Pandemic Highlights

I started out writing about the highlights of COVID-19 and with each highlight, the outcome was “people need to get vaccinated.” We have the good fortune in this country of access to the vaccine, and yet we still have large numbers of the population not vaccinated. In the beginning it was understandable that people were concerned about the unknowns of the vaccine, but now there are over 2.5 billion people who are vaccinated world-wide.

For those of us who understand epidemiology, we know the reason for this dilemma has nothing to do with being rational. For example, people think nothing of hopping in and out of their cars, which runs a much higher risk of injury or dying than being vaccinated. People are uninformed about public health and safety. Don’t we benefit from safe drinking water, uncontaminated medications, and food labels? The solution to many of our problems and confusion about the pandemic would be resolved if people got vaccinated. People from other countries, who do not have the access to vaccines like we do in the U.S., think of our citizens as foolish and privileged. If people cared about others, our society and our future, they would get vaccinated.
      
The more we read about the dynamics of the virus, there seems to be conflicting and confusing reports. To help clarify what is going on: It’s not that the science is wrong. But rather, the virus is brand new to homo sapiens and it has caused a large-scale crisis worldwide. As with anything new and on such a massive scale, there is a learning curve. Bottom line, we simply have to remember that we are living through a pandemic. Shouldn’t we be grateful that we are among the living? Worldwide – as of this moment – 3.8 million people have died from COVID-19. We are fortunate to have vaccines that are highly effective and are keeping us safe.
      
As I write this, NYS (mid-June) is lifting most of its COVID restrictions because the “70% vaccination benchmark” has been reached (meaning 70% of NY’s population has had one vaccine). But in contrast we are also “crossing the 600,000 milestone” of deaths from COVID in the U.S., which reminds us that the virus is still spreading and that there are still too many people unvaccinated.
      
Let’s address some of the highlights. With all the issues that crop up about COVID, the solution to the problem is prevention from getting ill, which means getting vaccinated:

1. The bad news is that we have variants. The good news is that the vaccines are highly effective in protecting against these variants, thus far. This gives us another reason to support getting vaccinated (https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953057?src=mkm_covid_update_210614_MSCPEDIT&uac=64796DZ&impID=3441982&faf=1).
2. Large numbers of patients (100,000s) are seeking medical attention (physical and mental) for post-COVID health problems. We just do not know how long or how severe these problems will be. Again, to prevent the continued problems and complications of COVID, all factors point to getting vaccinated (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/15/health/covid-19-patients.html).
3. The Antiviral Program for Pandemics is not just for the coronavirus, but for viruses that could cause future pandemics. Our current vaccines for COVID-19 were more readily developed because scientists were already researching this area years ago.
4. Although we are in the infancy of research, pregnant woman are safely getting vaccinated with no complications such as preterm delivery or other adverse pregnancy outcomes (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html). In contrast, the various risks related to the COVID illness during pregnancy are more severe than the vaccination risks. This includes the fact that the risk of getting a more severe case of the disease during pregnancy is much higher. The fact that pregnant women are being vaccinated demonstrates a high safety level.
5. A federal judge in Texas has dismissed a lawsuit from 117 Houston Methodist Hospital workers who refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine. It was considered a "frivolous lawsuit” and the judge upheld the hospital's policy that the vaccination requirement didn't break any federal law. Methodist is trying to do their business of saving lives without giving them the COVID-19 virus," he wrote. "It is a choice made to keep staff, patients, and their families safer.” (https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953040?src=mkm_covid_update_210614_MSCPEDIT&uac=64796DZ&impID=3441982&faf=1).
6. Some businesses are choosing proof of vaccination in order to operate. This includes numerous healthcare facilities (mandatory for employees), wedding venues, some fitness centers, or places where retreats and workshops are being held. These businesses do not want to run the risk of a COVID outbreak for both safety reasons and economic purposes (it could destroy their reputation if word got out about a COVID outbreak ).
7. Because not everyone is vaccinated, we have the predicament of “Do we wear a mask or not?” If you are vaccinated, the answer is often clearer for some situations, such as not needing a mask at a gathering where everyone is vaccinated. But in public places, where there is a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, it becomes muddy. Overall, it’s a good idea to wear a mask when there is a situation that presents with a higher risk for viral transmission, such as large gatherings in closed spaces with poor ventilation and people who are not vaccinated.

  
It makes sense to wear a mask
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html#event):

• When using public transportation (planes, trains, buses, etc.)
• When using gym and fitness facilities where heavy breathing takes place in tight quarters
• When the business or organization requires the protocol (after all, a restaurant can post “no shoes; no shirt; no service”)
• When a person who is not vaccinated will be around multiple unknown parties of people indoors, and especially if social distancing is a challenge.
• In settings where yelling, chanting or singing takes place
• When a person is immunocompromised or has other health risks
• When a person is currently not feeling well and wants to be careful
• When traveling to unknown areas where there might be outbreaks of COVID-19
• When traveling to areas that are known to be experiencing outbreaks of COVID-19 variants (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html)
  

In my professional opinion, not being vaccinated for COVID-19 (unless contraindicated, of course) is a foolish and selfish decision.

Charlotte Michos is a clinical nurse specialist who values personal-centered care and serves as a Healthcare Consultant in helping others make informed decisions. For more information, email her or call (845) 548-5980.