General Wellness

Good morning,

If you’re like me and check news daily about what is going on with Covid, then you are probably aware of the disappointing information about waning antibody levels.

If not, in a nutshell, studies from around the world are showing that people who contracted Covid-19 are having gradually decreasing levels of antibodies, suggesting that getting the infection may not provide protection for subsequent exposures. And indeed, there are mounting cases of repeat infection, some of which were worse than the first time around. There aren’t many of these but they are pretty well documented.

Although there does appear to be positive news about vaccines, whatever real world protection and for how long vaccines may provide is still very unclear.

What does all this mean? Well that is also still very unclear but the notion of “herd immunity” may be wishful thinking. We have to accept that our previous way of life may be over and a new normal is to be determined.

On the positive side, leaning on what we know from other infections, although antibody levels may be low, the cells which make those antibodies (T cells and B cells) still exist and may be stimulated to produce new antibodies so subsequent infections may be less severe. The operative word is MAY.

The bottom line is that we still need to be vigilant and slow this infection down. Hospital systems all over the US are becoming overrun and now that our politically motivated administration has mandated that hospitals report Covid data directly to the HHS, the department of Health and HumanServices, which controls release of data, rather than the CDC, whose data is freely available to the public, getting accurate information will become more difficult.

The most important thing we can do is not only protect ourselves, but be considerate of others and protect them as well. Remember that although masks help protect us, they mostly protect others from us, which is even more important.

Wear a mask.

Distance.

Limit movement.

Wash your hands.

Get healthy.

Stay safe and be well. 

AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻‍♂️🌎😷

Good Monday morning.

I wanted to clarify something which was pointed out to me about a response i m made to a question about masks based on a NEJM article.

Just to be clear: MASKS ARE CRUCIAL to help slow down the spread of this virus.

I had commented that anything which might downplay the role of masks is unfortunately interpreted by some people as justification not to wear a mask. This is just wrong.

Although there are different grades of masks and even N95 are not perfect, even a simple cloth mask reduces spread 6x.

I had compared masks to soft collars for neck injuries. Soft collars are only useful in that they remind the wearer to take it easy. Unlike collars, masks DO help althoug they also provide the wearer with a reminder that they should be vigilant. If you have a rock in your shoe, you walk more gingerly. If you wear a mask, you are less comfortable and are reminded why you are wearing it.

Have a great week.

Stay safe and be well.
AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻‍♂️🌎😷