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View more from Perkins Coie PodcastIf you have not received your Flu shot this season now is the time to schedule yours.
Vaccines provide a general boost to your whole immune system. New research shows that a flu vaccination can dramatically lower your risk of having a severe case of Covid-19. A recent large study* showed that being vaccinated against the flu cut the risk of having Covid-19 ER visits, strokes and sepsis (a life-threatening infection) by about 50%. Having a Flu shot also lowered the risk of needing intensive care for Covid-19 by 20 %.
The world had a very mild Flu season last year due to masks, cleaning and physical distancing which are well known to prevent the spread of flu. Expert opinions vary on how severe this season’s flu will be, but according to the CDC in the 2019/2020 Flu season the US had 35 million cases of the Flu and nearly 400 thousand flu-related hospitalizations. In early November 2021, the US is starting to see a rise in Flu cases.
Flu vaccination is for everyone over the age of 6 months. Our recommendation: get your flu shot now; you can have it at the same time as any Covid vaccination or booster. With the current stress on doctors’ offices, hospitals and healthcare facilities we need to avoid large twin outbreaks of both Covid-19 and the Flu. Do your part to help avoid a “twindemic” of Covid-19 and Flu. Protect yourself and others.
* journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0255541
An Israeli Company, Enlivex, has developed a medication, EXO-CD24, that looks very promising for successfully treating seriously ill Covid-19 patients. In a small clinical trial of 30 severely ill Covid-19 patients, all patients survived without side effects, and 29 of the 30 patients recovered within 3-5 days. EXO-CD24 was given by inhalation over 2-3 minutes, once a day for 5 days. This medicine uses the body’s naturally occurring bio-chemical signals to instruct the immune system to restore its balance.
A healthy immune system has an extensive series of checks and balances controlled by many biochemical signaling compounds. These compounds turn up the immune response when it is needed and act as brakes to prevent the immune system from overreacting.
The two basic components of the immune system work together to optimize the body’s response to a foreign body such as a virus; the first component signals the immune system to attack the foreign body during the early phase of the infection, then signals the second component, to wake up and provide a longer-lasting response.
Covid-19 patients with mild illness, mount a strong early immune response, fight off Covid-19 successfully and keep the immune system in check as the second, more durable immune response system revs up.
Seriously ill Covid-19 patients have a weak early response that allows the virus to multiply and reach higher levels in the body. This weak early immune response also causes faulty signaling to the secondary response immune engine, sending it into overdrive when the immune system finally begins to respond. This over-reaction response of the immune system, in COVID-19 is known as the “cytokine storm.” The “cytokine storm” causes major tissue destruction, typically in the lungs, resulting in the critical breathing problems that cause patients to require mechanical ventilation and often death.
Allocetra contains an important signaling molecule, CD24, that puts the brakes on the “cytokine storm.” Hopefully, the remarkable success of these early trials will be replicated in larger trials that are expected to begin shortly. Interestingly, this medication also has the potential to help in many common medical conditions where the immune system is overactive including auto-immune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes and severe infections.
Mutations and variants are important because they can make our vaccines less effective by altering the structure of the Covid-19 virus. Mutations occur in nature to help life forms adapt and survive in changed circumstances. Some Covid-19 mutations make the virus weaker and these virus variants die off. Other mutations make the virus stronger by helping it to spread more easily. Mutations can change the structure of the Covid-19 virus making vaccines less effective.
The genetic code is like a string of beads. (See illustration Fig. A). The human genetic code is built from DNA “beads”. The Covid-19 virus genetic code is built from RNA “beads”. The genetic code carries the instructions for the reproduction of all living beings. It determines the color of our eyes, how tall we are, and even whether we are a human or a virus. A mutation is a mistake in the genetic code as it is being copied over and over, as part of the reproductive process. A mutation occurs when the wrong “bead” is inserted into the code (Fig.D). Changing the bead, alters the genetic code and changes the instructions, potentially resulting in a different structure and/or function (compare Fig. B to Fig. E). A variant is the altered life form, that results from a collection of mutations.
The Covid-19 outbreak in Manaus, Brazil taught us about the power and danger of new variants. In a severe and early outbreak, more than 75% of the people in Manaus were infected with the original Covid-19, first diagnosed in China. Infection with Covid-19 generates protective antibodies in the infected person. Antibodies work by binding onto the virus, which blocks the virus from attaching to and entering our cells. This prevents the virus from causing an infection. (Fig. C). Because the majority of the people in Manaus had protective antibodies, it was assumed that the population would not be susceptible to further outbreaks. However, a Brazilian variant emerged and caused another devastating surge of Covid-19 illness.
The Brazilian variant had mutations that changed the structure of the virus. As a result, the antibodies from the original Covid-19 infections could not bind onto the new Brazilian variant and did not protect the people of Manaus from further infection (Fig. F).
Similarly, vaccines protect us by stimulating our immune system to generate protective antibodies. Just as the infection-stimulated antibodies did not protect the people of Manaus from the Brazilian variant, current vaccine-stimulated antibodies may not protect us from future Covid-19 variants. A striking example of vaccine failure was experienced in South Africa. The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine was reported to be 70% effective against the UK variant. The South African government purchased one million doses of the vaccine for their population. However, a South African variant emerged that was only 10% sensitive to the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.
The number of COVID-19 variants is directly related to the number of infections in the global population. The more infections, the more likely mutations and variants will emerge. The only way to stop this process is to achieve global vaccination with effective vaccines. For more information on vaccine effectiveness in the U.S., please read our vaccine assessments at https://www.emergencyuniversity.com/campaigns/covid-qa.
Johnson and Johnson’s (J&J) Covid-19 vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S, manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals is currently administered as a single dose vaccine. The vaccine uses an adenovirus (a common cold virus) that has been modified in 2 ways. First, it has been modified so that it cannot reproduce itself or cause a cold. Second, it carries the instructions to make the Coronavirus-19 spike protein in the form of a stable DNA molecule. Once the vaccine enters the recipient’s cell, the cell uses the DNA to make copies of COVID-19’s spike protein. These copies of the spike protein activate the body’s immune system to create “warriors” ready to fight the COVID-19 virus if it enters the body.
Is the J&J vaccine effective?
In J&J’s Phase 3 Clinical Research Trial, J&J submitted to the FDA that their COVID-19 vaccine was effective at preventing severe illness (85%) and COVID deaths (100%). When moderate and severe disease are combined it is moderately effective (66%) at preventing illness caused by the original COVID strains. The vaccine begins to provide protection 14 days after administration of the single dose, and its efficacy continues to rise over the next 3 months. By 4 weeks post vaccination, the J&J vaccine appears very effective at preventing COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths, but is not as potent at preventing Covid-19 illness as Moderna and Pfizer vaccines (90+%).
Is the J&J vaccine effective against COVID-19 variants?
Covid-19 variants have continued to spread globally, including into the U.S. As the number of Covid-19 infections increase, the number of Covid-19 mutations also increase. The J&J single dose vaccine appears to be effective against the UK variant (B.1.1.7), which is currently the predominant strain in the U.S. and Europe as of May 2021. However, the J&J vaccine is less effective (52%) against newer, emerging mutations such as the South African Variant (B.1.351). This is of concern, because the South African variant has the exact same mutation now appearing in other emerging variants.
What are the side effects of the J&J vaccine?
Common side effects are similar to those experienced with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine; pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and headache. These side effects are generally mild and resolve within 2 days. A rare side effect, occurring at a rate of 2 events/million doses is the formation of clots in large blood vessels, including the brain. The large clots are accompanied by a dangerous drop in the cells that prevent clotting in the blood. This rare event occurs mostly in women 18-49 years old. If you experience severe headache, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, or new and easy bruising, within 3-4 weeks of vaccination with J&J, contact your physician immediately. The CDC has added a warning to its FDA approval regarding the devastating but rare risk of blood clots.
Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine, mRNA-1273, appears to be safe and effective. Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated that the vaccine was 94% effective at preventing Covid-19 illness. Studies conducted during real-life vaccination programs demonstrate a similar efficacy at preventing Covid-19 illness. The Moderna vaccine also prevents severe illness requiring hospitalization and Covid-19 deaths. There are fewer large studies on the Moderna vaccine than on the Pfizer vaccine due primarily to funding. However, both Pfizer and Moderna are based on mRNA technology, are the first human FDA approved mRNA vaccines and have very similar content.
An interim report from an ongoing study published in the New England Journal of Medicine established that protective antibodies levels from the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine remain high in all age groups through at least 6 months (See Figure-1). There was a small but statistically significant reduction in antibody levels seen in patients over 70 years old.
Is the Moderna vaccine effective against Covid-19 variants?
Covid-19 variants continue to emerge. The longer the pandemic continues, the greater the probability that variants will develop that may be resistant to current vaccines. Several studies show that mRNA vaccines offer protection against current variants, but at a lower level when compared to the original Covid-19 strain. The advantage of mRNA technology, used to develop the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines, is that it offers the ability to rapidly modify vaccines to protect against new variants. Moderna already has a vaccine specific for the UK variant B1.1.1.7 in testing.
Is the Moderna vaccine safe?
The Moderna vaccine is safe. Severe allergic reactions were extremely rare in individuals who received the Moderna Vaccine. Only 10 cases of severe allergic reactions occurred after administration of 4 million doses, 0.00025 %. This rate compares favorably to the Pfizer vaccine’s slightly higher rater of 0.0011%. As with Pfizer, vaccinated individuals are reporting some chills, fevers, muscle and joint aches and fatigue. These side effects are more commonly reported after receiving the second dose, are more common in woman and typically resolve within 1 to 3 days.
A large well controlled study of 1.2 million people published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) reported that the Pfizer vaccine is 94% effective at preventing illness from Covid-19. The vaccine was similarly effective at reducing hospital and intensive care unit admissions and preventing deaths. This compares to the annual influenza vaccine which is approximately 50% effective.
Is Pfizer’s vaccine effective against Covid-19 variants?
There are multiple Covid-19 variants circulating around the globe. The Pfizer vaccine appears to be effective against the UK variant, B.1.1.7, based on the 1.2 million person study which was conducted in Israel during the time the UK variant was spreading rapidly there. A small study, conducted in the US and Germany on infected patient’s serum, published in the NEJM, showed potential protection against the South African variant, B1.351 and the Brazilian variant, P1, as well. The virus continues to mutate and widespread vaccination is an important part of reducing the number of mutations we will be exposed to.
Is the Pfizer vaccine safe?
There was initial concern about serious allergic reactions. The CDC has issued a report based on 4.5 million vaccine doses administered in the US. The CDC concluded that vaccine allergic reactions do occur, however the rate is similar to that seen with influenza and other vaccines. Most reactions occur in individuals with a history of vaccine allergic reactions and the majority of serious reactions happen within the first 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered.
The Pfizer vaccine is effective with tolerable side effect levels and does appear to provide protection against the UK and other variants. It is heartening to see some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.
Yes, please continue to wear your mask for several reasons.
No vaccine offers 100% protection. Manufacturers are reporting a range of effectiveness for their vaccine products. This information is obtained from carefully controlled research trials. Most vaccines are less effective in real-life than in research trials, due to factors including how the vaccine is stored, the vaccine dose, and individual variables such as age, health and genetics. Even when a vaccine is highly effective (95%), this still means that 1 out of 20 of us will not be protected.
Once you’ve had your vaccine it takes a while to build up immunity. Most reports show that protection is not achieved until several weeks after completing full vaccination. We have not yet determined if vaccinated individuals who achieve individual protection from Covid-19 illness can still carry the virus in their system, as we have seen in other vaccines and infections.
New strains of Covid-19 continue to emerge. Researchers are studying how effective the current vaccines are against the new strains. For Covid -19 strains with minor mutations, the current vaccines appear to offer good protection. Unfortunately, some Covid-19 mutations such as the rapidly spreading South African strain are very different. Therefore, even individuals who have recovered from Covid-19 or have been vaccinated may still become ill with these new variants.
Protect yourself, protect others, wear your mask, maintain social distance and keep washing your hands. These critical actions help to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Simply put, yes.
Flu shots are especially important this year for many reasons, including emerging evidence that a flu shot may help to protect you against COVID-19. Scientists have known for a while that receiving certain vaccines helps to wake up the immune system, so that it is better able to fight off many different infections. One large study in Brazil showed that a recent flu shot meant you were 8% less likely to end up in an intensive care unit with COVID-19, and 17% less likely to die of COVID-19. Others studies also show lower rates of COVID-19 in Flu-vaccinated groups. Experts believe that children have milder COVID-19 in part, due to the many vaccines they receive.
Due to a property with the wonderful name of Antigenic Original Sin, your immune system remembers similar prior exposures and provides cross protection, so getting your Flu shot also helps to protect you against other strains of the Flu.
We also want to save our healthcare resources for people being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of Flu and COVID-19 are so similar, that your doctor will need to test to tell them apart. In the United States last year (2019-2020 flu season) 38 million people had the flu, 18 million visited healthcare providers for Flu sick visits, 400,000 were hospitalized and 22,000 died. Getting your flu vaccine will help to ease this burden.
Everyone age 6 months and older, that does not have a contraindication (a specific reason to avoid Flu vaccine) should be vaccinated. If you are over 65, the high dose Flu vaccine is preferred, but the regular dose is an acceptable option and much better than no vaccine. Flu is caused by the influenza virus, which is a rapidly mutating (changing) virus. Because the flu virus is always changing, you need a new vaccine dose, each year. We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated, it will help you, your family and public health.
Experts are seeing skyrocketing rates of mental health issues both in the general population and in survivors of Covid-19. We are all being affected by the anxiety and stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic and this is driving a new pandemic of mental health problems. Concerns for illness, grief, job loss and financial insecurity are taking a toll.
How Serious is the problem?
A recently published CDC study revealed that 41% of U.S. residents surveyed, reported experiencing mental health effects as a result of the pandemic. A full 31% reported anxiety or depression, 26% reported trauma/stressor related issues from the pandemic and 13% have started or increased their use of alcohol and other drugs.
10% of those surveyed reported suicidal thoughts within the last 30 days. More than 40 states in the U.S. report significant increases in opioid deaths with some reporting opioid deaths that have more than doubled in the last year. While opioid prescriptions are down, due to increased awareness of physicians, opioid mortality is now often linked to the increased use of fentanyl- a very potent opioid- laced into street drugs.
After a summer of nationwide violence and protests, and an additional 3 months of pandemic related stress, these numbers likely underestimate the severity of the problem.
Covid-19 Survivors and Mental Health
There is also growing evidence of mental health issues specific to Covid-19 survivors. Early study results are concerning. One study looked at survivors, 1 month after hospital discharge. The study found that 56% of survivors suffered from serious mental health issues including depression, anxiety and insomnia. 28% of Covid-19 survivors exhibited symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
If you would like to explore your sense of well-being, we encourage to take our free Mental Health Awareness Program at https://www.emergencyuniversity.com/training/mental-health.
If you or someone you know is suffering from significant mental health issues, encourage them to reach out to their doctor and mental health care providers for support.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Available 24 hours. English, Spanish support
1-800-273-8255
SAMHSA’S National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP(4357)
a free, confidential, 24/7/365 treatment and information service for individuals
and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Flavonoids are a diverse group containing thousands of compounds that naturally occur in plants. There has been a lot of interest in these compounds in the last few years because of their known health benefits. Examples are Curcumin (turmeric), Resveratrol (red wine and grapes) and Quercetin (red, blue and purple food like berries, and also kale). Flavonoids are known to have roles in fighting off viruses, keeping blood vessels healthy (a Covid-19 target), and in keeping the immune system healthy. Flavonoids also help Zinc do its work. The US National Institutes of Health is actively studying flavonoids for use in preventing and treating Covid-19.
Food Sources of Flavonoids are obtained from eating a colorful diet
Should you take a flavonoid supplement?
To absorb flavonoids, you need a healthy gut. The good news is that all high flavonoid foods help you achieve a healthy gut. Also, most plant foods have multiple types of flavonoids in them, so there is synergy. Flavonoids appear to be safe to consume, so taking a supplement is a reasonable choice to make. Look for a respected brand that contains a variety of flavonoids. The scientific studies on Covid usually include Quercetin in their flavonoid mix.
Selenium has multiple roles in the immune system, one of which is to block viruses from entering cells, a critical step in virus infections. Studies published in the 1990s revealed that individuals with selenium deficiency were more likely to be critically ill when infected with RNA viruses such as COVID-19.
A recent study from China determined that individuals who became infected with COVID-19 in Selenium deficient areas of China had significantly higher Covid-19 death rates than individuals in areas of China with normal Selenium levels.
Selenium status is one of several risk factors that may impact on the outcome of COVID-19 infection, particularly in populations where Selenium intake is sub-optimal or low, such as areas in China and Europe.
Selenium also plays a role in protecting the heart and other organs from damage during infections.
Should you take a selenium supplement?
Only a small amount of Selenium is required for proper functioning of the immune system. The majority of individuals in the US ingest sufficient Selenium in their diet. Food sources include pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish, and eggs as well as some beans and nuts, especially Brazilian nuts, contain Selenium.
Kidney dialysis patients, individuals with severe gastrointestinal conditions, those living with HIV infection or who have had bariatric (weight loss) surgery tend to have low levels of Selenium. Selenium supplements may be beneficial for these individuals.
Because high levels can cause toxicity, the majority of healthy adults do not need to take a Selenium supplement. We recommend you discuss taking a Selenium supplement with your physician, to determine if it will benefit you, and the recommended dosage.
We have long known that Zinc has important roles in fighting infections. Zinc possesses a variety of antiviral properties both alone and potentially in conjunction with anti-viral medication. Zinc is particularly important in COVID-19. Studies conducted in live cell cultures demonstrated that Zinc blocks the Covid-19 virus from reproducing. Zinc also acts to maintain a tight healthy barrier in the linings of our nose, sinus and lungs. Several recently published studies suggest that Zinc supplementation may be of benefit for prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Zinc deficiency results in a compromised immune system. Zinc deficiency increases your risk for contracting viral infections. U.S. Government studies reveal that up to 25% of adults over age 60 are Zinc deficient. Many common diseases like diabetes and gastrointestinal disease, and conditions including pregnant and breast-feeding woman, can result in low Zinc levels.
Since milk, red meat and poultry are excellent sources of Zinc, individuals eating vegan and vegetarian diets need higher Zinc intake. Lastly, many common medicines, including some blood pressure medicines, block zinc absorption.
Should you take a Zinc supplement?
Always start by eating a healthy varied diet. In addition to milk, red meat and poultry, whole grain products, baked beans, chickpeas, cashews and almonds are excellent sources of zinc. Zinc can interfere with common prescription medications, and excessive Zinc can cause problems. It is recommended that you discuss taking Zinc supplements with your physician to ensure it is safe for you, and to understand what dose is right for you. Because Zinc can interfere with many common nutrients and medicines, be sure to take it 2 hours before meals or medications.
Vaccines are intended to sensitize your body’s immune system to prepare for an unwanted invader. In the United States, the two vaccines that have entered Phase 3 clinical testing are both mRNA vaccines. Both Moderna and Pfizer initiated Phase 3 clinical trials in July, with a goal of testing the vaccine on 30,000 diverse volunteers who reflect the broad spectrum of the U.S. population. Their goal is to conclude the study by the end of October 2022, and report on the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. Both companies have recruited over one half the necessary volunteers for testing as of the end of August 2020. mRNA vaccines are atypical vaccines that scientists have been working on in various forms for over a decade.
Antigens (Ags)—the “invaders”-- are substances that are foreign to your body, such as bacteria and viruses, that stimulate your immune system’s white blood cells to generate proteins called antibodies (Abs). These antibodies bind to the foreign antigens, and interfere with their ability to survive or replicate.
Traditional vaccines work by administering an antigen which has been killed or neutralized into your system. The body “sees” this inactive antigen and is “fooled” into building up an army of antibodies, so that when you are later exposed to the live antigen, your body has a ready army, which attacks the antigen/microbe and prevents infection.
mRNA vaccines work very differently. RNA is the genetic code for an antigen. The “m” stands for messenger. The mRNA vaccine is injected into the individual. The mRNA attaches to and enters the body’s own cells, where it replicates and releases thousands of copies of the antigen. Covid-19 mRNA vaccines contain key portions of the Covid-19 virus genetic code, such as a critical portion of the “spike” protein. Theoretically, these antigens will stimulate the body’s immune system to generate a large and strong army of antibodies against Covid-19.
Will mRNA vaccines work and why are we trying this new technology?
Scientist have been working on developing mRNA vaccines for many years, but as of yet, none have been successful. The advantage of mRNA vaccines is that they are faster to develop and easier to mass produce than traditional vaccines. It is also theorized that mRNA may stimulate a much stronger and more complete immune system response.
The problem is that mRNA tends to be unstable. It is a messenger molecule. Its usual job is to deliver a message and then rapidly fade away. Because of this, it is hard to keep the vaccine in a stable form for transport.
Researchers are also concerned how long it will be stable and effective inside the body. Early studies on mRNA vaccines for Covid-19 are promising but not yet proven. Still to be determined are the significance of the side effects, and what populations they will be effective for.
Vitamin D plays critical roles in fighting off viruses by helping your body make specific infection fighting compounds. A recent study in Europe demonstrated a higher COVID-19 mortality in countries where citizens have a higher prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin because our main source is sunlight. When the sun shines on our skins, our bodies turn it into Vitamin D. So be certain to spend time outdoors.
Fish, of all varieties are also an excellent source of Vitamin D. A high fish diet could explain why countries such as Finland, Denmark and Norway, have a very low incidence of Vit. D deficiency, despite long periods without significant sunshine.
Approximately 8 % of individuals in the U.S. are Vitamin D deficient. However, this does not tell the whole story. Individuals with darker skin pigmentation have higher rates of Vitamin D deficiency. Deficiencies as high as 30% have been documented in Black Americans and 13% in Hispanic Americans. It may be noteworthy that individuals with darker skin pigmentation also make up a disproportionate share of COVID-19 deaths. Of course, any correlation with Vit D deficiency is confounded by many other variables, such as socio-economic status, and pre-existing underlying medical conditions.
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in the elderly, individuals who have limited time outdoors, have darker skin pigmentation, are overweight, or have severe kidney or GI disease. Vit D. supplements may be very beneficial to support the immune system in these circumstances. The recommended amount for healthy adults is 800 IU/D. If you have any of the conditions described above, you may need more.
In order to effectively absorb Vitamin D supplements, they must be taken with a meal that includes fats or oils. Unlike Vitamin C, the body cannot easily rid itself of excess Vitamin D, and therefore excessive Vitamin D supplements can be toxic. Speak with your physician to determine if you should be tested for Vitamin D deficiency, and whether Vitamin D supplements would benefit you.
YES! You can pro-actively boost your immune system. Ensuring you consume critical nutrients and engaging in healthy behaviors can reduce your risk for many medical conditions. These actions can also potentially reduce the severity of your illness, and help you heal faster if you do get sick. As of August 2020, we have early studies specific to boosting your immune system for Covid-19, and many years of studies on flu and other virus infections that demonstrate that your lifestyle choices can, indeed, make a difference.
The Immune System is a complex, sophisticated system composed of organs as well as numerous types of attack and scavenger cells that circulate in your blood stream, these are stimulated when your body detects a foreign organism. It also includes defensive chemical compounds and proteins such as antibodies that are created and released in your body. The immune system acts to defend us against attacks from undesirable invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and even cancer cells. You can think of the immune system as an army of warriors protecting us from enemies including infections like Covid-19.
The immune system and Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for optimal functioning of the immune system. Vitamin C is a potent anti-oxidant, which means it neutralizes toxic free radicals. It is theorized that much of the damage caused by COVID-19 is caused by the body’s inability to defend itself against the overwhelming numbers of free radicals.
Vitamin C deficiency results in impaired immunity and greater vulnerability to infections.
In turn, infections themselves, significantly reduce the body’s vitamin C levels, due to the body’s continuous utilization of Vitamin C in fighting the infection. Some physicians suggest ingesting more Vitamin C if you are fighting an infection. Several peer review studies suggest higher doses of Vitamin C are more effective in reducing severity and duration of illness caused by bacteria or viruses.
Vitamin C is not made within your body, so it must be consumed, most effectively by including Vitamin C rich foods in your diet. Food sources include papaya, bell peppers and citrus fruits, like limes, lemons and oranges. However, for most of us, the body easily clears out unneeded Vitamin C, so it is generally safe to take a Vitamin C supplement. Prior to initiating supplements, it is important to discuss your plan with your physician, to ensure it does not interfere with any medical condition or medications you may be taking.
There are currently over 100 Covid-19 vaccines in development globally. Eight of these vaccines are now in the all-important Phase 3 clinical testing trials.
What process does the FDA require to ensure that vaccines are safe for use in people?
Traditionally, vaccine developers first test the viability and effectiveness of the proposed vaccine in laboratories, petri dishes and test tubes. If the vaccine appears to be effective, developers initiate testing on various animal models to assess efficacy and understand side effects and potential toxicities. These initial stages usually take many months to many years. Only if a vaccine appears effective and safe in animals, do human trials begin.
In order to speed the availability of an effective vaccine to address the COVID-19 pandemic, World Health and Research Organizations have reduced the requirements to move from the laboratory stage, to animal studies, and into human clinical trials. In many cases, vaccine developers have been permitted to initiate human trials prior to realizing final results from their animal trials.
Human clinical trials undergo three phases.
In Phase 1, the vaccine is administered to small groups of people, usually 20-50 volunteers. During phase 1, dosages are assessed to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity. Toxicity, side effects and effectiveness are all assessed.
If the vaccine produces safe and promising Phase 1 trial results, Phase 2 is initiated by testing the vaccine on several hundred people. Developers focus on people that represent the population most likely to receive the vaccine. For Covid-19, this requires testing on a wide range of ages, both men and woman, with varying health issues, and from a variety of genetic backgrounds.
During Phase 3, the vaccine is tested for efficacy and safety on thousands of people. Does the vaccine induce the desired immune response? Is the immune response effective in preventing the disease and/or reducing the severity of the disease? How long does the immunity last?
What’s happening with Covid-19 vaccines in the US?
Two vaccines currently under development in the US have begun Phase 3 clinical trials as of July 27, 2020.
The US Government has created Operation Warp Speed and invested/pledged billions of dollars in funding to speed development of a Covid-19 Vaccine. To further speed the availability of the vaccine for human use, the government/FDA have approved concurrent vaccine manufacturing during Phase 3 clinical trials. If the Phase 3 clinical trials are successful, vaccine doses will be ready immediately to administer to the public.
However, this is another departure from traditional pharmaceutical and vaccine development. Normally, pharmaceutical developers are required to complete their Phase 3 clinical trials, provide the FDA with conclusive evidence that the pharmaceutical is both safe and effective in order to receive FDA approval. Only then does manufacturing begin.
The normal timeline for vaccine development is 5-20 years. Scientists, pharmaceutical developers and government agencies seeking to provide a COVID-19 vaccine within 1-2 years have dramatically changed the development landscape. Yet to be seen, is whether a safe and effective vaccine can really be developed with this accelerated timeline, even with streamlined testing requirements. In the next segment, we will review some of the most promising vaccines, available clinical results, and projected timelines.
There are approximately 83 million children and teenagers ages 0-19 who comprise student populations in the U.S. through primary and secondary schools. 13 COVID-19 deaths were reported in the 0-9 year-old age group between Jan 22nd and May 30th, 2020 according to the CDC. 33 COVID-19 deaths were reported in the 10-19 year-old age group during the same period. 1.5% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S. occur in the 0-9 year old age group, and 3% of U.S. COVID-19 cases occur in the 10-19 year old age group The case fatality rate, (the number of deaths/number of cases of COVID-19) is .06% and .07% respectively.
By comparison, CDC reported 4,076 fatal injuries in the 0-9 year old age group, and 9,359 deaths in the 10-19 year old age group in 2018. Students in the 0-9 year old age group are 309 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries, than expire due to COVID-19 illness. 10-19 year old’s are 283 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries, than expire from COVID-19 infection.
In the 0-9 year old age group - 76% of fatalities were caused by unintentional injuries and 18.2% from homicide. In the 10-19 year old age group, 45 % of fatalities were a result of unintentional injuries, 32% from suicides, and 20.5% as a result of homicides. Leading cases of unintentional fatalities include motor vehicle crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fire and falls.
When we look at the age groups of people contracting the virus compared to deaths, there is a significant difference in the groups contracting the virus verses those dying from the virus.
Younger groups (18-44 and 45-64) account for the majority of infections, however, the virus is far more deadly in the older age groups (70+). If we can slow down the infection rates in the 18-64 group, we will inturn reduce the chances of the virus finding a way into groups who have a greater risk of dying from the virus.
The best way we can slow the spread of this deadly virus is to practice rigorous social distancing, constant handwashing and wearing some type of face covering when out in public places. Until we have a vaccine or herd immunity these, combined with increased testing, are simply the most effective tools we have in slowing the spread.
Absolutely! At least in public. Particularly in spaces that are confined, such as stores, meeting rooms, or bathrooms. Masks should be worn while riding in any mass or multi-person transportation vehicle such as buses, trains, planes, taxis, and Ubers. It is also advisable to wear a mask in an auto if there are one or more non-family members in the car. In fact, many recommend that public transportation and taxis not allow more than one person to sit in a row to maintain proper social distancing.
However, masks are not necessary in your own home, or in your personal car or truck, when you are alone or with family members. Masks are not required at your workstation, provided your workstation is a minimum of 6 feet or 2 meters from the nearest occupied workstation. The coronavirus is still alive and hotspots of transmission and illness are still occurring in the US and around the globe. Until we have a vaccine, effective preventative or early treatment, or strong evidence that person to person transmission is no longer occurring, the most effective tools in our arsenal will continue to be wearing a mask, frequent handwashing with soap and social distancing.
Lots of commercial and non-profit organizations are now making masks of all fabrics, shapes, and designs. The most effective masks are those that are comfortable to wear, and easy to breathe in while wearing. Masks that are not comfortable or are difficult to breathe while they are on, will not be worn. Try various masks on. Masks with nose clips and air pockets in front of the nose are most likely to allow for easy breathing. Masks that allow the mask material to be sucked into your nostrils, can be very attractive , but are very difficult to tolerate for long periods of time. Try to wear the mask for 10-15 continuous minutes. If you cannot tolerate it for that duration, you will not wear it. Everyone’s face and nose are different. What is comfortable for one person, may not be for another, so go out and try on some masks, choose the one that’s right for you. Happy Masking!
According to official guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) there is no information or evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted through mosquito bites.
Coronavirus is a respiratory virus, and the main mode of transmission are viral droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. For a mosquito to become infected with a virus, it must be present in the blood the mosquito feeds on. COVID 19 is a respiratory virus that mostly remains within the lungs and respiratory tract of infected people, and rarely gets into the blood. Additionally, for a mosquito to transmit the virus, the virus must be able to first replicate inside the mosquito before transmitting it to a person. Neither the new coronavirus nor any other type of coronavirus has been shown to do that.
Between 2013-2014 and 2018-2019, the CDC reported yearly estimated influenza deaths ranging from 23,000 to 61,000/year. As of May 1, 2020, 1/3 of a year, there were 65,753 deaths from Coronavirus SARVo2 (COVID-19).
But are these numbers truly comparable. The number of COVID-19 cases in the US on May 1, 2020 was reported by Johns Hopkins University as 1,131,030 and the number of deaths was 65,753. The numbers reported by the Johns Hopkins University are the actual counts of patients who are reported as having tested positive for COVID-19 and the number of deaths based on the patient’s death certificates.
The CDC does not present influenza data as actual counts of patients, but as annual calculated estimates, based on an algorithm that assumes many cases and deaths due to influenza are not reported. When the same methodology of counting actual reported cases and deaths is applied to influenza, the number of deaths/year range from 3448 to 15,620.
During the week ending April 21, 2020, 15,455 COVID-19 deaths were reported in the U.S. and 14, 478 COVID-19 deaths were reported during the previous week. The CDC has reported actual deaths, during the “peak week” of influenza seasons between 351- 1626 deaths/week. The average number of influenza deaths during the peak of influenza season was approximately 752. The average number of COVID-19 deaths during its current peak is 14,966. These numbers suggest that on average, COVID is up to 20 times more deadly than influenza.
Usually viruses survive on porous surfaces, such as hair for lesser durations than that of smooth surfaces, such as steel or glass. Our hair, including beards, is covered in natural oils that cover the strand as a protectant. These oils do contain some antimicrobial properties that can limit how well organisms bind to hair. However, we cannot rely on natural oil production alone as it varies for each person and hair type.
However, we cannot rely on natural oil production alone as it varies for each person and hair type. COVID 19 infects us through the mucosa (nose, mouth etc.), therefore the risk is low that the virus would be contracted from the hair. However, if you are concerned, I recommend washing your hair daily. Using Shampoo will kill and remove both bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19. As the risk is very low, compared to hands, there is no reason to feel you now need to wash your hair multiple time as day.
The exception to this is someone who has a beard and is also positive for COVID-19. If this person coughs or sneezes, the beard will most likely trap some of the large, virus laden droplets. If this person were to then have physical contact with someone else, such as by kissing, then there is a much higher chance of transmission.
No, if you are traveling alone in your vehicle with the windows up, there is little chance of catching COVID19 from someone passing by. The use of car’s HEPPA filters is designed more to capture pollens and dust, so they are not manufactured, nor tested to see if they are able to capture pathogens (germs). Even if your HEPPA filter is not rated to trap viruses, some filtration is always better than no filtration.
I would wear a mask inside of the car under the following circumstances (not an exhaustive list):
When an individual infected with corona virus coughs or sneezes, small drops of virus filled liquid are sprayed out. If you are standing within 6 feet, these droplets may enter your nose or mouth. Research from MIT recently discovered that a sneeze could theoretically travel up to 200 feet! So why six feet? Different sized droplets are sprayed from coughing or sneezing. The larger the droplet, the more virus particles they contain. Since larger particles are heavier, they tend to fall to the ground faster and the majority of the time they fall within 6 feet.
In addition, research suggests that the corona virus may be aerosolized through simply talking or exhaling. It is not yet understood the real-world impact of this finding. Even if no one is actively coughing or sneezing, if you are standing within 3.5 feet (WHO) of a person, you may be in their breathing zone and inhaling potentially infectious particles. This is the reasoning behind the 6-foot rule. If someone is actively coughing or sneezing, the further you are away from them the better, as smaller droplets may remain airborne for at least an hour.
A study published in the medical journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) in April showed that healthcare workers assigned to ICU wards did have detectable coronavirus on their shoes. Unless you are working In a healthcare facility where corona patients are being cared for, it is very unlikely that the average person is at risk of coming into contact with the virus through shoes.
The CDC has said that even if a small amount of the virus does get on your shoes, it is not thought to be the main way the virus is spread. In addition to the CDC, Dr. Amesh Adalja, who is an infectious disease specialist at John Hopkins said that “while it is biologically possible to that the coronavirus can be transmitted via all sorts of objects, including shoes and fabrics, this is likely not a major mechanism of infection”. “This is not a major risk I would worry about”, Adalja said.
If you are concerned about tracking in the virus on your shoes, consider picking one pair to wear when you are out and about and remove them before entering your home. Cleaning of your shoes by hand is not recommended as you risk contaminating your hands in the cleaning process.
Freezing fresh produce or other food in attempts to kill viral matter is not effective. Consider the fact that freezing is how they preserve viruses in the lab. The same holds true for the refrigerator.
If you are concerned about the virus, I would recommend wiping down the plastic with a soapy cloth. The soap will kill any of the virus, making the packaging safe to place in freezer or fridge. It is also worth noting, the virus lives on plastic on average between 48-72 hours, so if the packaging sits for longer than this, the chance of infection is greatly reduced.
For vegetables and fruit, as of today, the FDA does not have any evidence of anyone becoming sick from the virus being transmitted from produce. However, it is advisable that all produce be properly scrubbed under running water. It is not recommended that soap be used on produce, but the brush used for scrubbing should be washed with soap after it has been used.
Under current testing, we are conducting approximately 5,193 tests per 1 million of the population. When compared to other states, such as New York (18,613 per 1 million) or Louisiana (17,456 per 1 million), California is pretty far behind, and it is doubtful we will catchup. However, there is a test in development that addresses your question about antibody testing, and the intent is to roll this test out on a mass scale.
The test you currently see being used is a swab test, known as RT-PCR testing and only tests to see if the person currently has COVID19. The test does not indicate if the person has antibodies, which would mean they were already exposed to the virus and may no longer be susceptible.
The new test under development, called an Antibody or ELISA test, will tell us who has COVID19 antibodies. Once fully implemented, the test will allow those who test positive for antibodies to resume normal activities, while keeping those who test negative at home.
Researchers at Stanford and other institutions have already made significant progress in this endeavor and are currently in the trial phase of testing. Unfortunately, there isn’t a timeline yet on when it will be approved for mass use, but many are optimistic we may see them within the next 2-3 months.
The current COVID-19 swab test does NOT tell us if an individual has previously been infected, and is now immune.
When the body is exposed to a foreign agent, such as the coronavirus, it mounts an internal defense. The body’s immune system produces infection-fighting proteins called antibodies, that remain in the individual’s blood long after the infection has passed. In order to determine if an individual has previously been infected with the virus, a blood test that looks for antibodies to the specific virus is required.
An effective test that measures these antibodies is the ELISA test (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays). It is a very sensitive test and is practical enough to use for mass screening purposes. The ELISA test, has been developed for many other viruses, including HIV, varicella-zoster (chickenpox virus) and has been developed for other coronaviruses, including SARS and MERS. It has not yet been developed for the coronavirus COVID-19.
Development of a coronavirus specific ELISA test would be an extremely important development that would assist public health officials in better determining the timeline of this pandemic, and the level of immunity in the general public. It would also be extremely beneficial in getting U.S. workers back to work.
Multiple genetic researchers have concluded that the coronavirus’s genetic composition is not changing dramatically, as it spreads like wildfire across the globe. This is very good news, because it suggests that once you have formed antibodies to the coronavirus, you are immune to it, and will not become ill with it again.
It also means that even if others around you may be unknowingly infected, if you are immune, they cannot infect you. This knowledge will allow us to send individuals who are immune safely back to work. Dr. Deborah Birx, a member of the National Task Force for coronavirus, challenged the most prestigious virology labs in the country to develop an ELISA test as rapidly as possible, prove its viability, and make it available as rapidly as possible. Since the ELISA test is widely available for other viruses, there is reason to believe that developing a coronavirus specific ELISA test can be rapidly developed.
Dr. Birx challenged our medical professionals and scientists to develop a coronavirus specific ELISA test by the end of April.
The current COVID-19 swab test used in the U.S. requires a healthcare professional to swab the inside of a patient’s nose and send the mucus sample to a professional laboratory. A technique known as Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction,or RT-PCR, is used to look for coronavirus genetic material. The patient’s sample is added to chemicals that strip the mucus sample down to its basic RNA. In the laboratory, enzymes are added to transcribe the RNA to DNA. The test then seeks toidentify specific DNA genes found only in the coronavirus. If the testing process identifies 2 genes specific to the coronavirus, the test is considered positive. If only one gene is detected it is considered inconclusive.
A positive test means the individual has coronavirus in their system. The individual is infected and can transmit or spread the virus to others. Several research studies have concluded that the COVID-19 swab test is only 70-80% sensitive. This means that 20-30% of the time, the individual’s COVID-19 swab test result is negative, but the person is actually infected with the coronavirus.
Research demonstrates, however, that the test is very specific (98% specific). This means that if your test is positive, you are definitely infected and can spread the virus to others. Some physicians and researchers ask, “Why, if our testing fails to identify 30% of the people who actually have the illness, should we test”? That’s actually a really good question. The answer varies depending on the purpose of the testing. In the U.S. where wide-spread testing is generally not conducted, but is limited to patients who are very ill, doctors use it to confirm their suspicion, and hopefully, in the near future, to guide the patient’s treatment. Patients may be comforted by knowing what is wrong with them.
In other countries, who tested early and often, testing was used to rapidly identify infected people and immediately place them into strict quarantine. Public health officials tracked contacts of people who tested positive, tested these contacts, and ifcontacts tested positive, they were quarantined. This was a very effective tool in countries such as South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam, all in close proximity to China to slow the spread of infection.
Importantly, due to the relatively low sensitivity of the COVID-19 swab test, if you have typical symptoms of coronavirus such as fever, dry cough, fatigue and muscle aches, you should assume that you have the coronavirus, irrespective of your test results. Your physician may request that you re-take the test if you continue to have symptoms that do not get better, or symptoms that progress, such as shortness of breath, the hallmark of “getting worse.”
Industrial gloves will absolutely provide protection. Here’s the real difference between the two types of gloves:
Medical grade gloves must pass a series of technical tests to see if they meet the safety requirements put forth by the FDA. Gloves are tested for puncture and abrasion resistance, they are run through tension and elongation tests, and are also tested for chemical substance resistance.
The guidelines and requirements from the FDA are hard and fast, if the glove does not pass the tests, it is not considered “approved” by the FDA, however, this does not mean that if a glove is not safe to use. These gloves are safe to use as they must still meet certain levels of chemical penetration and puncture resistance. It just means that they missed the mark to be considered medical grade gloves.
Therefore, unless you are working in a hospital or other healthcare setting where medical gloves are required, the industrial grade gloves will afford you more protection than not using gloves at all.
Many diseases can be spread through blood and blood products. Fortunately, COVID-19, like many other respiratory diseases, does not seem to be one of them. To date, there have been no reported cases of blood transfusion-transmitted coronavirus.
The mortality rate (death rate) is higher than some, such as Influenza A, but lower than other viral pandemic/epidemics we have encountered.
Mortality Rates
Influenza A: .1%. (1 person out of 1000 people who
contract Influenza A will die).
COVID-19: currently estimated at 2.5-4.5% (25-45 out of 1000 people who contract COVID-19 will die)—(This number may be inflated due to lack of testing. A large number of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic people who are infected are not tested).
Other recent viral pandemic/epidemics have higher mortality rates or case fatality rates (CFR) For example:
Panic buying behavior occurs when the brain switches into survival mode. Panic overrides rational decision making. According to Dr. Ali Fenwick, human behavior expert at Nyenrode Business University, there are 4 main reasons why people behave in this fashion:
This virus is easily transmitted from person to person, without the infected person even knowing they are infected. As such, it is critical for everyone create and maintain a 6ft buffer (social distancing) around them. This is impossible in a packed bar. Think of the environment in most bars: lots of people, music or other noise so you are forced to move closer to a person in order to talk; the sharing of drinks, and maybe even physical contact on a good night. Simply ordering your drink forces you to lean in so there is less than 2 feet between you and the bartender. All these actions create the absolute perfect scenario to spread COVID-19.
The current store recommendations are that anyone over 65 years of age should remain indoors. This is important because research has concluded that anyone you encounter could be capable of transmitting the virus, even if they’re not showing any signs, such as coughing. You are also at risk of picking up the virus when you touch a shopping cart, handles in the refrigerator/freezer section and countertops that virus filled droplets have fallen upon, then inadvertently touching your mouth nose or eyes. If at all possible, take advantage of grocery delivery services, or have family, friends, neighbors to do your shopping. As a last resort, if you must shop for yourself, many stores have set up special hours for seniors.
There isn’t any truth in this at all. Alcohol will not kill the virus. While it may have a short-term uplifting effect, more likely it will proceed to depression and hopelessness.
Current data does indicate that the younger population (less than 30y/o) is better able tolerate the coronavirus infection. Less than 2% of symptomatic young people require hospitalization.{' '} This does NOT mean that young people are less likely to become infected. {' '} Since most young people have mild or no symptoms even if they are infected, they are rarely tested.
Emerging data from Europe shows an increase in hospital admissions in the 20-50 year old age group, as high as 40% of new admissions. We are not sure why. It is important to understand that even though you do not feel ill, or have symptoms, you may still be infected with the virus, and are able to infect others. We need our young population to understand that they are extremely important in curbing the virus. This is why social distancing in all age groups is so important.