I will start with the ending: If the full regulatory licensing process is carried out (even with Operation Warp Speed in place), a COVID vaccine will likely be available for mass distribution later into 2021. But the vaccine will not be a magic bullet that will put an end to wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. These practices will have to continue, and it will take until 2022 before we see some “normalcy” again. Recovery from a world-wide pandemic takes time; here’s why.

If all of us wore masks, we could bring the COVID-19 cases under control within a month or two (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and save the U.S. economy $1 trillion (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2020/06/30/a-national-mask-mandate-could-save-the-us-economy-1-trillion-goldman-sachs-says/#4f3d5f5756f1). At the early onset, people were initially confused about the necessity of masks because we did not know how the infection rate would impact the U.S., and there was also a shortage of supplies. Now there is no excuse. Masks are a necessity for both our public health and our economy. How foolish and naïve that Americans are making masks a political issue! As a healthcare provider, I find the current behavior of Americans, who are mismanaging this pandemic, both disrespectful, dangerous and selfish, especially toward the health field.

When it comes to our health, we all want good medical care. We are bombarded with health information, but how do we decipher it all? We don’t want to ignore the data, nor do we want to drown in its volume. The right amount of information – utilized wisely – can be very comforting, and lead to good healthcare.

Yoga is a practice that we all can do. It starts with the breath – an extended and deeper breath. With a simple focusing of our breath, we can start on a journey that improves our well being. This breathing process helps to take us away from the flight-or-fight mode in which many of us live everyday. Personally, I do not know anyone who currently is not feeling stressed, to some degree. Do you?

Interesting that with this virus (COVID-19), many more now understand what a global community means. We are all connected, and we are all in this together. People are in lockdown throughout the world and more alone than ever; but paradoxically we are all grieving, worrying or suffering in some manner – together.

It’s not that I am a worrywart or a pessimist; I just cannot help anticipating what might come next. That’s the way the minds of nurses and doctors work. Spending years in the health field, a good nurse and doctor will always be planning for the next step or considering the “just-in-case.” You have a care plan for your patients, and you make sure all the next measures are in place.

What is happening to our children’s health? We hear very little about the following three subjects:

1. Homelessness,
   
2. Healthcare sharing ministries, and
   
3. Resignation Syndrome.
   

In the age of social media, parents are sharing personal information about their children with the general public. Sharenting is “the phenomenon of sharing photographs, embarrassing stories and other personal information about one’s children online” (https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1796&context=facultypub). Parents might not realize the consequences of this disclosure. Let’s take a closer look at what happens when that disclosure is their children’s personal health information.

Getting together with friends is fun, but did you also know it has health benefits? The holidays are coming up and instead of getting consumed with the hustle-bustle, take time just to enjoy feasting and socializing with others. “Gathering is good for our body and our spirit” (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/18/smarter-living/holiday-meals-family-tips.html). Even though it may seem obvious, researchers have concluded that social connection is good for our health; so turn around your thought process this holiday season and instead of feeling like there are too many bad habits related to the holidays, eat, drink, and be merry!