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Dr. K discusses the current rise in COVID cases, the related risks for aging adults, what to know about the newest Omicron variants, and the most effective ways to take sensible precautions.
She covers:
- Where we are at with COVID now, and the impact on aging adults
- About the Omicron variants BA.2 and BA.2.12.1
- What’s changed (& hasn’t) with COVID
- The latest on COVID vaccine efficacy during Omicron
- What to know about first and second boosters
- The latest on how COVID is being transmitted
- What to do for masking to be effective
- Ventilation & checking CO2 levels
- Does rapid testing still work?
- What to know if you catch COVID
- Whether to mask on airplanes & answers to other FAQs
- Her top recommendations for taking reasonable precautions right now
Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8. This is an affiliate link, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, at no extra cost to you.
Related Episodes:
127 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (2.24.22 Edition)
Related Resources:
- BHWA:
- To track COVID data:
- CDC:
- FDA: Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
- For masking, ventilation COVID transmission information:
- From medical journals and research groups:
- SARS-CoV-2 transmission on planes, by “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina, PhD
- UK Health Security Agency COVID-19 vaccine weekly surveillance reports
- Efficacy of a Fourth Dose of Covid-19 mRNA Vaccine against Omicron (NEJM 3/16/22)
- Protection by a Fourth Dose of BNT162b2 against Omicron in Israel (NEJM 4/5/22)
- From news and other media:
- Another rare virus puzzle: They got sick, got treated, got covid again (WaPo 4/27/22, about Paxlovid relapses)
- If you’ve had omicron before, are you safe from infection by the new variants? (NPR 5/4/22)
- Twitter sources that helped with this update:
- Dr. Eric Topol (good for all kinds of COVID data and info)
- Graphic for PCR and rapid tests here
- Dr. Bob Wachter (good for SF data and thinking through risk for 60 year olds)
- Good thread on whether it’s currently worth trying to avoid COVID here
- Dr. Eric Topol (good for all kinds of COVID data and info)
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Robert Sheldon says
I am disappointed that there was no discussion of thearaputics. You say vaccines do not stop you from getting covid, and masks will not stop you from getting covid and to watch your airspace. I agree. They lessen the chances and lessen the severity possibly. You seem to follow the scientific government crowd. I am sorry that you didn’t even mention supplements or anything else that has been proven to stop or lessen the symptoms as well. The $ went to vaccines/pharmaceutical companies and anyone who attempted to come up with a less expensive cure was shut down. Doctors who have spoken about this have lost their jobs in the pursuit of healing people. Other doctors have decided to keep their jobs.
I used to listen to you with great confidence but now I question your opinion. Sorry that is so.
Jennie Hauser says
I would prefer to read information. Can you make available transcripts of podcasts and YouTube videos?
Nicole Didyk, MD says
Thanks so much for your comment!
I wish we had the resources to provide a full transcript for all of the videos, but right now, it’s not something that we can offer every time. If you watch the video on YouTube, there are subtitles which are helpful if hearing is an issue.
Thanks again for your feedback and I hope we’ll b able to have more written material soon.