Category Archives: COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Safe…Skepticism High Among Americans

Posted on by

Gallup polling shows about six in ten Americans are willing while four in ten Americans remain skeptical about taking a coronavirus vaccine

Polling has shown that there is lingering skepticism among Americans in taking the vaccines. Most cite the fact that the vaccine has been produced in months rather than the years it normally takes as the reason for the skepticism.

A Gallup poll released November 17, 2020, found Americans’ willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 rebounded. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Americans in the latest poll say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine, up from a low of 50% in September while 42% of Americans would not agree to get a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration. A plurality of the latter said the rushed timeline was a concern. Others cited a need to confirm it is safe or effective. Twelve percent said they generally don’t trust vaccines.

Globally, 61% of the world strongly agree with the statement, “vaccines are safe”, according to Gallup.

Unfounded fears about vaccine safety

“The process of the speed did not compromise, at all, safety, nor did it compromise scientific integrity,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. “It was a reflection of the extraordinary scientific advances in these types of which allowed us to do things in months that actually took years before.”

Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have all indicated that they will publicly take the coronavirus vaccine once approved and as soon as available to them, based on the priorities determined by public health officials in an effort to promote the vaccine’s use and safety.

Public health officials face an uphill climb in convincing a good share of the American public that the vaccine is safe and to receive the vaccination.

References:

  1. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/obama-coronavirus-vaccine/507-43ebe52f-3ad5-45e1-916f-1386f6eda819?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot
  2. https://news.gallup.com/poll/325208/americans-willing-covid-vaccine.aspx

Return Kids to In-Person Classroom

Posted on by

Many parents are rightfully concerned that their kids are not receiving the quality of educational services that schools are required, by law, to provide when school districts implement a 100% virtual learning or hybrid classroom model [that ask students to come to school on alternating days] options.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) contends that based on experience and research, remote learning is likely to result in severe learning loss and increased social isolation. Social isolation, in turn, can breed serious social, emotional and health issues: “child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, these impacts will be visited more severely on Black and brown children, as well as low-income children and those with learning disabilities.”

Children are safer in their schools. And, there are lots of kids in this country who are, for example, food insecure, who may be experiencing abuse at home — not to mention the obvious academic benefits of simply being in school. We know that remote learning is just not that good.

Nation’s Pediatricians support in-person schooling

The AAP guidance “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.” Their guidance says “schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being.”

The AAP cites “mounting evidence that transmission of the coronavirus by young children is uncommon, partly because they are less likely to contract it in the first place. Tests showed lower coronavirus rates in schools than in their surrounding communities.”

The guidance for in-person schooling includes recommendations to maintain physical distancing, cleaning and disinfection of classrooms, frequent hand-washing, and using outdoor spaces whenever possible.

Largest school system

New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to reopen the city’s public elementary schools and return to partial in-person learning. The plan is to reopen schools at the pre-k and K5 levels because “we have so much proof now of how safe schools can be” amid the contagion”, de Blasio remarked.

Yet, concern remains at what is the critical amount of community transmission that is at a safe enough level to open schools.

Parents and schools responsibilities

Schools are requiring parents to attest to the fact that their children are not showing symptoms and that they took their temperature in the morning prior to the student arriving at school.

Additionally, many schools are segregating kids into what they’re calling cohort groups, so that the same small group of 10 or 12 kids will stay together all day. That way, if there is a reported infection from one of those kids, then ideally you’re only contact tracing and quarantining that group instead of every child in the building.

Furthermore, students will be socially distanced and will be wearing masks. The challenge of footprint and the ability to space out desks remains a challenge for most schools. Some schools have put those kids in the gymnasium or had to start holding class outside, but that often requires more teachers.

“There seems to be less transmission from kids to adults than there is adults to adults. Kids don’t seem to be super-spreaders”, said Pediatrician Aaron Carroll of Indiana University. “We don’t have reports of sort of, you know, a kid going somewhere and spreading it to a bunch of other kids or even a bunch of other adults.”

Public health experts and infectious disease experts agree that we all have to do the right thing if we plan to send our kids back to school.

References:

  1. https://www.npr.org/2020/07/15/891598558/is-school-safe-will-districts-test-for-covid-19-answering-back-to-school-questio
  2. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/3/e20201440
  3. https://nypost.com/2020/11/29/nyc-elementary-schools-to-reopen-for-in-person-learning-dec-7/
  4. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/american-academy-of-pediatrics-says-benefits-of-in-person-learning-outweigh-coronavirus-risks/ar-BB16b9W9

Immune Response from COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted on by

Experiencing an immune response was better than getting Covid-19

Many participants in Moderna and Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine trials experienced an “immune response” such as high fever, body aches, bad headaches, daylong exhaustion and other symptoms after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine shots.

While the symptoms were uncomfortable for many, the participants said the symptoms went away after a day, sometimes sooner, and that “it was better than getting Covid-19”.

“We really need to make patients aware that this [COVID-19 vaccine] is not going to be a walk in the park,” Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the American Medical Association said. “They are going to know they had a vaccine. They are probably not going to feel wonderful. But they’ve got to come back for that second dose.”

Both companies, Moderna and Pfizer, acknowledged that their vaccines could induce “immune response” — side effects — that are similar to symptoms associated with mild COVID-19, such as muscle pain, chills and headache.

It’s normal to feel under the weather or even somewhat ill—fatigued, achey, or experience a fever—after getting a vaccine shot. This results from the robust immune response as the body’s creating antibodies, actual protection against the coronavirus. It will happen to a percentage of the people who get the vaccine shot.

In other words, feeling like you’re in the early stages of getting the coronavirus is actually a sign that you’ll be protected from the actual virus. What you’re feeling is the body’s defense system gearing up.

Most vaccine shots mimic a virus entering your body. Immune cells, though, fire off chemical alarms as soon as they notice any virus-like particle. They activate the innate immune system, a generalized response that tries to make the body unlivable for any potential pathogen. That inflammatory reaction can cause a bit of a fever or a tiny swollen lump near the injection site.

The fatigue you might feel comes from gearing up a more specialized immune defense. Tiny, specialized cells called B-cells create antibodies, which are cellular fighter pilots specific to each virus. Making these antibodies requires expending a little extra energy at first, but the payoff is future protection: Once they’re present in your plasma, the antibodies can patrol for future viruses.

Additionally, it takes about two weeks for your body to whip its antibodies into shape; you could pick up a coronavirus in the window between getting your jab and when protection kicks in. That’s why it’s important to make sure you only get a coronavirus vaccine shot, or any vaccine, when you’re feeling healthy.

Not everyone will notice these symptoms after getting the vaccine shot. But if you do seem a bit off, the feeling shouldn’t stick around for more than a day or two, and shouldn’t require a visit to your healthcare provider.

References:

  1. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/23/covid-vaccine-cdc-should-warn-people-the-side-effects-from-shots-wont-be-walk-in-the-park-.html
  2. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/feeling-sick-getting-flu-shot-150519027.html

COVID-19: How to protect yourself

Posted on by

To slow the spread of COVID19, CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings when around people not living in their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Learn more: bit.ly/30QOzQF
 

Face masks are the most important, powerful tool the country has to combat the COVID19 pandemic. “We have clear scientific evidence that face masks work”, said Dr. Redfield, Director of CDC. “So please wear one to protect yourself, your family, your community, and your nation.”

COVID19 cases are rising nationwide. Case rates in the last 7 days were highest in the Midwest. This Thanksgiving, protect yourself and loved ones:

  • Avoid Travel.
  • Gather virtually or outdoors.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Stay 6 feet from others.
  • Wash hands.

 

References:

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

Holiday Season Health and Safety Precautions

Posted on by

U.S. states grapples with a resurgence of coronavirus infections and new lockdowns on local economies

As Americans prepare to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, it’s important to take precautions to keep everyone safe. As you prepare for your Thanksgiving, it is also important that family and friends should consider their local numbers and rates of COVID-19 cases when deciding to host or attend a holiday celebration.

Americans should consider safe alternatives to the traditional ways of celebrating. COVID-19 can easily pass from person to person through close contact and it is difficult to maintain a safe distance with high volume holiday season activities.

During this holiday season, public health experts offer the following health and safety recommendations:

Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 During Gatherings and Celebrations

  • Do not host or participate in any festivities if you have been diagnosed, exposed to, or awaiting results from a COVID-19 viral test.
  • Limit the number of attendees as much as possible.
  • Provide or encourage attendees to bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy (i.e. extra masks, hand sanitizer, and tissues).
  • All individuals should wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.
  • If someone feels ill during the holiday season, get tested for COVID-19 and avoid going out in public or being around at-risk individuals.
  • Older adults or persons with certain underlying medical conditions who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at increased risk of severe illness, should avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in their household.
  • Consider hosting an outdoor gathering rather than an indoor gathering.
  • Guests who have traveled from other areas or towns should distance themselves from people who are 65 or older and people of any age who have underlying health issues such as lung or heart disease.
  • Hosts entertaining at home should make sure frequently touched surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after gatherings.

Holiday Travel

  • People who are sick should not travel—even if symptoms are mild, infection can spread to others.
  • When traveling always wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public places.
  • Avoid busy eating areas, such as restaurants during high volume mealtimes, if you plan to eat out at a restaurant.
  • If serving any food, consider having one person serve all the food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils.
  • If you are traveling to another state on a commercial flight, wear a mask and social distance as much as possible. If you feel ill upon return, get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible.

STAY SAFE!!!

References:

  1. http://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2020/11/111920-safe-and-healthy-holiday-season.pr.html

CDC Recommends Avoiding Traveling over Thanksgiving

Posted on by

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “strongly” recommends that Americans avoid traveling to see family members and friends over Thanksgiving. With the spread of the disease exploding in the U.S. and with several dozen states shattering records for daily new confirmed cases in the past week alone, the virus appears to be exponentially spreading across the country with records for new cases per capita being set in midwestern states.

“As we’re seeing exponential growth in cases, and the opportunity to translocate disease, or infection from one part of the country to another leads to our recommendation to, to avoid travel at this time,” said Dr. Henry Walke, CDC’s Covid-19 incident manager commented.

As of Wednesday, 11/18/2029, more than 250,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. And, roughly 1 million new COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the U.S. in the past week.

Risk comes not just from the mode of travel, but from transportation hubs that can make physical distancing more difficult.

Holidays typically attract large gatherings, which tend to be associated with higher COVID-19 transmission levels. As a result, you want fewer people gathering than usual, and it’s even better if they’re people already in your “bubble.”

Risk factors to consider before attending a gathering include community spread of COVID-19, both where the gathering is held and attendees are coming from; exposure during travel; the location and duration of the gathering; the number of attendees and capacity for physical distancing; and attendees’ preventive behaviors before and during the gathering, according to broader CDC advice on how to navigate holiday celebrations and gatherings.

The risk level also depends on attendees’ social contacts and exposures over the preceding couple of weeks, M. Kit Delgado, an assistant professor of emergency medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania explained. Sitting out this year’s big family gathering can help keep everyone safe — especially vulnerable family members — and avoid overburdening hospitals during flu season.

“Unfortunately, the merriment we crave — eating, drinking and singing together in a cozy room — are among the highest-risk scenarios for transmitting COVID-19,” Delgado said.

The dire COVID-19 infection numbers already had people reconsidering their Thanksgiving plans. AAA estimated that fewer Americans will travel for the holiday than last year — though this year’s number still hovers around 50 million people.

References:

  1. https://on.mktw.net/3pGIPEF
  2. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/11/19/936715870/dont-travel-for-thanksgiving-cdc-warns

Vaccines Show Greater than Ninety Percent Efficacy

Posted on by

“It’s not vaccines that save people; it’s vaccinations that will actually save people.” Edward Kelly, director of the WHO’s work on service delivery and safety

Biotechnology firm Moderna announced this week that preliminary results from large scale trials indicated that its coronavirus vaccine candidate demonstrated nearly 95 percent efficacy at preventing the illness.  This news comes on the heals of Pfizer’s announcement last week of it coronavirus vaccine candidate showed 95 percent efficacy (94 percent for adults over 65 years).

Efficacy refers to the performance of a treatment under ideal and controlled circumstances, and effectiveness is performance under real-world conditions. Clinical trials take place in a controlled environment to test if a vaccine is safe and if it works.

The efficacy rate means that COVID-19 symptoms were prevented for more than 90 percent for Pfizer’s coronavirus candidate and near 95 percent for Moderna’s candidate of participants who received the vaccine.

Pfizer plans to seek emergency use authorization for the vaccine, the company said.  This leave Pfizer’s vaccine on track to go into distribution by the end of the year if health regulators at the FDA permit.

Public health officials warn that the development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine represents the beginning of the challenge to vaccinate the world. “It’s not vaccines that save people; it’s vaccinations that will actually save people,” Edward Kelly, director of the WHO’s work on service delivery and safety, said.

A few of the significant challenges to vaccinate the world relate to vaccine supply, storage and distribution.  For example, Pfizer’s experimental vaccine requires ultracold storage conditions of about minus-70 degrees Celsius to ensure it remains effective.  While, Moderna’s vaccine can be kept at refrigerator temperatures for a month and frozen at minus-20 degrees Celsius for up to six months.

Additionally, there appears to be a steady reluctance among Americans and people across the globe to take the vaccine.  Convincing Americans that coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective will be another challenge thanks to the politicization of the vaccine development process by both sides of the aisle.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will ultimately decide whether to authorize vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and other candidates currently in large scale trials based on safety and effectiveness results that have been carefully reviewed by both government and independent health experts.

Health care workers should be given the highest priority to receive the vaccine and given to workers in essential industries, people with certain medical conditions, and people age 65 and older.

Bottom line, no vaccine is 100% effective, and whatever protection vaccines may provide, people should continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing, wash hands frequently, not touch their face and avoid crowded indoor gatherings until public health officials determine and the infection numbers demonstrate that the virus is under control.

References:

  1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/11/16/who-vaccine-moderna-pfizer/
  2. https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-95-effective-in-final-results-company-to-seek-approval-within-days-11605699996
  3. https://time.com/5907908/biden-administration-covid-19/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=health_covid-19&linkId=104044772

COVID-19 Risk Assessment Planning Tool

Posted on by

The risk assessment planning tool is designed to tell you how likely you are to encounter a coronavirus-infected person at an event.

The COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool, conceived by Joshua Weitz, a quantitative biologist, and built by a team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), offers a risk level forecast for every county in the United States. The risk level is the estimated chance (0-100%) that at least 1 COVID-19 positive individual will be present at an event in a county, given the size of the event.

The tool assumes that the actual number of coronavirus cases is up to 10 times higher than what’s in the official reports, because not all cases will be caught by tests.

The map is updated daily with the latest information on how many cases have been tallied in every county across the U.S. The COVID-19 Risk Assessment Planning Tool went live in July, and the tool’s creators reported that 2 million people had visited the site by September.

The hope is that people would use the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Planning Tool to help them make decisions about how many local friends and family to invite to their celebrations, and whether traveling to different parts of the country is worth the risk, according to Clio Andris, Assistant Professor of City and Regional Planning and Interactive Computing, at Georgia Tech.

References:

  1. https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-11-11/covid-19-risk-thanksgiving-2020-what-to-expect
  2. https://covid19risk.biosci.gatech.edu

U.S. in a “Bad Position”

Posted on by

White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that the United States is in a “bad position” as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surge in many parts of the nation. “When you look at the country and the heat map color, when you see red dots, which indicate that that part of the county, the city … is having an uptick in cases … all of that puts us in a precarious situation.”

References:

  1. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/28/coronavirus-dr-fauci-says-us-is-in-a-bad-position-as-daily-cases-hit-record-highs.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.microsoft.msedge.EMMXShareExtension