I’ve been fully vaccinated. Can I be a carrier to someone who is not vaccinated by being around people who refuse to get vaccinated and have Covid?

@chyna – You’re safe girl :

https://api.nationalgeographic.com/distribution/public/amp/science/article/yes-vaccines-block-most-transmission-of-covid-19

@JLoon Is correct.

I got my second Moderna shot last week. Should I still be mask wearing until it’s been two weeks past?

@anniereborn Yes.

How is the situation in the US right now, now that vaccination is a thing? Does it help with anything? I haven’t heard about the US in the news for a while so just wondering how everyone is holding out.

Yes on getting the vaccine.

US is improving. Cases are dropping and hospitalizations are leveling off at a low rumble. We have 2 in our hospital, one who has been there for 2 months and has had an extremely slow rehab and another who refused the vaccine and will likely die. But it’s way better than the 30 cases we had in January.

Looking to fly from Boston to Nashville in about a month. We are all fully vaccinated and wear our masks. Any travel tips or precautions?

Before Covid what was the recommendations for hand washing at home? Also will that change permanently?

How concerned should be over the situation in India given the current death rate seems to be vastly under reported by a factor of 10–20? (Official figures 5000 a day , figures from journalists investigating hospitals and morgues 60–100,000 a day)

How are you holding up after such a devastating year, @Caravanfan ?

Any news on variants in the US causing problems for the fully vaxxed?
Thank you for doing these Q’s, very thoughtful.

I fully agree. There has been an upsurge of cases of the Indian variant in Bolton in the UK. The vast majority of people being hospitalised were offered the vaccine but chose not to take it. Some of them will not survive. The vaccines are effective at keeping you out of hospital – you’d be foolish not to take it.

@RedDeerGuy1 I would keep the hand washing routine up and the surface cleaning in the kitchen and bathroom, minus the freaking out if you miss or forget once (speaking for myself here). Good handwashing habits when you get home from doing anything outside or at another a shopping centre is a good habit to have. Just, when you get home, before you go around touching everything, go to the sink and wash with soap and water to the song of your choice. I mix it up with either Happy Birthday (in what ever language) or an alphabet song.

@cookieman Keep your mask on, get hand sanitzer and sanitize everything, alcohol wipes for the tray tables, and consider not eating anything they give you

@RedDeerGuy1 Wash your hands as normal

@Lightlyseared Very, although I’m hoping the vaccine will work for them.

@janbb I’m doing much better, thanks.

@KNOWITALL As far as I can tell, the vaccine will protect against the variants.

@Caravanfan Okay, I was just curious as my vaxx clinic said we’ll all need boosters by the end of the year, so I wasn’t sure if that was about the variants or something different.

@KNOWITALL I’ve heard that as well. AFAIK it has more to do with the nature of vaccine, any vaccine. It’s not because of the variants.

I’m not a medical expert,
so I’m asking the doc (@Caravanfan) to confirm or correct my statement.

@Strauss Sure. I just hope it’s through our regular doc instead of another ‘event’, either way.

Good question. I’m looking for that answer, too.

I just want to thank you for doing these threads and putting up with us. Your experience and insight has been appreciated.

^^ Agreed!!

@everybody
Literally nobody knows right now about the booster issue.

I got J&J. I’m still wearing a mask going to indoor public places. Still not eating in restaurants. Doing takeout regularly, though.

@KNOWITALL I just hope it’s through our regular doc

I talked to my PCP last month and he seemed to think it’s eventually gonna be a regular vaccination booster that you can get at your own health pro or at a pharmacy.

I see there was a comment moderated about someone hesitant to get the vaccine because they already had COVID. (There was more in that post, but I will refrain).

I want to be absolutely 100% crystal clear: And I’m going to write it in all caps so people will see it. I am also yelling.

YOU NEED A COVID VACCINE.
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU HAD COVID.

Period.

Jeez, why does it have to be a matter whether it’s too late/early to be vaccinated? The vaccine is good for you, period.

Thank you again @Caravanfan for all you do sir.

@Mimishu1995 Are people in your country getting them?

@KNOWITALL Only the people who are of the “high-risk” category like doctors.

@Mimishu1995 Interesting!

What are your thoughts on traveling outside of the US to, say Aruba?

@cookieman If it were me I would only go if the population on the other side was mostly vaccinated.

Thank you.

What it the name of the Covid variant that starts with the letter “d”.

I just heard it on CNN the “Delta” variant.

@RedDeerGuy1 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html

Some of you may be interested to know my anti-vaxxer friend just told me the whole family currently has Covid. Including two children under ten years old.

I have no idea what to say so I just said I hope you feel better soon.

That’s sad to hear. I hope no one is tempted to gloat. At the same time, I do wonder if this changes her views on vaccinations any.

@kneesox No gloating here, the baby is three and has the fever. So scary. The 9 year old has a mild case, mom and daughter got the bad version.

After she’s better I’ll ask her if her opiniin changed but knowing her religious objection, she’ll say it wasn’t bad and now has antibodies. Essentially ‘oh well.’

Oh, @KNOWITALL, that is awful. I personally don’t know anyone that would gloat about that.

Would it happen to be the case, not only that they didn’t vax but also that they didn’t mask and also hung out with others who were likewise exposed?

@kneesox Absolutely never seen them in a mask for the entire pandemic.
Her best friend tested positive and called since they hung out Friday night.

Well, her friend believed in the fact of the virus enough to get a test. I guess that’s something.

@kneesox Yes she does love the kids. I was so afraid this would happen but they are so sure its a non-issue. She is posting it on facebook so maybe the others will take heed.

I know two people that have recently been diagnosed with fluid around the heart. Both were told it was caused by Covid. Both did have Covid. Is this something that seems to be prevalent right now?
Also, on a regular news station last night they did a segment on a woman that had blood clots caused by Covid. She never had Covid. How can that happen?

Pericardial effusions are an uncommon complication of Covid
In terms of the blood clots, they are pretty common. They can be caused by Covid, but are often not covid related.

^^Thanx, doc!

Mom had blood clots before Covid. I will forever be grateful for the vaccine because she is feeling great and healthy now.
Without the vaccine I don’t think she’d have survived, with her health issues.

@KNOWITALL – I’m glad she had enough confidence in medical science to get the vaccine.

@RocketGuy Of course she did. @KNOWITALL is her daughter.

@Caravanfan I had her ask her doctor due to her existing medical issues. But thanks for the vote of confidence. :)

Everyone here is sick, no 4th of July for a second year for my family. Nurses are quitting and depressed, Covid units are full and they’re diverting to St Louis or Kansas City. It’s not good and will only be worse after the holiday. Sigh….

@knowitall Is it the new strain going around or the original?

@chyna Both, unchecked and spreading like wildfire. Mom got the original strain.

32% symptomatic pos rate. 4 pediatric inpatients yesterday from a few weeks old to 18 months.
The CEO of a local hospital is going off on social media.
“If you are making wildly disparaging comments about the vaccine, and have no public health expertise, you may be responsible for someone’s death. Shut up.”

@KNOWITALL Wow – that is tragic.

@janbb It’s going to be more tragic as all these burnt out nurses keep quitting and another surge post 4th of July.
Many of my cousins work at the hospital and the strain after all this time is taking it’s toll.

@KNOWITALL That is horrible! What state are you in?

@anniereborn Missouri. The worst thing that happened was making this a political.

(Not so….) Fun fact: 9/10 states with lowest vaccination rate voted for Trump.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/states-ranked-by-percentage-of-population-vaccinated-march-15.html

@KNOWITALL – Repubs made it an issue of personal control, if only to keep control over their constituents.

@RocketGuy Well they have freedom to die then, because that’s what’s happening here. After 4th of July be watching the news, its gping to explode in these low-vaxx states like mine.

Some really think the shots do no good. I explained it to two people just today on my Facebook post.

@KNOWITALL Show them the graph on this page
https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/overview

Scroll down to the graph “Number of new cases per 100,000 residents”. The top blue line is nonvaccinated. The bottom green line is vaccinated.

@Caravanfan

I found a graph labeled “Number of New Cases per Day per 100,000 Residents”.
Is that the one you’re referring to?

@caravan Done.

My friend in Texas said it’s really bad there, too.

@Brian1946 Yes. You can see the difference in vaccination rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated cases

I don’t have any question right now, but I have something to share: right now the government is raising fund to buy vaccines from other countries like America. America and Europe are suddenly a great example of how people successfully combat the virus with vaccines.

What’s ironic is that I still remember a short TV segment mocking America and Europe from a year ago. The segment was about how Christmas took place in those places. It showed how frustrated people were having to stay at home at Christmas. They even had an “interview” with Santa complaining about how he had to stay inside and couldn’t deliver presents to children. The segment was immediately follow by a praise on how good my country was doing in the face of the pandemic.

Don’t get me wrong. I think my country is doing their best and is successful in a lot of aspect. It’s just that I find it funny how quickly people forgot the time they mocked a place that soon learned their lesson and how hard they backtrack.

@Mimishu1995 I think that Vietnam did a superb job of keeping deaths to a minimum. I’m glad they want the vaccine.

@Hawaii_Jake yeah, I think my country did a really good job. That is the reason why I still haven’t contracted Covid or known of anyone with Covid yet. The TV segment is just something I’m not very pleased about.

Just an update. We are being overrun in Missouri with 97% unvaccinated in hospital population. Over 300 cases a day.
The rest of us are just staying in and masked. Pretty crazy.

@KNOWITALL So upsetting! I feel for you.

And we thought it would be almost over by now. Stay safe @KNOWITALL.

Yes, hospitalizations are going up exponentially here too.

@Caravanfan I’m planning to come to Cal next week, visiting in South San Fran, Contra Costa, Nevada City and Berkeley. Do you think it’s ok to come or should I postpone?

@janbb I think it’s fine. Just wear a mask inside in public places. I live in Contra Costa and I’d meet you somewhere but I’m out of town myself next week. We’re nowhere near as bad as Missouri and @KNOWITALL. Our hospital actually is fine now. We only have one Covid ICU patient right now.

@Caravanfan Great, thanks! I’ve been getting worried.

Health emergency declared yesterday, too.

@chyna A year and a half at home now. No I thought our people cared more about eachother than this. Very disappointing.

@KNOWITALL – instead of biting the bullet and taking the (miniscule) risk of a vaccination, many opted to accept the (higher) risk of getting Covid. Some were selfishly hoping enough people would take the risk and get vaccinated, so that they could piggyback into herd immunity at no additional risk to themselves.

@RocketGuy Yes, they do believe in herd immunity far more than doctors, at least the hold-outs. This is a rugged rural area and we don’t just run to the doctor so I understand the mindset, but it’s past time to take it seriously.
I’m really worried about my friends and family who refuse the vaccine, but hoping now that the church leaders are encouraging it, we’ll get more takers. They did say that we’ve had more vaccinations over the last two weeks than before, so improvement.

They need to understand that they are helping THEIR community build herd immunity by vaccinating.

@RocketGuy Here’s some of the radical comments on our Health Dept comment section regarding the vaccine myths. Hard to see light at the tunnel with people like this. And we are doing better than several other states, believe it or not.

Here’s a few of the radical comments:
The word safe means no harm. And the vaccine does cause harm too thousands of people.

I am vaccinated. I want to get my 13 year old daughter vaccinated but I’m DOING MY OWN RESEARCH, I am worried by the fact that there has been a lot of research and work done with mRNA vaccines for flu, rabies, and Zika yet none of those have been approved after YEARS of reasearch. I know some of the studies I read mentioned that the side effects were NOT insignificant involving autoimmune responses and cardiovascular effects. I need a credible source to explain to me how the COVID vaccine could be so rapidly created when these others have yet to be successful. I really do want to understand. I can deal with the risk for myself. Little to no problem with that. I need more assurances for my child. And please, I’m aware that it’s a risk EITHER way.

yeah what about all the people who died taking your “safe” and “effective” shot. also it never got FDA approved. and that we don’t need it at all because we have a 99.7% chance of living through it. so don’t treat us like lepers just because we don’t want to die. quit trying to shame us for not following your poor judgement. remember it’s WE THE PEOPLE not us the government.

Serious question: We are on pace to allow 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 illegal immigrants to violate our borders this year. They are being allowed to enter the interior and the government is relocating them by the busload and plane loads to state after state. Even when they are identified as having COVID, the government does not detain them for that reason. They are likely mostly unvaccinated. What is the health department’s position on this? Where is Dr. Fauci’s guidance on it? The CDC’s? The Biden administration’s? Why are these officials screaming at citizens to get vaccinated, but are silent on this issue?

Who ever told you the vaccine was 100% safe? I have never heard such a claim.

@RocketGuy Exactly, but see for that person, if the change of living is 99.7%, why bother. That’s what we’re up against.

0.3% of a city with 1M people = 3000 people dead (same as 9/11) and survivors often have long term health problems. Yay!

@Caravanfan How are you? How is this new variant affecting your hospital? What patients are you seeing now?

I’m traveling in a few weeks and have bought KN95 masks instead of my simple multi-layer cloth masks I use everyday around here. Do you have any suggestions? I’ll be in NYC and Massachusetts.

@Hawaii_Jake: Bring your vaccine card. NYC is requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining and events (like movies) now.

@jca2

GA & Great Advice.

Even though I haven’t needed to show mine yet, after I read your post, I double-checked to ensure that it’s still in my Medical Records folder,

@Hawaii_Jake We’re starting to get slammed again. In terms of a few weeks I have no frikking clue what things will be like. I didn’t think we’d get a surge but here we are.

@Hawaii_Jake: Massachusetts is not requiring masks state wide, but some areas (Provincetown) and individual businesses are.

It’s not yet required, like New York, but I would keep proof of vaccination with you just in case.

I am voluntarily wearing a mask in stores again just to be safe.

^I am too. I don’t want COVID to define my life, but I will be diligent in keeping it at bay. It’s a horrible way to die.

@chyna – get the vaccine. That way, if you catch Covid, you might feel like crap but will have only miniscule risk of dying a horrible death.

@RocketGuy @chyna is fully vaccinated!

^Yes, fully!

@chyna Thank you for being vaccinated!!!

How long do other mRNA vaccines last before you need a booster?

Are you noticing an uptick in your hospital(s)? Are there notable differences in your patients with the Delta variant from your earlier patients? Do you have any thoughts on vaccine boosters? How fearful are you of a mutation that renders the current set of available vaccines ineffective?

Serious question. With Delta hitting young folks so hard, but kids mostly surviving, aren’t we in real danger from more mutations that kill the kids? Especially when school starts in a month?
Thats my biggest fear, that its coming for a whole generation of the kids if we adults don’t stop it.

Are hospitals regularly giving monoclonal antibodies as part of treatment now where you are? There seems to be good data regarding it’s efficacy and antidotally my mom’s friend is a nurse and immunosupressed and when she caught covid they gave her the treatment early in the illness and her recovery was great. Is there a standard of care for the treatment now? Or, is it still only being used at some hospitals as for research?

@raum Boosters are not recommended as yet.

@gorillapaws Uptick: Yes. We had to open up a second ICU. Differences: They’re sicker. Boosters: I’m not convinced that the data show that boosters are needed yet. The vaccines are highly effective. Fearful: Very

@KNOWITALL Exactly

@JLeslie The monoclonal antibodies are given, but they data are terrible. They really don’t work well.

Do you think the Delta virus came from the time when people in India bathed in the river in mass? Just a random thought.

@Mimishu1995 No.

@Caravanfan so where do you think it came from?

@Caravanfan This time being right is terrifying. :( Hope you’re holding up ok, doc.

@Mimishu1995 It was first detected in India.

@KNOWITALL I’m really not.

@Caravanfan I’m sure, been nonstop for you hasn’t it?

We have a ton of nurses and staff walking away, they said it’s just too much for too long.
Big Hugs.

What will we do when our healthcare workers walk away?

@KNOWITALL They should draft doctors and nurses from parts of the country that are not overwhelmed and who will not get vaccinated.

@JLeslie We have them here now in Springfield, Mo. We just had a local EMS paramedic die from it. Ambulance crews needed help and get backed up so people drive others to hospital.
People bleed out in ER waiting rooms because they’re so busy.

You guys realize over half the US is back up in cases. This is not good news for any of us.

@KNOWITALL It seems like that should all be in the National news. Maybe it is, I haven’t been watching much.

I can’t imagine what it’s like For you to be aware of that day in and day out.

It’s bad in Florida too, but I think it’s worse other places.

Here’s an article about the struggle to vaccinate Springfield, Missouri:

https://www.newyorker.com/news/us-journal/the-struggle-to-vaccinate-springfield-missouri?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Daily_080621&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&bxid=5be9f2ae2ddf9c72dc8659ea&cndid=25104562&hasha=ba6c25fabec894a211ad8895ab5e384d&hashb=df9b36eeca7f21a6ac6a5be82e3d6a7ed8f51875&hashc=1a313452a073dbb544a6b97bf0ed4bcaa19087bee6d84c9f9eb6cfb8348d3726&esrc=bounceX&utm_content=B&utm_term=TNY_Daily

I suspect this is not the last Covid thread unfortunately! And I’m really sorry you are dealing with this @Caravanfan !!