COVID-19 Update: Wednesday, December 2nd

Vaccine distribution, shortened quarantine, Moderna review, Parkinson's, and AstraZeneca.

1. The CDC has voted to give the first round of vaccines to healthcare providers and those living in long-term care facilities. This was the expected course of action so there isn't anything surprising here. There was one person at the vote who voted against giving it because they felt there was not enough data on how it would impact the elderly. There are still lots of questions so I will be working on pulling together some "what if" answers for Friday. The FDA will review the Pfizer vaccine on December 10th to determine approval. Just a reminder that side effects can be unpleasant for some so just go into it knowing that. Pfizer has published some additional information on their website: https://www.pfizer.com/news/hot-topics/our_covid_19_vaccine_study_what_s_next

2. The CDC has also shortened the quarantine period for those who were exposed but who have not tested positive. You may recall we discussed this a week or so ago but at that time it was not official, it now is. The new recommendations are: Good - after 7 days if you test negative and have no symptoms you can exit quarantine. Better - after 10 days with no symptoms you can exit quarantine and Best choice - remain in quarantine the full 14 days. This is designed to provide options and increase compliance. It is worth noting that most people will develop symptoms within 5 days of exposure if they are going to, so by 7 days you would know if you were going to develop symptoms although you could be a carrier. With the test, we would know that too, so the risk of this revised protocol is mild-moderate.

3. The FDA will review the Moderne vaccine on December 17th.

4. There have been at least three known COVID patients that have developed Parkinson's like illness following contracting COVID. The evidence is not yet strong enough to determine a causal effect but this is being monitored. It is not unusual for viruses to cause the onset of other illnesses, continue to be diligent and remember that while we know much more about COVID than when we started, we do not yet fully understand the virus and/or long term impact.

5. AstraZeneca has revealed that the dosing plan with the higher efficacy rating was administered by accident. The dosing that was a 1/2 dose for the first dose and then a full second dose was an error, a happy accident of sorts. Relatively few people were given that dosing (in comparison to the intended dosing) so some scientists are calling for an extension of the study in order to gain more information on that specific dosing. So this is something to watch.

6. The US hit 14 million cases yesterday which keeps us at adding a million cases at 6 days, the same pace we have been at for the last two weeks. One note - some places did not conduct testing or report results on Thursday due to the holiday. Enough to matter? We can't know for sure but it is possible. Now we watch to see if there is a spike this week from Thanksgiving. If so, we should hit 15 million in less than 6 days - if not, we are holding steady - too high, but at least steady. I will update this on Friday.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I hope you have started baking cookies, decorating, and singing holiday songs, and relaxing into the holiday season. If not, start today, consider it a celebration of all we have done, all we have overcome and every thought you have kept to yourself over the last year. We are nearing the end.