TVD Friends,
Wow, what a week. There has been all of what you’ve been reading in the news. And then behind the scenes The Village Doctor has continued to try and be there for you, communicating very regularly with our colleagues, our local medical schools, San Mateo County, and the State, trying to answer your burning question: can you get me a COVID-19 vaccine? Believe me, we wish we could simply answer “yes”, but in fact the vaccine rollout has been, and continues to be, a logistical nightmare. Please see Dr. Sangani’s FAQ for this week, “How Do I Get My COVID-19 Vaccine”, and note her opening statement, “This past week has seen a rapidly changing and confusing array of COVID vaccine guidelines…unfortunately the decentralized approach to the vaccine rollout leads to many unanswered questions.” Even the questions that we get answered on one day, get changed the next. But we continue to work hard on your behalf, producing our weekly newsletter, updating our FAQ’s as best we can, and even using an “email blast” when there is a time sensitive piece of news or vaccine opportunity. To that end, we will try to keep our two important FAQ’s current, 1) How can I get tested for COVID-19, and 2) How do I get my COVID-19 vaccine. Please check back for the most recent news! In the meantime, stay safe, be well, keep an eye out for our weekly newsletter and please be encouraged to share it with your friends and family.
Eric Weiss, MD, January 20, 2021
NOTE: CV🦠News is a labor of love. If you enjoy reading this, please share widely! Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Please subscribe here.
This past week has seen a rapidly changing and confusing array of COVID vaccine guidelines.
We will as always do our best to keep you informed, unfortunately, the decentralized approach to the vaccine rollout leads to many unanswered questions.
Here’s what we know so far:
While California announced residents over the age of 65 on January 13, 2021, are now eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine, the reality is a messy chaos. Just because state officials announce eligibility, healthcare workers doing the vaccinating are not completely prepared or even have vaccines at many locations…Read more
Prerana Sangani, MD, January 18, 2021
Almost everyone should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you. There is a very short list of people who should not get the vaccine at this time.
Contraindications:
The US Center for Disease Control lists the following “contraindications” (i.e. reasons not to get the vaccine) to both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines:
- Severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) after a previous mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components
- Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components (including polyethylene glycol [PEG])
- Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to polysorbate (due to potential cross-reactive hypersensitivity with the vaccine ingredient PEG)
Jennifer Abrams, MD, January 19, 2021
- We know that the COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are quite good at preventing serious illness and milder symptomatic disease. But we don’t yet know (studies are ongoing and we will have more information soon) if the vaccines prevent asymptomatic infection. That particular endpoint wasn’t studied in the vaccine trials.
- Respiratory infections like COVID-19 gain entry to our bodies via the nose, and rapidly multiply there. If a vaccinated person were in contact with an infected person, virus particles could infect the nose mucosa of the vaccinated person and without having any symptoms, they could become silent spreaders of infection to others. Especially if they stop wearing masks and social distancing.
Sky Pittson, MD, January 20, 2021
HOPE AND GRACE
If you have made it this far, time for a reward, something to lighten your day, and acknowledge the human spirit. Find some escape, or perhaps even inspiration, in this ever-growing collection of works and perspectives gathered from around the world. Please contact me directly if you have come across something that has lifted your heart today. Dr. Eric Weiss
Diverse dolls that honour role models
Global brand, Barbie, has introduced the latest historical icon, the Maya Angelou doll, which is now available for purchase at Target.
As part of the inspiring women series, Barbie is paying tribute to Angelou’s legacy as a poet and author who frequently wrote about civil rights and racism.
“(Mattel) knows children’s early childhood experiences shape what they imagine to be possible, so it’s important that all girls not only see themselves reflected in product and content, but to also see role models who’ve come before them,” the company said in a press release.
Inspiring kindness
Lovely story. Proud father, Ravi Kahlon, shared this note on Twitter which his son received from another classmate.
His 10-year-old son befriended a new student who he saw sitting on his own at lunch.
“Proud dad moment today,” Kahlon said. “My 10-year-old son saw a new kid sitting by himself. Another friend and he decided to hang out with him over lunch. He got this lovely note at the end of the day.”
With more than 425,000 likes, it has spread a positive message to engage and inspire with kindness.
Rainbow spectacular
Have you ever seen a full rainbow?
Well, you might think you have, but did you know they are full circles.
We only see an arch because they’re partly blocked by the ground and horizon – so you have to be at a high vantage point to see it complete.
Mesmerizing. Take a look at one as a full circle here!
Again, CV🦠News is a labor of love. If you enjoy reading this, please share widely! Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Please subscribe here.
*****
Yours, in health and resilience,
Eric and the TVD MD team…
