COVID-19 UPDATE / August 8, National Zucchini Day!

August 8, 2021, National Zucchini Day! View as Webpage

'National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day – August 8, 2021'

It’s that time of year when keen gardeners have way too much zucchini on their hands, and so August 8 is National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day. Those tasty zucchini plants are so rich in produce that even the most hardcore zucchini muncher will struggle to eat it all. With that in mind, this cheeky day is your chance to sneak up your neighbor’s garden path and leave a little surprise for when they open the door.

Whilst we now have such an abundance of zucchini that we can afford, and in fact need, a holiday where we sneak it onto our neighbor’s porch, this hasn’t always been the case. It’s believed that zucchinis never really made their way across to the United States until the 1920s, and were brought across by Italians and then cultivated in California.

Zucchinis originated in Italy and have been traced back as far as the 1850s. The first written record of zucchini can be traced back to Milan in 1901. As global travel has increased so has the popularity of the zucchini. It is now used in cooking all across the world.

We’re not sure exactly when the first National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day was celebrated, but we do know that it was the brainchild of Thomas Roy, who also invented National No Socks Day and Humbug Day. He sounds like our kind of guy.

Read more here. . . .

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

HERE IS YOUR WEEKLY COVID UPDATE:

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE WEEKLY INFORMATION SO YOU CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY. COVID WILL BE VARYING OVER THE COMING SEVERAL MONTHS.

WE HAVE CHANGED THE FORMAT TO BETTER RELATE THE INFORMATION THAT WILL BE USEFUL WEEK BY WEEK.

RECOMMENDATIONS THIS WEEK

WE ARE SURGING.

THIS WILL LAST 6-12 WEEKS ….

IT IS TIME TO BUCKLE UP AND

DO YOUR BEST.

WEAR YOUR MASK IN BUSY PUBLIC SPACES KN 95 OF N95.
GET A COVID SELF- TEST KIT NOW.... TO HAVE AVAILABLE FOR SELF-CHECK SHOULD YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS THAT SUGGEST COVID.
CHOOSE YOUR EXPOSURES WISELY AT THIS POINT. AOK TO GO OUT IF VACCINATED BUT BE SELECTIVE AND SMART UNTIL THE SURGE IS OVER.

GENERAL COVID STATUS

SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX/ARIZONA:

WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF AN 8-12 WEEK SURGE.

CASES ARE INCREASING DRAMATICALLY AND THE COVID IS AROUND THE TOWN IN HIGH LEVELS. A CLEAR INCREASE IN CASES AMONG THE UNVACCINATED AND VACCINATED.

BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC IF YOU ARE VACCINATED:

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET OUT YOUR 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 THE COVID, BUT IF YOU DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH COVID…. START WITH YOUR MASK AGAIN IN PUBLIC SPACES.

MASKING RECOMMENDATIONS:

IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED, GENERALLY HEALTHY, AND UNDER 85…. YOU DO NOT ‘NEED’ TO USE A MASK, BUT FOR NOW, WITH HIGHER CASES IN TOWN, I RECOMMEND MASKING IN 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 RECOMMENDED. FOR SUCH PEOPLE I RECOMMEND A KN95 OR 95 MASK TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED PROTECTION. REGULAR MASKS WILL NOT BE PARTICULARLY HELPFUL.

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 ~65-95% 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.

PERSONAL INTERACTIONS IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD ANY COVID VACCINATION:

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:

BOOSTER SHOTS WILL BE PROVIDED AT SOME POINT, BUT THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE PRESENT TIME. WE ARE AWAITING INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC.

THOSE WHO NEED BOOSTER SHOTS MOST URGENTLY ARE, IN DESCENDING ORDER:

PEOPLE WHO HAD THE J & J VACCINE.

THOSE WHO HAVE DOCUMENTED LOW OR NO ANTIBODIES

THOSE WHO ARE IMMUNE SUPPRESSED

ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 65

THE IMMUNIZATIONS ARE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE (93% OR MORE) AT PREVENTING SERIOUS ILLNESS.

VACCINATION RATES ARIZONA:

46% (+1%) ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

54% (+1%) PARTIALLY VACCINATED.

WE ARE DOING OK…BUT NOT IN THE TOP ECHELON OF STATES.

DELTA VARIANT (INDIA VARIANT)

IS INCREASING DRAMATICALLY AND IS MORE CONTAGIOUS.

90% OF CASES IN THE US ARE DELTA

IF YOU ARE VACCINATED

YOU ARE PROTECTED AGAINST ALL KNOWN VARIANTS INCLUDING THE NEW INDIA ‘DELTA’ VARIANT (BETWEEN 65-95% PROTECTED FROM MILD INFECTION AND 95+% FROM SEVERE INFECTION).

WHAT IF I FEEL SICK WITH SYMPTOMS OF A COLD OR RESPIRATORY INFECTION?

I RECOMMEND YOU OBTAIN A SELF TEST KIT FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY OR AMAZON AT ABOUT $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 VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED.

CHECKING YOURSELF IS APPROPRIATE AT THIS POINT FORWARD. ALL PATIENTS WHO HAVE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS SHOULD COVID SELF TEST FIRST, BEFORE THEY ARE IN CONTACT OR PLAN TO COME INTO OUR OFFICE.

IF THEY HAVE A POSITIVE COVID RESULT THEY 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. 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 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 ABOUT $24 FOR A BOX OF 2 TESTS.

https://www.amazon.com/Quidel-Rapid-at-Home-COVID-19-Antigen/dp/B093NLPMZF

TESTING SHOULD 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.

COVID ANTIBODY TESTING:

COVID ANTIBODY TESTING IS NOT REQUIRED IN GENERAL, BUT SHOULD BE DONE IF:

YOU ARE OVER 85
YOU ARE ON IMMUNE SUPPRESSING MEDICATIONS FOR CANCER TREATMENT, ARTHRITIS TREATMENT, GI TREATMENT OR SKIN TREATMENT

FLU SEASON:

FLU SEASON IS OVER…. NO MORE FLU.

IT WILL BE BACK IN THE FALL…

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.

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 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/

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)

https://www.amazon.com/Quidel-QuickVue-at-Home-COVID-19-Test/dp/B093ND7LX4/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=covid+test+rapid&qid=1624026393&sr=8-9

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.

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.

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

Ep 63 Osterholm Update COVID-19: Ebbs and Flows

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 63: August 5, 2021

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/podcasts-webinars/episode-63

"Ebbs and Flows"

In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss the ebbs and flows of this pandemic, the latest Delta-driven activity, breakthrough cases, and considerations for effective respiratory protection.

According to Dr. Osterholm……

COVID, DELTA VARIANT, IS SURGING IN THE U.S. THE SURGE WILL LAST THROUGH SEPTEMBER AND THEN WILL RESOLVE. WE IT SURGES AND THEN RESOLVES IS UNKNOWN, BUT THAT IS THE PATTERN WE HAVE SEEN AND THE PATTERN WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE.
MASKS OF THE KNN95 AND N95 VARIETY CAN BE HELPFUL. CLOTH MASKS AND SURGICAL MASKS ARE CURRENTLY NOT EFFECTIVE WITH DELTA VARIANT
90% OF COVID INFECTIONS IN THE US ARE DELTA VARIANT
THE VACCINE WORKS AGAINST DELTA VARIANT AND IS PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST SERIOUS ILLNESS AND HOSPITALIZATION.

Know that unvaccinated remain a source of potential infection. Avoiding unvaccinated persons will substantially 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/

Too Much Zucchini Is Never Enough!

How To Use Up Summer Squash In So Many Ways

The cry goes out from over-ambitious gardeners every summer: “What can I do with all this zucchini?” If you’ve ever been such a gardener, or the unwitting recipient of a surprise stack of squash on your front stoop, you can understand.

It might seem like zucchini is nothing to get excited about. But its strength is a chameleon-like ability to blend seamlessly into many dishes. There’s so much more to do with zucchini and the entire family of summer squash than baking up endless loaves of zucchini bread and muffins.

Zucchini and its ilk are the little black dresses – make that little green dresses – of summer vegetables. You can show off squash as the star of the meal or hide it away in a stew or a cake. It’s as easy to eat and easy to love as it is to grow.

Zucchini is a powerhouse of vitamins and nutrients, according to Michelle Dudash, registered dietitian, chef and author of “The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook: Quick and Easy High-Protein, Low-Sugar, Healthy-Fat Recipes for Lifelong Health.” It’s a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and B6.

“Like most vegetables, zucchini is low-carb and cholesterol-free and low in total and saturated fat,” she added in an email. “Additionally, zucchini contains carotenoids like lutein, which helps support skin health by providing a level of protection from the sun (but still wear your sunscreen).”

Whether you’re eating batons of zucchini, scalloped pattypans or curvy crooknecks, all varieties of summer squash are similar in nutritional value. However, Dudash notes that yellow squash contains a lot more seeds than zucchini, giving it a slightly higher fiber content.

Read more here. . . .

Summer Zucchini and Tomato Panzanella Salad

Ingredients

2 zucchini, washed, sliced lengthwise (about 6 slices from each)
Juice of 2 lemons
Salt
1 cup cubed day-old bread
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/2 bunch fresh oregano, chopped
1/2 bunch fresh mint, chopped
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
Freshly ground pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, washed, sliced in half
8 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade, plus more for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Divide the zucchini slices evenly among 4 flat plates, overlapping each slice just slightly, like shingles. Brush with the lemon juice and season with salt. Let sit for 5 minutes to marinate and wilt.
Meanwhile, toss the bread cubes with 1 tablespoon of the oil, the oregano, mint and some salt. Toast on a baking sheet in the oven until slightly golden, 10 to 12 minutes.
For the vinaigrette, simply combine the red wine vinegar with the remaining oil and the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
Toss the cherry tomatoes with the bread and about 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette. Let sit until the croutons start to soften, 5 minutes, then toss in the basil. Divide the tomato panzanella salad on top of the zucchini and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and more basil. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette on the side.

Recipe courtesy of Amanda Freitag

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 Tuesday, July 27, 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.

How To Watch the Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony: Start time, live stream,

TV channel, date, schedule

CLICK HERE

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:

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!

‘My Life as a Zucchini’: How a Swiss Stop-Motion Animated Film Became a Major Awards Contender

Claude Barras' film, set in a foster care center, presents a kid's-eye view of the world — but the director refuses to patronize his pint-size protagonists.

No, it’s not about a vegetable. My Life as a Zucchini (Ma vie de Courgette) actually is a stop-motion animated film about a boy who moves into a foster facility after the sudden death of his mother. This Switzerland-France co-production is hoping to stake a claim in the animated film category at the Golden Globes and at the Oscars, and it also is Switzerland’s official submission for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ best foreign-language film.

With a rare 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, it has started to collect accolades, including both the grand prize and the audience award at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Based on Gilles Paris’ Autobiography of a Courgette, which noted screenwriter Celine Sciamma (writer-director of Girlhood and Tomboy) adapted, the film is the debut feature from Swiss director Claude Barras, who describes it as an “homage to neglected and mistreated children who do the best they can to survive and live with their wounds. Zucchini, our hero, has been through many difficult times and, after having lost his mother, he believes he is alone in the world.”

At a foster care center, though, he finds a new group of friends he can rely on. Explains Barras, movies often portray orphanages as “dark and depressing. I wanted to show an orphanage that protects kids rather than abuses them.”