Sunday, December 20, 2020

Covid vaccine update, new strain of Covid, and Hepatitis A outbreak

 Almost 320,000 deaths from Covid so far in the US and now there is a new mutant strain!


The number of Pfizer vaccines promised don’t seem to be arriving on schedule and many supply numbers so far are short. Some states are still waiting to receive their first shipment! So much for ‘army precision’.
As I mentioned before, do not put too much stock in getting the vaccine in the next month. Prevention methods are much more effective at this point.

Moderna will start to ship their vaccine next week, 200 million of theirs has been ordered and will be delivered over the next 3 months. That will take care of 100 million people. There are officially 328 million people in the US, so some areas will come up short! (Plus more of the ‘unofficial’ people are affected). Fortunately the Moderna vaccine does not require the deep freeze that the Pfizer vaccine does.

PLEASE NOTE: A new mutant strain of the Covid (SARS 2) virus
 has been detected in the UK.
Tests have not been done yet to determine if the strain is in the US.
Why do you care? Well, first it is said to multiply much quicker than the current strain and is therefore more contagious.
Second, no one is sure if the vaccines will be effective against it.
Third, if there is already another mutant strain what is to stop us having 4 strains by next winter?
It is very common for viruses to mutate. That is why you have to get a new flu vaccine every year and even then it contains just what the scientists best guess of what strain might be more prevalent that year. The ‘good news’ is that this new strain doesn’t seem to cause any more severe illness than the first one, the bad news is: that one is bad enough!

The price of the Pfizer vaccine in the USA costs 24% more than anywhere else in the world. No, it doesn’t have direct bearing on you getting the vaccine but it just reflects the state of the market for medicinal products in the US i.e. intentionally over priced.

The death rate continues to rise including in Maryland. Some hospitals in other states are at 270% capacity (with 100% being full!). They have patients sleeping in the corridors and waiting room.
Rethink that trip to see the family. It really can wait.

Maryland has a serious outbreak of Hepatitis A at the moment, be especially careful eating out or eating food that you did not prepare yourself. If your urine is bright yellow or your eyes yellow (jaundice) you should seek care. Generalized itching can be a sign of high bilirubin (jaundice) levels. Don't assume every fever is Covid.

I used to see three cases of shingles a year. In December so far I have seen 3 cases!
Fortunately Shingles does not kill you.
Covid is affecting us in many ways. Shingles outbreak is usually due to high levels of stress. Please remember to work on stress management techniques and take our “True Calm” herbal supplement.
Spousal abuse and drug overdoses have also increased during Covid.

Some bright news:
Just in time for Xmas all my face products are buy one get the second one half off!!! You will need to call the office for this offer as it is not available on line. The face and hair serums make great gifts and the ‘facial’ cleanser can be used by the whole family (all over the body). Your friends and family will thank you!

Please be safe and hang in there the holidays should be back to normal next year if we all do our part.



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