“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
Henry Ford
“Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it. No destructive lies. No ridiculous fears. No debilitating anger.”
Bill Bradley
The most important things to me are my family, my staff and my patients. This is why I have taken it upon myself to report and educate everyone as to what the true facts are about COVID- 19. In part to educate all of you as to what the true facts are in light of some of the controversial and confusing information that has been reported in media since this pandemic started.
I have gotten ideas for these Newsletters over this past year from questions patients have asked while in the office and questions I had myself regarding this devastating pandemic. The response to the Weekly Newsletter has being resoundingly positive and for that I am grateful.
OFFICE UPDATE: Everyone in our office has received their second dose of Moderna. You need three days to bounce back from the second dose because it does make you feel a little punky but it beats spending time in the hospital. Moderna as well as Pfizer vaccine give you 85% protection after the first dose and 100% protection after the second dose. It is important to receive the second dose within the time frame outlined for Pfizer (21 Days) and Moderna (28 days).
A patient shared this article with me and I thought it was appropriate to share with everyone. I feel it adequately summarizes the basics and what we know at this point in the pandemic. With knowledge there is power. With knowledge there is less paranoia. With knowledge we can overcome this pandemic together.
Understanding the fundamentals of COVID-19 From JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL
* This virus is not a living organism. It is a protein molecule (RNA or DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular (eyes), nasal (nose) or buccal mucosa (mouth), changes its genetic code (mutates) and converts into aggressor and multiplier cells.
* Since the virus is not a living organism but is a protein molecule, it cannot be killed.
It has to decay on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.
* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat, and that is the reason why soap or detergent is the best weapon. The foam CUTS THE FAT (that is why you have to scrub for 20 seconds or more to create lots of foam). By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down.
* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is necessary to use water above 77 degrees for hand washing, laundry and cleaning surfaces. In addition, hot water makes more foam, making it more effective.
* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ALL FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
* Any solution with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaking it down from the inside.
* Oxygenated water increases the effectiveness of soap, alcohol, and chlorine because peroxide dissolves the virus protein. However, because you have to use it in its pure form, it can damage your skin.
* NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC WILL WORK because the virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.
* The virus molecules remain very stable at colder temperatures, including air conditioning in houses and cars. They also need moisture and darkness to stay stable. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade the virus faster.
* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain the virus breaks down the protein. Be careful. It also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.
* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.
* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is only 40% alcohol, and you need a minimum of 65%.
* LISTERINE is 65% alcohol.
* The more confined the space, the higher the concentration of the virus there can be—the more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
* You have to wash your hands before and after touching any commonly used surfaces such as mucosa (mouth area), food, locks, knobs, switches, remotes, cell phones, watches, computers, desks etc... and don’t forget when you use the bathroom.
* You have to MOISTURIZE YOUR HANDS due to frequent washing. Dry hands have cracks, and the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better
* Also, keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.
COVID-19 and pregnancy has made the news this week. So, what are the facts and what do we know.
According to the Harvard Medical School in their health blog they report the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine agree that the new mRNA COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to pregnant and breastfeeding individuals who are eligible for vaccination.
They report these organizations suggest those who are pregnant are at higher risk for being hospitalized in an intensive care unit and requiring a high level of care, including breathing support on a machine, and are at higher risk for dying if this happens.
The Research suggests that having COVID-19 might increase risk for premature birth, particularly for those with severe illness. So far, studies have not identified any birth defects associated with COVID-19. And while transmission of the virus from mother to baby during pregnancy is possible, it appears to be a rare event.
Safety of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) in women who are pregnant?
· The mRNA vaccines do not contain any virus particles.
· Within hours or days our bodies eliminate mRNA particles used in the vaccine, so these particles are unlikely to reach or cross the placenta.
· The immunity that a pregnant individual generates from vaccination can cross the placenta, and may help to keep the baby safe after birth.
What to consider about COVID-19 vaccines if you’re pregnant
Assuming the mRNA vaccine is available to you during your pregnancy, you have several options to discuss with your health care provider.
Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to you. You might decide to do this if you have additional risk factors for severe complications from COVID-19 (such as high blood pressure or obesity), and/or multiple potential exposures to COVID-19 from your work, your family, or your community.
Wait until after you give birth to get the vaccine. You might choose to do this if pregnancy is your only risk factor for severe disease, and you are able to control your exposures by limiting interactions with people outside of your household and using protective measures (mask-wearing, handwashing, and physical distancing).
Consider ways to modify your exposures to COVID-19 and possibly defer getting the vaccine. Most people have some risk factors and some uncontrolled exposures. If this describes you, you still have options. You may decide to modify your exposures if possible and defer vaccination until the second trimester, when the natural risk of miscarriage is lower. Or you may choose to delay vaccination until after the baby is born.
Wait for a traditional vaccine similar to the flu shot or Tdap vaccines. These vaccines are in development but are not yet approved in the US. Experts know much more about using these types of vaccines in people who are pregnant. However, depending on your exposures to COVID-19 and your risk for getting seriously ill if you get infected, it may be wisest to have an mRNA vaccine.
If you are considering deferring the vaccine, ask whether vaccination will be available to you at a later date. The answer may vary depending on supplies of the COVID vaccines and vaccination programs where you live.
One more note about timing: The flu shot and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccines are routinely recommended during pregnancy. If you choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy or the postpartum period, the CDC recommends scheduling it at least 14 days before or 14 days after any other vaccination. Talk to your obstetric provider about the best timing for the COVID-19 vaccine.
What to consider about COVID-19 vaccines if you’re breastfeeding
Experts, including the WHO, believe it is most likely safe to get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine if you’re breastfeeding. Although breastfeeding people were not included in the vaccine trials, the mechanism of mRNA vaccines and experience from other vaccines suggest this is true.
It is important to know: There is no virus in the mRNA vaccines. You cannot get COVID, or give your baby COVID, by being vaccinated. The components of the vaccine are not known to harm breastfed infants.
When you receive the vaccine, the small mRNA vaccine particles are used up by your muscle cells at the injection site and thus are unlikely to get into breast milk. Any small mRNA particles that reach the breast milk would likely be digested.
When a person gets vaccinated while breastfeeding, their immune system develops antibodies that protect against COVID-19. These antibodies can be passed through breast milk to the baby. Newborns of vaccinated mothers who breastfeed can benefit from these antibodies against COVID-19.
There is no medical or scientific evidence that we should fear the COVID-19 vaccine. We should all avail ourselves to the vaccine as soon as we can so that we can develop herd immunity. We need 85% of the population to be vaccinated (Fauci) to achieve this goal. The sooner we get to this goal the sooner we can put COVID-19 in the rear-view mirror.
Until next time. Stay Safe, Stay Well, Stay Distant, Avoid Crowds and Wear Your Mask.
James A Vito, D.M.D.