producing sperm and 1/5 of patients in the studies complained of scrotal pain associated with COVID. All of these studies were small so further research is needed and we don’t know the extent to which the virus causes damage or if it will cause reproductive issues later. We do know men tend to die from the virus at a higher rate than women and women recover, on average, 2 days faster than men. We have detected several genetic factors associated with that and this could be another one.

5. A Goldman Sachs report estimates that expanding community mask use by 15% could prevent a second shut-down. A second shutdown would cost the nation 5% of GDP (estimate) which is the equivalent of $1 trillion. In related news, the CDC reports that mask

usage is up in many places. They also acknowledge that better fitting masks are more comfortable and more effective and additional education is needed in that area along with more comfortable designs, increased ease of use and more education on proper handling. But mask wearing is a minimal sacrifice, low tech option with high positive impact.

6. There is a preprint study going around that says gyms are low risk environments – which is in direct contrast with what experts are saying. When reviewing the study there were significant issues with it – namely, it was conducted in areas with very low numbers, virtually 0% which renders the findings of little to no value. So if you see that headline you can ignore it.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I chat with people throughout the day and week, the one thing I hear the most these days is that people are really struggling to find their motivation. They just don’t want to “do” anything so they have to force themselves to do what they must. Motivation seems to be in short supply. If that is you, you should know you are in the majority. We have reached that point. We have been digging deep and our proverbial buckets are low. Even on days when motivation may be high – or at least good, production is often low. This too is pretty normal right now. For those who aren’t or can’t take breaks it can be even worse. Listen to your body and know when to push yourself and when to give in. A day of rest, relaxation and recovery time are not luxuries, they don’t make you lazy, and they aren’t doing “nothing” they are you, actively recovering. They are necessary. It’s ok to say no to things, to be at maximum capacity and to say so, and to just Netflix and chill sometimes. Start planning now for how you will give yourself a break so that you can renter the fray fresh and ready. In the meantime, cut yourself some slack.