General Wellness

Let me start off with some good news. We are getting many people vaccinated, much more than in most countries in the world. In many places, we are doing well enough that vaccinations are being opened up to younger and younger people. In addition, if you have not yet gotten vaccinated, you can still protect yourself if you remain careful and follow the MASK/DISTANCING/WASHING guidelines.

But that second point is not what is going on.

Despite a 40% increase in cases in the last week, NJ announced even more loosening of indoor dining and public space restrictions. Masks are no longer mandated. WTF??? Overall in the US, there is a 20% increase in cases in the last week.

When all this started, our numbers basically paralleled the world numbers, they just lagged by a few weeks and that is what we are seeing once again. Numbers are on the rise. Not only in Europe and South America, where it is almost as bad as it was at the peak of this pandemic, but also here in the US. In many states, there is close to a 50% increase this last week over previous weeks. In Europe, they are locking down. In the US, we are opening up???

Why is vaccination not enough? Despite having one of the best vaccine rollouts and highest rates of vaccination in the US, Michigan is having a huge surge in Covid cases, and almost 50% of them are the NEW coronavirus variant. I call it NEW because it is almost a completely different virus. The newest data shows that it is nearly twice as infectious as the original Covid virus and causes 60% more serious disease, resulting in significantly more hospitalization and death. Most concerning is that kids are just as likely to contract and transmit these variants as adults are, whereas they were less susceptible to the original virus. Kids can also get just as sick. Lastly, having suffered the original infection or having been vaccinated provides much less protection against the variants.

As far as world vaccination is concerned, there is extreme disproportionality. 80% of the world’s population only has access to 20% of the vaccine. The richest countries are monopolizing the vaccine. That’s one of the main reasons that this will not go away anytime soon. It will keep circulating and recirculating with recurring outbreaks over and over again. As the virus is allowed to survive, more and more variants will emerge and we will continue to chase our tails.

Opening up as the numbers rise? Loosening safety measures when these variants are exploding on the scene?  Does it make any sense?

The other bit of great news, it’s Spring. It is getting warmer and there is more light. Speaking of light, it remains dim at the end of the pandemic tunnel but it has not been extinguished! We can defeat it if we just remain vigilant, careful and, most importantly, patient and compassionate towards each other.

Have a great, safe holiday weekend. Celebrate safely with your families if you can. If you can’t, celebrate virtually. We’re all tired of it but we’re also all pretty good at it at this point.

Vaccinated or not, whether you had Covid-19 or not, continue to practice safety measures and remember that it is not just about you, it’s about everyone else.

MASK

DISTANCE

WASH

VENTILATE

VACCINATE

GET HEALTHY!

Stay safe and be well.

AC 🌱 ✌️

The last week has seen an 11% increase in cases in the US while case numbers rise at a much greater rate in most other parts of the world.

Lagging behind by ~ 2 weeks, hospitalizations and deaths in the US are also on the rise by about 4% and 3% respectively. And we have not even started to see the post-March break surge which is undoubtedly headed our way. 

In addition, serious cases and hospitalizations are occuring in younger and younger people, including children.

WHY? Variant SARS-Cov-2 viruses and irresponsible delusional behavior.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the variant viruses are major players in most of the rest of the world accounting for as much as 80% of new cases.

These viruses are 60-70% more infectious, especially in kids, cause 60% more significant disease which translates into more hospitalizations and death and are also not as well covered by our present vaccines.

We are seeing more cases in younger people because most older people are already vaccinated and their behavior continues to be more responsible. Younger people are partying like it’s 1999. Clubs are packed. People are eating in full restaurants. Masks are becoming more and more scarce.Crossfit gyms are filled. 

Relaxing governmental policies are not helping either. Making masks optional and increasing the capacity rules for public spaces is giving people licence to go back to “normal”.

CDC director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, gave a near tearful plea about continuing to be careful and expressed grave concern that we are on the verge of a new outbreak.

This is not a reason to be hopeless however, just more vigilant. We CAN control this but we need to control ourselves. Get vaccinated and continue to be vigilant with precautionary behaviors.

Can you get together with some family for the upcoming holidays, sure, but it depends. If everyone is vaccinated, that would be safer but you STILL need to keep the numbers down. Continue to ventilate rooms well. Continue to mask if there is any concern. Be careful who you get together with and how many are involved. If your best friend is very careful but their teen is a truant, maybe you need to continue to keep some distance. It’s better than nothing.We have no option but to do all we can to keep this under control and the vaccines are not the answer. They are a BIG part of the solution but so is responsible, careful and unselfish behavior.

PLease hold out a little more and keep doing the things we know are necessary and safe.

VACCINATE!

MASK UP. Even after vaccination.

DISTANCE. 3 feet is NOT enough, espetially in unknown situations.

WASH your hands, sanitize and stop touching your face.

VENTILATE.

GET HEALTHY. You have an opportunity to get better. Physically, mentaly, socially… Just Do IT!

Stay Safe and Be Well.

AC