Happy May, everyone! Although more gray and dreary than we might like, this month has been full of celebration: See here for our Instagram photos from Cinco de Mayo, or here for our recent participation in the 2023 Woodside May Day Parade (more on that below).
Additionally read more below from your #TeamTVD, including some advice on “neck pain” and the treatment thereof, from our friend Curtis Cramblett, a top notch physical therapist and Founder at Revolutions in Fitness.
In addition to Curtis’s piece, Dr. Jackie Phillips writes about sun protection, recommending broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30-50 to shield against UVA and UVB rays. She explains the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens, highlighting their pros and cons. Correct application is crucial, with sunscreen applied 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Dr. Phillips also suggests sun safety practices like seeking shade, wearing protective accessories, and considering high-tech clothing with a UPF rating.
Dr. Jennifer Abrams goes on to discuss the recent authorization of an additional COVID-19 vaccine booster for individuals aged 65+ and immunocompromised. Although the recommendation is less assertive, she advises considering the second booster for optimal protection. The FDA and CDC updated emergency use authorizations for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to include the booster. Data from the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report demonstrate higher protection against infection and death among booster recipients, particularly older adults. At-risk individuals are encouraged to receive the second booster for future eligibility. Read more below!
Lastly, I edited a short piece explaining mRNA vaccines’ role in preventing infectious diseases, focusing on COVID-19. mRNA vaccines utilize genetic material to trigger an immune response, offering advantages like speed and flexibility in development. They do not use live viruses, making them adaptable to emerging diseases. Interesting stuff!
Enjoy.
Eric Weiss, MD, May 19, 2023.
SAVE FUN IN THE SUN!
Reading a sunscreen label can seem like staring at alphabet soup-SPF, UVA, UVB- but what does it all mean and what actually matters?
SHOULD I GET ANOTHER BIVALENT mRNA COVID-19 VACCINE?
Individuals 65 years of age and older and those who are immunocompromised may now receive one additional bivalent booster at least 4 months following their initial bivalent booster.
ARE YOU A “PAIN IN THE NECK”? (TRENDS IN MECHANICAL NECK PAIN)
In general, neck pain is a result of trauma / injury, poor posture (sitting, standing, while we sleep, through activity), degeneration, and various diseases.
In this post, I will outline an interesting trend that relates to mechanical neck pain. Again, mechanical neck pain arises from dysfunction of muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, or joint.
WHAT ARE mRNA VACCINES (LIKE THE NEW COVID BOOSTER)?
mRNA vaccines represent a new type of vaccine technology that holds great promise for preventing a wide range of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Unlike traditional vaccines that contain inactivated or weakened forms of a virus or bacterium, mRNA vaccines use a small piece of genetic material called messenger RNA to provide cells with instructions to produce a specific protein that triggers an immune response.
#TeamTVD turned out in force (perhaps our biggest parade showing ever?) and despite the drizzle, fun was had by all, and nearly 50 pounds of clementines were handed out to the parade watchers! There are many more fun photos in this article which appeared in the May 9 edition of The Almanac, paraphrased below.
“Nothing could rain on this parade, as Woodside turned out to celebrate its 101st May Day Parade and Carnival on Saturday, May 6. This year’s theme of “All Things Music” gave participants lots of leeway in choosing their costumes.
Dr. Vicki Coe Mitchell, a longtime Woodside resident and anesthesiologist at Stanford and Sequoia hospitals, was the grand marshal, with Woodside Elementary School music teachers Beth Dameron and Kara Ireland D’Ambrosio serving as deputy marshals.
In its traditional place of honor riding on the 1942 vintage fire truck “Old White” was the Kindergarten Royal Court. D’Ambrosio directed the traditional May Pole dance led by the third grade class, which was held indoors this year, instead of at the amphitheater.The Woodside School Parent Teacher Association hosted the parade and carnival.”
Here’s to next year, when The Village Doctor celebrates TWENTY YEARS of service to our community. “Wow”.
Eric.
Again, TVD Newsletter 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…
