July 4, 2021, Happy 4ht of July! View as Webpage
Happy 4th of July 2021!

Fourth of July fireworks are back in a big way this year in metro Phoenix.

After Valley residents saw canceled and modified events for the Fourth of July last year due to the pandemic, a number of cities are promising Independence Day events this year that showcase bigger and brighter fireworks displays to make up for 2020.


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."
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
WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE WEEKLY UPDATES EVEN IF THERE IS NO CHANGE IN COVID.  WE ANTICIPATE THE NEED FOR WEEKLY MONITORING TO TRACK THE SITUATION AS IT CHANGES WITH TIME.
   
ARIZONA
REMAINS LOW AND FLAT…. BUT I AM HEARING/SEEING BREAKTHROUGH CASES.  THERE IS AN INCREASE DEVELOPING WITH DELTA VARIANT IN PHOENIX.  
  
I RECOMMEND YOU OBTAIN A SELF TEST KIT FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY OR AMAZON AT 24$ FOR A KIT OF TWO TESTS.  THESE ARE USEFUL FOR TESTING IF YOU HAVE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS THAT MAY BE COVID.  THIS APPLIES TO THE VACCINATE AND UNVACCINATED.
  
VACCINATION RATES ARIZONA:
40% (NO CHANGE%) ARE FULLY VACCINATED, 50% (+1%) PARTIALLY VACCINATED.
WE ARE DOING OK…BUT NOT IN THE TOP ECHELON OF STATES.
  
WEEK-BY-WEEK MONITORING WILL BE THE NEW NORMAL, LOOKING FOR SURGING…. WHICH MAY BE BEGINNING.
 
DELTA VARIANT (INDIAN VARIANT) IS INCREASINGLY DRAMATICALLY AND IS MORE CONTAGIOUS. IT WILL BECOME THE DOMINANT VARIANT AROUND THE WORLD AND IN THE US.
  
IF YOU ARE VACCINATED 
 YOU ARE PROTECTED AGAINST ALL KNOWN VARIANTS INCLUDING THE NEW INDIAN ‘DELTA’ VARIANT (BETWEEN 88-95% PROTECTED FROM MILD INFECTION AND 98-99% FROM SEVERE INFECTION).
 
 
  ALL ACTIVITIES ARE OPEN TO YOU WITHOUT MASKING.  EXCEPTIONS INCLUDE: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND AIRPLANE TRAVEL……. USE YOUR BEST MASK IN THOSE SETTINGS.  PUBLIC ARENAS…. USE YOUR BEST MASK.
  
IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND YOU WERE TO GET COVID IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE A MILD ILLNESS. THE RISK FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS IS VERY REMOTE. 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.
  
TESTING FOR COVID IN PATIENTS WHO ARE VACCINATED IS NECESSARY WITH RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS.
  
TESTING CAN BE DONE AT THE LOCATIONS BELOW OR VIA SELF TEST:
 
  
TESTING SHOULD BE DONE AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OR BY A SELF-TEST FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY. YOU MAY PURCHASE A HOME TEST KIT FROM AMAZON FOR $24.95 FOR A BOX OF 2 TESTS.

  
TESTING SHOULD BE DONE AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OR BY A SELF-TEST FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY. YOU MAY PURCHASE A HOME TEST KIT FROM AMAZON FOR $24.95 FOR A BOX OF 2 TESTS OR YOU CAN GET IT 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.
 
 
COVID ANTIBODY TESTING IS NOT REQUIRED IN GENERAL, BUT IF YOU ARE OVER 85 OR ON IMMUNE-SUPPRESSING MEDICATION FOR CANCER TREATMENT, ARTHRITIS TREATMENT, GI TREATMENT OR SKIN TREATMENT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ANTIBODY TESTING TO CONFIRM YOUR IMMUNIZATION WAS EFFECTIVE.
  
FOR THE UNVACCINATED:
YOUR SITUATION IS GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY AS THE DELTA VARIANT SPREADS ACROSS THE US. THIS IS MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS.
YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO MASK IN ALL SETTINGS AND PREPARE TO GET COVID.  ULTIMATELY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF NONVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS WILL GET COVID.
   
 MARICOPA COUNTY IS STABLE BUT MAY BE RISING. 
 
THE OPERATIVE MODEL IS ‘POPCORN’…EACH STATE POPPING LIKE A CORN KERNEL AT ITS OWN PLACE AND TIME.
 
WILL ARIZONA ‘POP’? IT IS LIKELY THAT IT WILL HAPPEN SOMETIME THIS YEAR.  WE COULD HAVE A ‘DELTA SUMMER’.
CONTINUING
TO MONITOR REGULARLY FOR INDICATIONS IS THE ONLY WAY TO IDENTIFY THE TIMING. CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE WE ARE SURGING ANY TIME SOON.
 
RIGHT NOW, ARIZONA IS LOW RISK FOR VACCINATED ADULTS, AND VACCINATED PEOPLE SHOULD GET OUT AND ABOUT. …. GET ACTIVE AND GET OUT! 
  
I AGREE WITH THE CDC RECOMMENDATION FOR VACCINATION OF 12-15-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 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:


To order a rapid test for this summer/fall/winter in case you need…. you can order this test from Amazon ($24 for 2 tests)
 
 
IN ARIZONA:
FLU SEASON IS OVER…. NO MORE FLU. IT WILL BE BACK IN THE FALL…PERHAPS SOME IN THE SUMMER.
 
COVID IMMUNIZATION:
PFIZER, MODERNA ARE PROCEEDING AT HIGH LEVELS…BUT DECLINING.  THESE VACCINES ARE AMAZINGLY EFFECTIVE…VIRTUALLY 100% IN PREVENTING HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH FROM COVID…ALL OF THEM. THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE FOR MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGES. 
 
THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE IS BACK ONLINE AFTER THE ‘HOLD’ DUE TO 1 IN 300,000 CLOTTING RISKS IN YOUNGER WOMEN SPECIFICALLY (UNDER 55).  GENERAL SAFETY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. 
I RECOMMEND THE J & J FOR MEN OF ALL AGES AND FOR WOMEN OVER 65 YEARS OLD.   
 
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.
  
PERSONAL INTERACTIONS IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE COVID VACCINATION:
FOLLOW ALL MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS 100%.   COVID IS MUCH LOWER CURRENTLY.   REDUCING RISK IS NOT THE SAME AS ELIMINATING RISK.  THOSE AT THE HIGHEST RISK WHO ARE UNVACCINATED SHOULD NOT BE TAKING ANY CHANCES, PERIOD!
 
 PERSONAL INTERACTIONS WITH ONE VACCINE DOSE…. AWAITING YOUR SECOND (PFIZER/MODERNA):
14 DAYS AFTER YOUR FIRST VACCINE DOSE YOU ARE ~50% PROTECTED FROM MILD/MODERATE COVID INFECTIONS GENERALLY AND ~72% PROTECTED FROM SERIOUS COVID INFECTIONS. FOLLOW ALL MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS 
 
 PERSONAL INTERACTIONS 14 DAYS AFTER YOUR SECOND COVID VACCINE (PFIZER/MODERNA) OR AFTER J&J VACCINE:
IF YOU HAVE HAD 2 VACCINE DOSES (OR 1 DOSE OF J&J) AND IF YOU ARE 14 DAYS BEYOND YOUR SECOND DOSE, THEN YOU ARE ~95% PROTECTED FROM GETTING MILD/MODERATE COVID, AND VIRTUALLY 100% PROTECTED FROM GETTING SEVERE COVID.  YOU SHOULD CONSIDER MORE INTERACTIONS AND OUTINGS IN THE COMMUNITY BUT FOLLOW GENERAL MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS.

YOU CAN SEE DAILY TRENDS FOR ARIZONA AND THE U.S. HERE, ON THE CDC WEBSITE…JUST CHOOSE ‘ARIZONA’ FROM THE LIST.
 
 
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
Episode 59: June 24, 2021
*No new podcast this week.
Dr. Osterholm will be back next week.

"Wrestling with Risk"
In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss the "whack-a-mole" nature of this pandemic, the latest data on the delta variant and what it could mean moving forward, global vaccination strategies, and the topic of mandatory COVID-19 vaccines on college campuses.

According to Dr. Osterholm……

This week is like last week’s podcast…no real changes in expectations.
 
Internationally, COVID is surging at high rates, and countries in Africa, Latin America, South America, and Asia are seeing rampant infection, and they do not have the benefits of high-level vaccination rates. The International scene will remain difficult for some time. 
 
Avoid COVID exposure when possible, even if you are vaccinated.  Use distancing as your best protection.
 
The current vaccine protects against all know important variants:
Alpha…. B117…. the UK variant 
Beta…. B 1.1351…. the South African variant
Gamma…P1…the Brazilian variant
Delta….B.1.1617.2…the Indian variant
 
Know that unvaccinated remain a source of potential infection.  Avoiding unvaccinated persons will substantially reduce your risk of COVID.
 
Surges are still possible in all states despite vaccination efforts and there are still a lot of people who are not vaccinated, and they are susceptible to infection. We might see surges in the future, in different states at different times.   Mother Nature will determine the time and place, but if you are vaccinated, then you are well-protected.
 
The decline of COVID 19 in the US was due to factors we do not understand about the virus and which we are just learning about. Clearly, the virus infection occurs in cycles. We are at a low level, but that will change at some point…. we do not know when so we will monitor and inform.
 
Variants across the world are likely to return to the US.  It is in our interest to vaccinate the world to help them as well as protect us.
VACCINE:    
 
PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES SHOW EXCELLENT RESPONSE RATES IN THE 95% RANGE…. SIMILAR TO IMMUNIZATIONS LIKE POLIO AND MEASLES…THEY ARE VERY EFFECTIVE.
 
THIS IS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT AND RIVALS THE POLIO VACCINE AS A GAME-CHANGER.
 
THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE SHOWS EXCELLENT RESULTS WITH SEVERE DISEASE, DEATH, AND HOSPITALIZATION…. EFFECTIVE IN THE 90+% RANGE.  FOR MILD DISEASE IT IS LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES, BUT THIS IS ONLY ONE SHOT, DOES NOT HAVE TO BE KEPT FROZEN SO NO CONCERNS ABOUT IT’S CHAIN OF CUSTODY, WHICH IS A CONSIDERATION AS WELL.

ALL STUDIES ARE ‘DOUBLE BLIND……PATIENT AND DOCTOR DO NOT KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION OR PLACEBO….AND PLACEBO CONTROLLED……1/2 THE DOSES ARE INACTIVE….’ THIS IS HIGH SCIENCE AND INFORMATION WE CAN FEEL CONFIDENT IN.  SINCE THE DOCTORS AND PARTICIPANTS DO NOT KNOW WHO IS GETTING WHAT…. AN INDEPENDENT BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE VACCINE UNDER STUDY. THIS IS HOW SUCH TRIALS ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK AND IT IS REASSURING, NOT DISHEARTENING, THAT THEY ARE PROCEEDING IN THIS MANNER. THIS IS REASON FOR CONFIDENCE…. NOT DISAPPOINTMENT!
 
ANTIBODY BLOOD TESTING IN OUR OFFICE, AT SONORA QUEST WITH THE EUROIMMUN TEST, IS EXTREMELY ACCURATE.  
 
Nasal testing for acute COVID infection is available at the office. Feel free to check your COVID if you have any reason for concern.
 
Alternative testing sites will be listed weekly and expanded. You can find them on our website on the rotating screen and the list is linked below as well. 
 
LOCATIONS FOR COVID TESTING OTHER THAN OUR OFFICE…SEE OUR UPDATED LIST:
 
LATE NIGHT TESTING AT NEXTCARE FACILITIES IS A CONSIDERATION. HERE IS THE LINK:
 
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:
 
Accurate US statistics by age on COVID infections:
 
What we can expect of COVID in next 1 year:
 
Can follow here for ARIZONA UPDATES DAILY and best trending information to know what is out in the community:
 
Most informative graphics:
 
Get your Mask up to N95 Level:
 
If you have symptoms of COVID…. you can run through a simple checklist on-line to see if you should be concerned:
 
Understanding the various vaccines under development

After you received your COVID vaccination,
please let us know!
We would like to document this information into your chart.

**We only document vaccinations that are received/given, not future appointments. Please be sure to send us again the second dose information after you get it!
BUT FIRST.......
PLEASE COMPLETE THE INFORMATION ON THE CARD BEFORE YOU SEND IT TO US!
What we need:
  1. Your name
  2. Date vaccination received
  3. Brand name
  4. Lot number if available.

**Email your COVID vaccine completed info HERE
...........Thank you
POP UP COMING VACCINATION EVENTS
Pop up events are by appointment only. You must be 18 years of age or older to receive the vaccine. Please come prepared with a face mask, official photo ID, and insurance card if you have one.
We will keep you informed as they are scheduled across the Valley.

TRUSTED SOURCES
QUESTIONS
All information requests related to Maricopa County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic should be directed to the Joint Information Center using the email address caomedia@maricopa.gov.

If you would like to get
updates on vaccine events, you can
Vaccine Finder Information & Tips:
Costco has appointments periodically.
Their appointments fill up very quickly, but if you are looking for COVID vaccine at a Costco near you, check out this site frequently!
A tool to help you track down COVID-19 vaccine appointment openings at your state's pharmacies. Updated every minute.
Maricopa County Covid-19 Vaccine Data
Key takeaways from this week’s data (as of 6/29/2021):
  • Over 2 million Maricopa County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine!
  • Over 3.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given to Maricopa County residents.
  • Almost 46% of all Maricopa County residents over 52% of Maricopa County residents 10 years and older have received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
"Updated Mask Policy In Our Office!"
At our office, we are continuing to follow CDC Updated Guidelines and will strive for ways to keep our patients and staff safe.

Patients that are fully vaccinated may enter without a mask.

Patients/visitors that are not fully vaccinated, we ask that you please continue to wear a mask. 
We are still screening patients/visitors that are not fully vaccinated. 

Masks have been shown to decrease the spread of coronavirus from infected people, even those who do not have symptoms.

We have a limited supply of paper mask and will make these available to patients while they last, however, we strongly encourage you to bring your own facial covering.
 
How to Protect Yourself & Others
Take It Slow, Be OK With Saying No & Other Expert Advice For Safely Celebrating Fourth of July
By Katia Hetter, CNN
With the Fourth of July holiday weekend upon us, many people are attending small backyard barbecues, pool parties and bigger celebrations like large gatherings or firework displays.

What safety precautions should people keep in mind, especially with the more contagious Delta variant on the rise? What are the risks to vaccinated people versus those not yet vaccinated? What if you're fully vaccinated, but feeling anxious and not quite ready to see so many people?

We asked CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen for her thoughts. Wen is an emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She's also author of the forthcoming book "Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health." Here's her advice.
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-19 SUMMARY:
 
REDUCE RISK BY REDUCING CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS
 
REDUCE CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS BY:
1.   Washing hands frequently….20 seconds is advised, but any hand washing is helpful.
2.   Wear a mask or face covering when out in public.
3.   Use hand cleanser in between washings…if available.
4.   Clean your cell phone daily with a cleansing wipe or UV light.
5.   Shower or bathe daily.  Twice daily if you want to feel more relaxed.
6.   Do not Pick Nose, Rub Eyes, or Pick Teeth with your fingers
7.   Do not go out or to work if you are ill…. or think you are ill.  If you are unsure, check your temperature. If over 99.8 you should not be going out.
8.   If someone in your house is ill, treat them as though they have COVID.  Have them get tested and you should quarantine as well.
9.   Stay away from people who are sick with COVID. Only caregivers should be in contact with COVID patients and they practice high level cleaning to prevent spread.
10. Maintain physical distancing practices, avoid getting within 6 feet of people (other than immediate household occupants)
11. Limit your activities to the minimum interactions you can do to maintain your daily living.
12. Leave mail and other paper products for one to two days on the shelf or in the garage (outside the house) …then bring them in after sitting for 24-48 hours to reduce the potential for transmission.
13.  Groceries cleaning should be considered, although not as strict as initially indicated when the pandemic began.   See this video link for excellent detailed information:  Click Here
 
IF YOU ARE SYMPTOMATIC AND HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU MAY HAVE COVID ……BUT TESTING HAS NOT BEEN DONE YET …….DO AS FOLLOWS:
·        Self-Quarantine for 14 days from the start of illness and FOR at least 3 days after fever and major symptoms have resolved. 
·        Do not share a bathroom with housemates if possible. Use your own bathroom.
·        Do not share utensils with others and clean your own utensils and/or use paper/disposable eating materials.
·        Wait 1 day to wash the clothing you wear. Clothing can be washed after sitting out for 24 hours (virus is not transmissible at that point via clothing).   Others can wash your clothes using this approach.
·        Avoid sharing living spaces with housemates, to the extent your living situations allows.
·        Wash your hands frequently. Use cleanser on surfaces frequently.
·        Wear a mask & gloves when in the presence of others. Wear when you are with others as much as possible.
·        Shower/bathe twice daily if possible.
·        All household contacts should self-quarantine as well with only minimal outside interaction.
 
MORE EXPANSIVE TESTING IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN OUR OFFICE. 
It is being done at the end of the day, in your car, by myself…. wearing protective gear. 
IF YOU ARE ILL AND CONCERNED YOU MAY HAVE COVID INFECTION OR SIGNIFICANT COVID EXPOSURE:
Contact the office via phone or email first for instructions:
480-614-5800
 
Please do not walk into our office if you think you have COVID infection. We will not see you in the office. Only in your car, and with that, you should contact the office to be seen at the end of the day.
If you think you have COVID and are truly short of breath, you need to go to the Emergency Room, not to our office. We are not equipped to handle low oxygen levels.
 
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:
 
PULSE OXIMETER:  TO CHECK OXYGEN LEVELS. MANY BRANDS ARE FINE...HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:
 
 
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 just 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 90’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 possibly 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 generally take from 3–7 days to develop, 3-7 days to improve and then from 3-7 days to completely resolve.

Stay Safe!
‘Independence Day'
Who’s in it: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin

What’s it about: When alien forces begin to seize major cities in the U.S. in hopes to destroy Earth on (you guessed it) Independence Day, mankind’s best weapon is the will to survive. Plus, Will Smith punching aliens to save his country just screams patriotism.

Enjoy!