“You did everything you could to stay safe. You socially distanced. You wore a mask. You avoided large gatherings and unsafe indoor environments. When the coronavirus vaccine became available, you got in line and got your shots. Now that eight months have passed, you're getting ready to get a booster.
“But for your safety and the safety of those around you -- including kids who are about to start getting their vaccinations – it's time to take a deep breath, tap the brakes, continue using your mask indoors, and not re-engage with large crowds just yet.”
(Dr. Jay Bhatt. “Got your booster? Here are 5 reasons to keep following public health measures for a bit longer.” ABC News. November 4, 2021.)
For your safety and the safety of those around you – including kids who are about to start getting their vaccinations – it's time to take a deep breath, tap the brakes, continue using your mask indoors, and not re-engage with large crowds just yet.
According to Dr. Jay Bhatt – physician executive, internist, geriatrician, public health innovator and widely quoted expert on healthcare transformation and improving healthcare outcomes – here are five reasons why.
Your body needs time to build immunity to COVID-19.
COVID-19 is still a risk.
It's flu season.
Other viruses are out there.
Community transmission matters.
This chart illustrates how protective measures such as limiting travel, avoiding crowds, social distancing, and thorough and frequent handwashing can slow down the development of new COVID-19 cases and reduce the risk of overwhelming the health care system.
Mask Up
Why is the CDC asking fully vaccinated people to wear masks again?
We know that people who are fully vaccinated have a much smaller risk of getting sick if they are exposed the Delta variant. However, in July 2021, the CDC advised all people – vaccinated and unvaccinated – to wear masks in public indoor places, in areas with substantial or high transmission of the virus. The CDC has always advised unvaccinated people to mask indoors, and also advises anyone at increased risk to wear a mask indoors, regardless of the level of community transmission. The change in guidance for people who are fully vaccinated was made amidst increasing numbers of infections and hospitalizations across the country.
The Delta variant is more capable than the original virus of getting into cells that line the nose, mouth, and throat. Once these variants get inside the cells, they rapidly make copies of themselves, increasing what is called the viral load. That’s why people who are fully vaccinated can still carry greater amounts of the Delta variant, making it more likely that they could spread the virus to others.
Harvard Medical School says …
“This is where the new masking guidelines come in. Masks reduce the amount of virus we breathe in, and breathe out. Combined with the vaccine, masks provide a one-two punch that reduces the risk of spread – to children who are not yet eligible for vaccines, to people with weakened immune systems, and to others who are unvaccinated.
“Masks also provide additional protection for the wearer, even those who are fully vaccinated … the Delta variant has led to a number of breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, and masks provide another layer of protection.”
(“Preventing the spread of the coronavirus.” Harvard Health Publishing. November 02, 2021.)
Having Safer Holiday Gatherings
According to a Marist Poll published in September, most Americans (nearly 80 percent) say they have gotten or will get a Covid vaccine, but nearly 20 percent still say they do not intend to be vaccinated.
(“NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist National Poll: COVID.”Marist Institute for Public Opinion. September 03, 2021.)
That doesn’t sit well with some of the people who have already rolled up their sleeves. A recent Harris Poll found that half of the more than 1,400 vaccinated respondents were either “extremely” or “considerably” hesitant to spend the holidays with unvaccinated family members or friends.
Alison Durkee . “Half Of Vaccinated Americans Might Not Spend The Holidays With Unvaccinated Family And Friends, Poll Finds.” Forbes. September 21, 2021.)
“Be not afraid, but be reasonable,” said Dr. Juan C. Salazar, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist and physician-in-chief of Connecticut Children’s in Hartford, Conn. You can still get together, he said, but each family will need to ask one crucial question: “What is the likelihood that we will get very sick from Covid-19?”
(Christina Caron. “How to Host Thanksgiving With Unvaccinated Friends and Family.” The New York Times. November 02, 2021.)
While it’s impossible to eliminate all risk from your holiday get-togethers, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of catching or spreading the coronavirus.
"The most important thing is to make sure that everyone is vaccinated. This is really the No. 1 measure we do to limit the spread of this pandemic," says Raymund Razonable, M.D., a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases physician.
Razonable says small, indoor gatherings where everyone in attendance is fully vaccinated should be OK to attend if everyone is feeling well. He also recommends anyone eligible receive their third dose or booster vaccination at least two weeks prior to holiday gatherings.
(“Plan for a safe Thanksgiving gathering.” Mayo Clinic Health System. November 02, 2021.)
Regardless of whether your guests are vaccinated, one of the safest places to gather is outdoors. If you are attending an indoor gathering, open the windows and – if you have the extra cash – consider buying a HEPA air purifier to reduce the amount of airborne virus, Dr. Mina said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking a coronavirus test ahead of a holiday celebration can reduce the risk of spreading the virus, particularly when people from multiple households and different parts of the country mix.
If you want to be safer with holiday gatherings, you could also take advantage of rapid COVID tests – typically antigen tests that detect small bits of viral protein using similar technology to that used in pregnancy tests. An advantage of this type of testing is that the results are back in minutes.
While rapid testing may be a useful way to reduce your risk as holiday gatherings approach, it’s not perfect. Cost per test is high, generally $10 to $40 in the US. That’s especially hard for people with limited resources and those at higher risk for infection and complications from COVID-19. Rapid tests may be hard to find, too, although the Biden administration has vowed to address lack of availability by pledging several billion dollars to expand rapid testing. The health department in your community may be able to help you find test sites.
The FDA has given emergency use authorization to nearly 40 different tests, and research suggests that different brands vary widely in their accuracy. And, remember, Results only apply to the time that the test is performed. Plus, false-positive results may occur.
Harvard concludes …
“Despite its limitations, rapid testing for COVID-19 is a strategy worth considering for holiday gatherings or group activities during which exposure to the virus is possible. Ideally, simplified rapid testing will become readily available at low (or no) cost soon. So, think about putting rapid COVID testing on your holiday to-do list, and consider offering tests to guests before you sit down for the turkey. It doesn’t take long, and the turkey probably won’t be ready on time anyway.”
(“Preparing for the holidays? Don’t forget rapid tests for COVID-19.” Harvard Health Publishing. November 02, 2021.)
Health experts say even when the holiday is over and you're back at home, you should monitor symptoms after your gathering – keep an eye out for symptoms in yourself and family members. If you do believe you are showing signs of COVID-19 infection, get a test and alert those who you spent time with during the holiday.
The Selkirk Grace
“The Selkirk Grace” is an old Scottish thanksgiving which was popularized by Robert Burns (1759-1796). It’s customary for this short grace to be recited, before the meal begins, at Burns suppers throughout the world. Burns Night (celebrated on the poet's birthday of January 25) is considered to be Scotland’s “other national day," alongside St Andrew’s Day in November.
The Selkirk Grace
"Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad
eat that want it:
But we hae meat and we can eat
And sae the
Lord be thankit".
English Translation
"Some have meat and cannot eat,
And some
cannot eat that want it;
But we have meat and we can eat
And
so the Lord be thanked".
No comments:
Post a Comment