As we head into the Chanukah, Christmas, New Year’s, Kwanza season most of us are gathering with loved ones and friends to celebrate. COVID remains at epidemic to pandemic levels, depending on who you choose to believe. As posted in the Wall Street Journal on the weekend of December 3, 90% of the 300 plus daily COVID related deaths in the United States are now occurring in vaccinated individuals 65 years of age or older.
Misinformation is being spread that COVID is no more serious than influenza. The death rate currently from COVID is close to 20% higher than for the flu. If you couple this with the surge in illness from seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (aka RSV) ,emergency rooms are flooded as are walk-in clinics.
In some areas of the USA, the anti-COVID antiviral drug Paxlovid is in short supply. We no longer have the option of infusing you with safe and effective monoclonal antibodies because the virus is now resistant to the existing antiviral drug and the Federal government stopped funding the costs of developing new ones.
My suggestions are simple:
- Get your quadrivalent flu shot. Get the high dose product if you are 65 or older.
- Get your bivalent Pfizer or Moderna COVID booster shot if it’s more than two months since your last non-bivalent booster or three months since you had an infection with COVID.
- When indoors with people you do not know, wear an N95 mask. That would include buses, trains, airports, government buildings and other public places.
- If you are 65 or older and are having guests over, ask them to test with an at home quick antigen test before they arrive. If they test negative, they are far safer. If the weather permits, hold the gathering outdoors.
- If you are younger than 65 and are immunosuppressed, take the same precautions as those 65 and older.
When I recently discussed this with my obese, diabetic patient with end stage kidney disease awaiting a transplant, they asked me when will this be over? My answer was simply, “I do not know”.
Masks are not perfect, but they are far superior to not masking. Quick at home tests are not perfect either but they will identify those who are contagious. If you have questions, feel free to call me.
Happy holidays and a joyous and healthy New Year to you all.
Filed under: Baby Boomers, Best Doctor, Board Certified, Boca Raton, Broward County, Concierge Medicine, Concierge Physician, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Elderly, Geriatrics, Internal Medicine, Senior Citizens, South Palm Beach County, Wall Street Journal | Leave a comment »