COVID-19 UPDATE / November 28, 2021, Holiday Shopping Has Begun!

November 28, 2021, Holiday Shopping Has Begun! View as Webpage

At the turn of the century, Cyber Monday wasn’t even a gleam in the eye of the retail PR team that would create it, and the person commonly credited with coining the phrase was still in college.

Today, Cyber Monday is the United States’ biggest online shopping holiday. Every year, on the Monday after Thanksgiving, tens of millions of deal-hungry holiday shoppers converge on retail websites big and small to take advantage of time- and quantity-limited sales.

It’s no accident that Cyber Monday comes on the heels of Black Friday, its older, brick-and-mortar counterpart. The twin shopping holidays complement each other perfectly. In recent years, the lines between the two have blurred. Many Black Friday deals are available online, though in-store-only opportunities persist.

Meanwhile, Cyber Monday is frequently an extension of marathon “Black Friday week” or “Cyber week” promotions. Shoppers have more choice – and more chances to save – than ever before.

Your Weekly COVID-19 Updates

Paradise Valley Medical Clinic, Douglas M Lakin MD

9977 N 90th Street, Suite 180, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

480.614.5800 (phone), 480.614.6322 (Fax)

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT AS IT IS OF

IMPORTANCE TO ALL PATIENTS

"We will be emailing you weekly during the COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

We will provide you with the latest information and instructions to deal with the current outbreak as it develops in Phoenix."

Visit our Website

We Offer Telehealth And In-office Visits During The

COVID-19 Pandemic.

Please Call Us If You Need Medical Assistance.

480.614.5800

We Are Here For You!

PVMC COVID-19 OFFICE APPOINTMENT PRE-SCREENING

QUESTIONNAIRE

IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED 2 COVID-19

VACCINATIONS OF PFIZER-BioNTech OR MODERNA OR 1 COVID-19

VACCINATION OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND ARE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS OUT, NO NEED TO COMPLETE OUR QUESTIONNAIRE.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

ATTN PATIENTS:

Dr Lakin is using FaceTime ,

WhatsApp and Zoom to connect with you

for a 'Telehealth' visit. You can connect using your iPad, iPhone, Android phone, a laptop, or a PC with a camera.

Please watch these videos so you can be prepared and know how to connect with Dr Lakin for a 'Telehealth' visit.

CLICK ON THE PICTURES

FROM THE DOC

THE SURGE IN ARIZONA IS INCREASING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS.

THE FOUR CORNERS REGION CONTINUES A SURGE ON SURGE.

HOLIDAY GATHERINGS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE EXPOSURE DURING A SURGING PACE. IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED YOU ARE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND THESE EVENTS ARE APPROPRIATE BUT BE CONSIDERATE IN YOUR CHOICES.

THINK ABOUT YOUR SITUATION AND STAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

OUTDOOR VENUES/OPEN AIR IS MOST IDEAL.

TESTING PRIOR TO GET-TOGETHERS IS A REASONABLE APPROACH (HOME KITS ARE GREAT FOR THIS).

REQUESTING THAT THOSE ATTENDING BE VACCINATED IS ALSO QUITE HELPFUL IN REDUCING RISK.

OTHER STATES HAVE DROPPED BELOW SURGE LEVELS (CALIFORNIA/TEXAS) …. WE HAVE NOT. PLEASE REMAIN VIGILANT UNTIL WE ARE BELOW SURGE LEVELS.

WHEN WE ARE SURGING, WE REMAIN AT HIGHER RISK AND MASKING IS STILL BENEFICIAL. VACCINES AND BOOSTERS ARE THE BEST ANSWER.

1. WEAR YOUR MASK IN BUSY PUBLIC SPACES KN95 OR N95 DURING SURGE. CLOTH MASKS ARE OF LIMITED VALUE.

2. GET YOUR BOOSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PFIZER BOOSTER, MODERNA BOOSTER, AND J & J BOOSTER RECOMMENDED & APPROVED FOR ALL OVER AGE 18. EVERY ADULT WILL BENEFIT FROM A BOOSTER.

MIXING AND MATCHING VACCINES IS FINE. TRY TO STICK WITH YOUR VACCINE IF YOU CAN, BUT IT’S FINE TO MIX AND MATCH (THERE MAY BE A BENEFIT…BUT THE DATA IS LIMITED).

BOOSTER FOR THE J & J…. I RECOMMEND MODERNA OR PFIZER…. I DO NOT RECOMMEND REPEATING J & J…NOT AS GOOD.

GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOT. (ONLY EXCEPTION IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD BOTH COVID INFECTION + 2 VACCINES…THEY DO NOT NEED A BOOSTER)

WALK IN APPOINTMENTS ARE BECOMING LESS COMMON…. SET UP ‘ONLINE’ WITH THE PHARMACIES (LINKS ARE BELOW).

(WANING IMMUNITY OCCURS WITH THE CURRENT VACCINES AND A BOOSTER IS REQUIRED FOR MAXIMUM PROTECTION SO THAT YOU CAN BE ACTIVE IN PUBLIC WITH MAXIMUM CONFIDENCE.)

3. CHOOSE YOUR EXPOSURES WISELY AT THIS POINT. A-OK TO GO OUT IF VACCINATED BUT BE SELECTIVE AND SMART UNTIL THE SURGE IS OVER.

ONCE SURGE IS OVER, PUBLIC ACTIVITIES SHOULD RESUME TO NORMAL, PRE-COVID LEVELS. IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED YOU SHOULD LIVE LIFE AS NORMAL, UNLESS YOU ARE AT HIGHEST RISK DUE TO IMMUNE SUPPRESSION.

4. GET A COVID SELF-TEST KIT NOW.... TO HAVE AVAILABLE FOR SELF-CHECK SHOULD YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS THAT SUGGEST COVID. SELF TEST KITS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY, SO GET YOURS NOW...AND IF YOU CANNOT FIND ONE...KEEP LOOKING. YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID.

5. DO NOT CALL US FOR SHOTS...... WE DO NOT HAVE BOOSTER SHOTS.... PHARMACIES WILL BE GIVING OUT BOOSTER SHOTS.... SEE LIST BELOW.

YOU CAN TRY A ‘WALK IN’ APPOINTMENT AND SEE IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

VARIANTS OF CONCERN

THE OMICRON VARIANT FROM SOUTH AFRICA APPEARS TO BE SIGNFICANTLY MORE INFECTIOUS THAN CURRENT VARIANTS, WITH THE POTENTIAL TO EVADE VACCINATION/NATURAL IMMUNITY.

Its STATUS IS UNCLEAR, BUT WE WILL BE HEARING MORE IN THE COMING WEEKS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL ISSUE THIS VIRAL VARIANT POSES.

CURRENTLY, THIS VARIANT HAS NO IMPLICATIONS FOR COVID INFECTION AT THIS TIME IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR.

GENERAL COVID STATUS

SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX/ARIZONA:

WE ARE SURGING.

CASES ARE AT A HIGH LEVEL AND INCREASING…. THIS IS DISAPPOINTING NEWS FOR ARIZONA.

COVID EXPOSURE IS STILL HIGHER THAN DESIRABLE WHEN YOU GO OUT….

BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC IF YOU ARE VACCINATED:

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET OUT YOUR GOOD MASK AND WEAR IT. ASSESS YOUR SITUATION AND CHOOSE TO WEAR A MASK ACCORDING TO YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE RISKS INVOLVED.

I RECOMMEND YOU USE YOUR BEST MASK…. N95 OF KN95. THIS WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. CLOTH MASKS…LESS SO.

YOU WILL GET MILDLY SICK IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND GET COVID, BUT IF YOU DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH COVID…. START WITH YOUR MASK AGAIN IN PUBLIC SPACES.

MASKING RECOMMENDATIONS:

I RECOMMEND MASKING IN BUSY PUBLIC SPACES SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVEN A MILD COVID COLD.

IF YOU ARE OVER 85 OR HAVE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH ISSUES/KNOWN REDUCED IMMUNITY, THEN MASKING IS A MUST. FOR SUCH PEOPLE I RECOMMEND A KN95 OR 95 MASK TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED PROTECTION. REGULAR MASKS WILL NOT BE PARTICULARLY HELPFUL.

PERSONAL INTERACTIONS IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD A BOOSTER:

IMMUNITY IS WANING. YOU MUST BOOST. IF YOU HAVE NOT BOOSTED AND IT IS 5+ MONTHS SINCE YOUR VACCINATION SERIES, YOU ARE INCREASING YOUR RISK WEEK BY WEEK UNTIL YOU ARE BOOSTED.

PERSONAL INTERACTIONS AFTER YOU BOOST:

BOOSTING IS ESSENTIAL. ONE WEEK AFTER BOOST YOU ARE AT NEARLY 10X THE ANTIBODY LEVELS. WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE GO FROM UNMEASURABLE ANTIBODIES TO 20+ (MAXIMUM) ANTIBODIES FROM THE BOOSTER.

ONCE YOU ARE BOOSTED YOUR RISKS FOR SERIOUS COVID INFECTION ARE DRAMATICALLY DECREASED AND WE ARE ANTICIPATING 6-12MONTHS+ OF PERSISTING ANTIBODY RESPONSE FROM THE BOOSTER SHOT.

ONLY TIME WILL TELL US WHAT ACTUALLY OCCURS, BUT THIS IS OUR CURRENT EXPECTATION.

PERSONAL INTERACTIONS IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD ANY COVID VACCINATION:

YOUR RISK FOR COVID IS HIGH. YOU ARE BEING FOOLISH AND TAKING CHANCES WITH YOUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THOSE YOU LOVE.

YOU WILL GET COVID…. WE SEE PEOPLE EVERY WEEK GET COVID AFTER BEING ‘LUCKY’ FOR 18 MONTHS. THIS THINKING IS FOOLISH AND WILL LEAD TO UNNECESSARY HARDSHIP, HOSPITALIZATION, AND POTENTIAL LONG-TERM HEALTH CONSEQUENCES FOR YOU. DO NOT BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ‘WISHES’ YOU GOT YOUR SHOT. WE ARE STILL SEEING THIS HAPPEN…AND IT’S SAD.

FOLLOW ALL MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS 100%. REDUCING RISK IS NOT THE SAME AS ELIMINATING RISK. THOSE AT THE HIGHEST RISK WHO ARE UNVACCINATED SHOULD NOT BE TAKING ANY CHANCES, PERIOD!

BOOSTER SHOTS:

PFIZER, MODERNA, AND J & J BOOSTER SHOTS ARE APPROVED FOR THOSE WITH REDUCED IMMUNE SYSTEMS AND OVER 65 AND HIGH EXPOSURE PROFESSIONS.

BOOSTER SHOTS PER CDC GUIDELINES:

People 18 years and should receive a booster shot 6 months after their primary series.

VACCINATION RATES ARIZONA:

54% (+0%) ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

64% (+2%) PARTIALLY VACCINATED.

NEW VACCINATIONS ARE NEARLY AT A STANDSTILL.

DELTA VARIANT (INDIA VARIANT)

IS 99% OF CURRENT INFECTIONS IN THE USA.

ALL PATIENTS WHO HAVE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS SHOULD COVID SELF TEST FIRST, BEFORE THEY ARE IN CONTACT OR PLAN TO COME INTO OUR OFFICE.

IF YOU HAVE A POSITIVE COVID RESULT YOU SHOULD NOT COME INTO OUR OFFICE, BUT PLEASE NOTIFY US.

WHAT IF I GET COVID DESPITE BEING VACCINATED?

IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND YOU GET COVID IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE A MILD ILLNESS.

I HAVE LABELED THIS A ‘COVID COLD’

THE RISK FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS IS VERY REMOTE…BUT BE IN TOUCH FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

NEW TREATMENT OPTIONS EXIST INCLUDING:

STEROID INHALERS

FLUVOXAMINE (AN ANTI DEPRESSANT RECENTLY SHOWN TO REDUCE COVID INFECTION SEVERITY & HOSPITALIZATION.)

THERE IS NO WORRY IN THIS SITUATION. CONSIDER THIS VERY MUCH LIKE YOU WOULD FLU EXPOSURE DURING WINTER FLU SEASON…. BE ATTENTIVE, BUT NOT WORRIED.

AND PLEASE WAIT 10 DAYS FROM BEGINNING OF SYMPTOMS TO BE AROUND OTHERS.

TESTING FOR COVID IN PATIENTS WHO ARE VACCINATED IS NECESSARY WITH ANY SIGNIFICANT RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS.

HOW DO I GET TESTED FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVE COVID INFECTION?

TESTING CAN BE DONE AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OR BY A SELF-TEST FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY.

https://doctordoug.com/2020/11/22/covid-19-testing-sites/

YOU MAY PURCHASE A HOME TEST KIT FROM AMAZON OR YOU CAN GET SIMILAR KITS AT WALGREENS OR CVS OR YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A HOME KIT FOR SELF-TESTING AT HOME. IT IS LIKELY YOU WILL USE IT BY THE END OF WINTER.

RECOMMENDED HOME TEST KITS FROM AMAZON ARE:

BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test
Quidel QuickVue at-Home OTC COVID-19

https://www.amazon.com/BinaxNOW-COVID-19-15-Minute-Emergency-Authorization/dp/B094LVQZJL/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=binaxnow+rapid+covid+test&qid=1630677880&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Quidel-QuickVue-at-Home-COVID-19-Test/dp/B093NBTF75/ref=sr_1_3?crid=25COAA6CR9FBY&dchild=1&keywords=rapid+covid+testing+kit+for+home&qid=1630678185&sprefix=rapid+covid+test%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-3

FLU SEASON:

FLU SEASON IS BEGINNING… BE SURE TO GET YOUR FLU VACCINE!

FLU LEVELS ARE VERY LOW AT THIS TIME.

FOR THE UNVACCINATED:

I AGREE WITH THE CDC RECOMMENDATION FOR VACCINATION OF 5-18-YEAR-OLDS. THIS IS SAFE AND IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING THEIR RISKS AND THE FAMILIES' RISK OF INFECTION.

PLEASE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO GET VACCINATED NOW!

IF THEY DO NOT GET VACCINATED, THEY WILL GET COVID AT SOME POINT.

WE ARE NO LONGER ROUTINELY TESTING IN THE OFFICE FOR COVID EXPOSURE OR ILLNESS, BUT RATHER YOU SHOULD TEST AT A FACILITY OR DO A SELF-TEST PURCHASED FROM A PHARMACY OR AMAZON.

TESTING LOCATIONS CAN ALSO BE FOUND HERE:

https://doctordoug.com/2020/11/22/covid-19-testing-sites/

COVID IMMUNIZATION:

THE RATE OF PFIZER & MODERNA VACCINATION IS DECLINING NATIONALLY. BOTH OF THESE VACCINES ARE AMAZINGLY EFFECTIVE…VIRTUALLY 100% IN PREVENTING HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH FROM COVID...BOTH OF THEM. THEY ARE SAFE FOR MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGES.

POSSIBLE COVID VACCINE SEVERE

ALLERGIC REACTIONS:

OCCURRING AT A RATE OF

1 IN 50,000 (VERY LOW)

YOU SHOULD PLAN ON PROCEEDING WITH IMMUNIZATION UNLESS YOU HAVE A KNOWN ALLERGY TO PEG (POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL). .... A COMPONENT OF THE CARRIER IN THE VACCINES.

YOU CAN SEE DAILY TRENDS FOR ARIZONA AND THE U.S. HERE, ON THE CDC WEBSITE…JUST CHOOSE ‘ARIZONA’ FROM THE LIST.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailytrends

To monitor the curse of COVID in Maricopa County, go to: https://covidactnow.org

TOP PODCAST DONE WEEKLY

BY DR. MICHAEL OSTERHOLM

(UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA)

He is a world-renowned epidemiologist who was credited with first elucidating TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME in the 1980’s.

He provides comprehensive and understandable/actionable ideas related to COVID.

Dr. Osterholm Update: COVID-19

November 24, 2021

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/podcasts-webinars/thanksgiving-mini

'Thanksgiving Mini Episode'

In this mini episode, Dr. Osterholm compares the dynamics of the pandemic this Thanksgiving to last year, and what factors to consider when making Thanksgiving plans.

According to Dr. Osterholm……

VACCINE, VACCINE, VACCINE…THIS IS OUR PROTECTION
BOOST, BOOST, BOOST…THIS WILL BE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RECURRING SURGE AND TO RAISE ANTIBODY LEVELS IN THOSE ALREADY SET WITH THE PRIMARY COVID VACCINE SERIES.
COVID, IS WAXING AND WANING IN DIFFERENT STATES.
MASKS OF THE KN95 AND N95 VARIETY CAN BE HELPFUL. CLOTH MASKS AND SURGICAL MASKS ARE CURRENTLY NOT AS EFFECTIVE WITH DELTA VARIANT
THE VACCINE WORKS AGAINST DELTA VARIANT AND IS PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST SERIOUS ILLNESS AND HOSPITALIZATION. DEATHS AMONG THE VACCINATED ARE HIGHLY REDUCED.
GET YOUR BOOSTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Know that unvaccinated remain a source of potential infection. Avoiding unvaccinated persons will reduce your risk of COVID.

LOCATIONS FOR COVID TESTING OTHER THAN OUR OFFICE…SEE OUR UPDATED LIST:

https://doctordoug.com/2020/06/30/covid-19-testing-sites/

LATE NIGHT TESTING AT NEXTCARE FACILITIES IS A CONSIDERATION. HERE IS THE LINK:

https://nextcare.com/curbside/

Know that our office is responding to COVID, and we are here to help. Reach out for assistance if you are not feeling well. We will develop a plan of action for you to move forward.

Yours in good health,

Dr. Lakin

RECOMMENDED LINKS IN THIS NEWSLETTER AND IN GENERAL FOR COVID INFORMATION:

INTERNET SITES WITH BEST INFORMATION:

Risks with different activities…how to gauge risk:

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

Accurate US statistics by age on COVID infections:

https://www.acsh.org/news/2020/06/23/coronavirus-covid-deaths-us-age-race-14863

What we can expect of COVID in next 1 year:

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/public/downloads/cidrap-covid19-viewpoint-part1_0.pdf

Can follow here for ARIZONA UPDATES DAILY and best trending information to know what is out in the community:

https://covidactnow.org/us/az?s=44750

Most informative graphics:

https://www.acsh.org/news/2020/06/02/every-picture-tells-story-covid-roundup-14825

Get your Mask up to N95 Level:

https://www.fixthemask.com

If you have symptoms of COVID…. you can run through a simple checklist on-line to see if you should be concerned:

https://c19check.com/start

Understanding the various vaccines under development

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/covid-vaccine-update-coronavirus/

After you received your COVID vaccinations, please let us know!

We would like to document this information into your chart.

BUT FIRST.......

PLEASE COMPLETE THE INFORMATION ON THE CARD BEFORE YOU SEND IT TO US!

What we need:

Your name
Date vaccination received
Brand name
Lot number if available
Which dose you have received

**Email your COVID vaccine completed info HERE

Information Where To Schedule Your COVID-19 Vaccine & Boosters

Maricopa County Covid-19 Vaccine Data

Key takeaways from this week’s data (as of 11/23/2021):

The 5–11-year-old age group is now eligible to receive the Pfizer mRNA vaccine! Almost 32,000 doses of vaccine have been given to children in this age group! (A person having received at least one dose of vaccine is counted after having received at least dose #1 in ASIIS. Most of the vaccine doses given in this age group have an “unknown” dose number in ASIIS. Because of this, many of these doses are not reflected in the demographic tables of people who have received at least 1 dose of vaccine, including the breakdown by age group.)
Over 2.4 million Maricopa County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine — which is almost 55% of the total population.
Over 5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given to Maricopa County residents.
In the last week, over 12,000 doses of vaccine were given to Maricopa County residents daily.
Almost 55% of all Maricopa County residents, over 58% of Maricopa County residents 5 years and older, and over 66% of adults 18 years and older have received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Read more here. . .

Omicron Variant - NEW COVID Variant Worse Than Delta?

At our office, we are continuing to follow CDC guidelines and will strive for ways to keep our patients and staff safe.

We require that all unvaccinated and vaccinated patients and visitors entering our office cover their nose and mouth at all times.

To prevent further spread of the Delta variant, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on September 16, 2021, to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission of Covid-19, which includes nearly two-thirds of all US counties.

We have a limited supply of paper masks and will make these available to patients while they last, however, we strongly encourage you to bring your own facial covering.

We Are Here to Take Care of Your Healthcare Needs.

We Are Here to Serve!

Our office is using all techniques to reduce exposure to a minimum during your visit. These include:

· Temperature checks of all patients and staff.

· Masks for all people in the office.

· Cleansing of hands and surfaces repeatedly.

· Multiple Super-HEPA filters to filter out potential virus and particles in the office.

· High Level UV light air cleansing in the office to eliminate bacteria and viruses in the air.

OUR UPDATED OFFICE SCHEDULE

DOORS OPEN

7AM - 4PM Monday through Thursday

7AM - 11AM Friday

IN OFFICE

APPOINTMENTS: MONDAY – THURSDAY

7AM – 11:15AM & 1PM – 3:30PM

APPOINTMENTS: FRIDAY

7AM – 10:30 AM

DR. LAKIN WILL CONTINUE ‘TELEHEALTH’ VISITS WITH FaceTime, WhatsApp or ZOOM WHEN NEEDED.

COVID KIT:

This is what you should have at home to prepare for possible COVID, to monitor yourself if you were to get infected:

DIGITAL ORAL THERMOMETER: MANY BRANDS ARE FINE…HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Thermometer-Reading-Waterproof-Indicator/dp/B087T3S4TR/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=THERMOMETER&qid=1597159324&sr=8-6

PULSE OXIMETER: TO CHECK OXYGEN LEVELS. MANY BRANDS ARE FINE...HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:

https://www.amazon.com/Innovo-Fingertip-Oximeter-Plethysmograph-Perfusion/dp/B07YVGZPRZ/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&keywords=PULSE+OXI&qid=1597159388&sr=8-20

OTHER ITEMS FROM THE HOME MEDICAL KIT:

· TYLENOL, ADVIL, OR ALEVE

· Sudafed 30mg tablets

· Chlorpheniramine 4mg tablets

· Robitussin DM syrup

· Imodium AD

COVID COURSE:

THREE PHASES OF COVID:

· JAILBIRD Day 1-10

· PAROLE BIRD 11-17

· FREE BIRD 17+

JAILBIRD: STRICT QUARANTINE...... 10 DAYS FROM DATE OF FIRST SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS IF OBVIOUS OR FROM DATE OF TESTING IF UNCERTAIN BASED ON SYMPTOMS

PAROLE BIRD: DAY 11-17…. VERY CAREFUL WITH ALL ATTENTION TO MASKING, DISTANCING, HAND CLEANSING: NEXT 7 DAYS AFTER QUARANTINE

FREE BIRD: DAY 17 AND BEYOND.... NO RESTRICTIONS.

Although I do not recommend testing to prove the virus has cleared after infection, if you have testing and are clear, then the above protocol is not applied.

CARING FOR YOURSELF IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE COVID OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID:

Most Common Symptoms

They consist of the same set of symptoms as the common cold/rival respiratory syndrome, but they are worse.

Common/Hallmark symptoms:

· High fever (over 100.4, but can range from 99’s to 104+)

· Fatigue

· Cough

Other symptoms can include milder issues:

· Loss of Smell and/or Taste

· Nausea without Vomiting

· Sore Throat

· Aching muscles throughout the body

· Headache

· Occasional diarrhea …

· Nasal congestion (occasional)

TREATMENT:

Symptomatic treatment for the most bothersome symptoms

· Plan to: Monitor temperature twice daily and record.

· Monitor oxygen levels twice daily and record. If dropping

significantly you should be in touch.

For the oxygen/Temperature:

1. Check your temperature twice daily and keep a log. No temperature is dangerous…adults do not have to worry about this. This is about monitoring your condition. If you have concerns, be in touch.

2. Check oxygen level twice daily and keep a log. A declining oxygen level can indicate early de-compensation from COVID. Normal oxygen saturation is 97-100%. If lower than that it may be normal for you, but the trend is what matters. If you are declining into the low ninety’s, if you are feeling particularly short of breath…then it is time to check at the Emergency Room (which is safe to do!) If you have concerns…be in touch.

Aches and Pains and Fever:

· Tylenol 650 – 1000mg four times per day is preferred for treating these symptoms, but if not working well, you may use:

· Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2 – 3 tablets….2 – 3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1 – 2 tablets...1 – 2 x per day,

· Drink good amounts of clear liquids (anything you can see through)

Sore Throat:

· Saltwater gargling

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

2. Gargle for 15 seconds and spit.

3. Repeat during the day every 2 – 4 hours to relieve pain.

· Pain relief medications: Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2 – 3 tablets….2 – 3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1 – 2 tablets...1 – 2 x per day, or Tylenol 650 – 1000mg four times per day.

Cough:

· Steam: Either in the form of a hot, steamy shower or using a hot pot of water and covering with a towel and put your head under the towel. Both methods will provide humid air to the irritated air passages and soothe the cough.

· Cough Syrup: Robitussin DM or Delsym cough syrup can be used to suppress cough.

· You may require a prescription cough syrup with Codeine. Contact me if that is the case.

Sinus Congestion and Drainage (RARE SYMPTOM):

· Use a decongestant such as Sudafed 30mg, 1 – 2 pills up to four times per day, or use a drying antihistamine such as Chlortrimeton 4mg, up to four times per day. Other cold medications (over the counter) can be used.

· Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra will not work for congestion symptoms from an infection. Do Not Use.

Nausea Treatment:

This is the most difficult issue to treat at home as there is very little one can do to settle the stomach. Coca-Cola with the carbonation eliminated (Flat Coke), Ginger Ale, or Ginger Root…. can be tried, but these are often inadequate, and the key to getting the stomach to settle is getting a good nausea medication.

If nausea is persistent, then calling for a prescription medication is often a good idea. Phenergan (Promethazine), Compazine (prochlorperazine), Zofran (Ondansetron) are very effective in treatment. Sometimes we use them in combination either as a pill or a suppository.

The KEYS are:

1. Settling the Stomach…so that liquids can be taken

2. Focusing on Liquids…so that dehydration does not set in

3. Eating light foods… if possible (to provide energy for healing). This is not a requirement for healing from an acute GI illness; so, do not feel that the sick person needs to eat food. The only requirement is liquid intake!

When to Seek Medical Assistance

• There is no medication to treat this virus, so the resolution takes time.

Worsening symptoms/Signs of Complications:

• If you are getting significantly short of breath please be in touch. If progressive and worsening, you need to be seen and hospitalized. Best to go the ER if shortness of breath is a significant symptom

How Long to Recover

• The COVID is a viral infection that will take from 3–7 days to develop, 3-7 days to improve and then from 3-7 days to completely resolve.

Stay Safe!

The Jewish Festival of Rededication, also called the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration that falls each year on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, which generally falls in December in the Gregorian calendar. (In 2021, Hanukkah is November 28 through December 6.)

Hanukkah, also referred to as Chanukah, celebrates the rededication of the second Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

The First Sunday of Advent, the start of a four-week observation beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, takes place on November 28 this year.

Derived from the Latin word for arrival — “adventus” — Advent is observed by Christian denominations worldwide to mark the start of the spiritual period of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day, and the beginning of a new Christian year.