COVID-19 November 2020 Update: Reduce Exposure to Stop the Spread
Good news and bad news fill the airtime and pages of both national and local press as the virus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes, COVID-19, continues its spread across the world. As cases continue to increase and hospitalizations and deaths mount at a more rapid pace, we must continue to be vigilant about our day to day lives and continue to practice physical distancing, proper wearing of masks and good hand washing. In addition, it is my feeling that reducing exposures to others to the bare minimum is a necessary component to controlling the spread, which in turn will reduce hospitalization, ICU admissions and ultimately death.
Reducing exposures means minimal trips to stores, no or few visits to restaurants and other places where there are crowds in a closed environment, reduction in family gatherings and a general “quarantine” of sorts in which we reduce potential exposures to others. While this may seem draconian in scope, if we as a society want to have a “return to normalcy”, then reduction in transmission must happen first.
Promising Updates About COVID-19 Vaccines
On the good news front, Pfizer’s announcement of a >95% efficacy of its MRNA vaccine, and Moderna’s recent announcement of the success of a similar vaccine was certainly a welcome surprise to both the scientific and lay community. I am hopeful that other vaccines will show similar results, as this is really the only way out of this situation. In addition, multiple studies show that medicine continues to advance in its treatment options and outcomes, as more and more attention to detail about how the virus attacks our bodies and how to effectively treat this condition move in a positive direction.
As far as vaccines go, based on reports, we can expect a Pfizer vaccine for use to be available on a limited basis by the mid to end of December. In addition, at least two other vaccines other than the Pfizer brand will be available also either at the end of December or January. This is my opinion and not based on any “insider” information. There will be no vaccine for children for many months, even years, as the efforts to get a vaccine have solely been performed on adults and those at higher risk. (One manufacturer has started trials in the US on kids, 12 and above). In addition, governments in all 50 states are meeting regularly to get into place the distribution guidelines and policies so that a hierarchy of sorts will determine who gets immunized first. Medical personnel, the elderly, nursing home residents, those with underlying chronic medical conditions, etc. will be first in line. So, a young adult who is not in the medical field will most likely not have access for several months.
This virus has no political, ethnic, religious, or geographical preference. It simply wants to survive and must use humans to do so. Until we are all immune (or >70-90% of us) then this virus will continue to circulate, much like polio, small pox and measles. Those diseases have been defeated by vaccination. This one will be too, as we just have to be patient and bide our time with safety first as noted above.
Please stay safe. Stay at home or if not at home keep your distance from others. Wear a mask (properly). Wash your hands regularly. Encourage others to do the same. Be the example for others.
