Posted on 11/19/2022 7:33:25 PM PST by lightman
With this year's Thanksgiving the third since the onset of the pandemic, there are now many tools to help manage COVID-19 risk, including safe and widely available vaccines. But this coronavirus still presents a danger, especially to older people and those with chronic medical conditions. There are also other viruses circulating across the United States, including influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) that are causing some pediatric hospitals to be overwhelmed.
What are steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones against COVID-19 during Thanksgiving dinners and other gatherings over the coming holidays? Is it still important to require vaccines for attendees at such events? Does a mini-quarantine period help to reduce risk? If people are testing before gathering together, when should they test, and with what tests? And what's the best way to protect against other circulating viruses?
To help with these questions is CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, public health expert, and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is also author of "Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health."
CNN: What can people do to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and becoming severely ill when gathering over Thanksgiving and other winter holidays?
Dr. Leana Wen: The same mitigation measures we were discussing last Thanksgiving still apply.
The most important thing we can all do to reduce the likelihood of becoming severely ill is be up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine. This is particularly important for individuals who are 65 and older and adults who are immunocompromised or have other chronic medical conditions that predispose them to severe disease. Note that it takes about two weeks to reach optimal protection from the vaccine, so it's best not to wait until just before a gathering to get inoculated. And don't forget the flu vaccine, and for those eligible, the pneumonia vaccine, too. Man with high fever at home. Experts explain how to tell the difference between COVID-19 and the flu
The virus that causes COVID-19 is airborne, and good ventilation is key to reducing its spread. Gathering outdoors remains much safer than indoors. It's already getting very cold in some parts of the country, though, and we know indoor settings can be made safer by opening windows and doors, using fans and HEPA filters, and limiting capacity.
The more people attend a gathering, the higher likelihood that someone could be infected and not know it. The risk can be lowered if everyone agrees to take a COVID test the day of the gathering.
Of course, masking is a precaution that will reduce risk, though it's harder to do when attending events with food and drink. Some individuals who are particularly vulnerable and really want to avoid COVID-19 may wish to wear a high-quality N95 or equivalent mask during indoor gatherings, and only take the mask off when they are outdoors. They should also eat and drink outdoors; that way, they keep their mask on at all times while indoors around others. Youth receiving their first doses of Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine study links side effects with greater antibody response
CNN: If someone in the family is vulnerable, should everyone else mask and reduce their risk for several days before gathering — in essence, enter a "mini-quarantine"?
Wen: Some families will want to take additional precautions and essentially enter a bubble with one another over the holidays. This is a sensible thing to do if there are vulnerable family members to consider, and when it's not practical to only see them outdoors.
What I advise in this mini-quarantine period is for everyone to reduce their own exposures as much as possible. For about 5 days prior to the gathering, everyone participating in the mini-quarantine should wear a high-quality mask when going to indoor spaces like offices, schools, grocery stores and onboard buses and trains. They should not dine indoors in restaurants or gather with others not in their households. And just before the gathering, everyone should take a COVID-19 test.
This mini-quarantine plus testing doesn't guarantee that everyone in attendance will be free from the coronavirus, but it will help to reduce exposure and risk.
CNN: For those testing before gatherings, when should they test, and with what tests?
Wen: It's best to test as close to the get-together as possible. The test should definitely be taken the same day as the gathering.
In general, PCR tests are more accurate for picking up early infections compared with antigen tests. The problem is that PCR tests are much less available, especially for same-day results. A home rapid antigen test, if done just before attending an event, can be a helpful tool — with the understanding that there's still a chance someone could test negative and be carrying the coronavirus.
CNN: Last year, the prevailing advice was to require the vaccine for all attendees at holidays. Is this still important?
Wen: The primary purpose of vaccination is to reduce the likelihood of severe illness. The COVID-19 vaccines are very good at doing this, and that's the main reason we should all get vaccinated — and that those at risk remain up to date on their shots.
But people who are vaccinated can still carry COVID-19, so vaccination alone is probably not enough of a protection against infection. If you are really worried about contracting the coronavirus, you should take additional steps to protect yourself regardless of whether others you'll be gathering with are vaccinated.
CNN: The coronavirus isn't the only virus that families may be worried about. What's the best way to protect against other currently circulating viruses, like influenza and RSV?
Wen: If there are going to be vulnerable people in attendance, those who have symptoms such as a cough and runny nose should stay home. Viruses like influenza and RSV are spread primarily through droplets, so people should keep washing their hands frequently, including after touching high-contact surfaces. The other mitigation measures that help reduce the risk of COVID-19, including ventilation and masking, will also help to reduce other virus transmission. RSV By the next RSV season, the US may have its first vaccine
CNN: Many Americans have stopped coronavirus mitigation measures. Why might they want to resume them for the holidays?
Wen: The main reason is if they are getting together with a loved one who wants to continue to be cautious. Many people may not be actively avoiding COVID-19 themselves, and if they are gathering only with others who all feel this way too, that's one thing. But many people may be getting together with family who are elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Gatherings are generally planned by taking into the account the needs of the most vulnerable. There are steps we can take to reduce risk and allow for happy, in-person reunions over Thanksgiving and other upcoming holidays. Good Housekeeping
Don’t invite the jabbed.
How to protect your family against COVID-19 [mental] illness this Thanksgiving
Just say it is a BLM riot and no one will get Covid.
I just got over covid. I was vaccinated with the latest omicron vaccine. All I had was a cough ( which still lingers) and a slight runny nose. There is no way health departments can track covid, because no one is running to their doctor if they think they have covid, as we now have home test kits.
What was the worst for me ( having covid) was the feeling that I was a leper. That a minor cold is somehow terrible, and that I should isolate for 10 days. It was a minor cold! I wish people could just accept the fact that covid is going to be here forever, it has mutated i to nothingness, and to stop freaking out about it.
And stop testing for it. Right now RSV is far more concerning particularly to parents of young kids. Our Children’s hospital is so full of kids with RSV that hospitals without pediatric wards are being forced to take kids (governors decree)
The best advice to combat covid is to never get jabbed and you’ll be fine.
My wife and I got it in late July, this year.. I have stage 4 COPD. She has sugar, gout and arthritis problems. We're in our late 70's..
That being said, she had far more problems with it then I, but not what you could call "serious".
I thought that if I got the bug, I was going to be a dead duck for sure. It hardly bothered me at all, just tired and I slept a lot. And her as well, though she did go a little goofy for a while.. :)
When we go to the doctor nowadays, and complain about this or that, the first thing out of their mouth is, "The COVID caused it". What a joke.!
I would think ( as a retired Peds nurse) it would be very difficult and dangerous for adult trained nurses and hospitalists to be taking care of RSV babies. Even equipment needs would be different, and babies with RSV can go downhill very fast.
it’s mostly the older kids they are shipping to other hospitals to make room for the sick little ones. trust me no one is happy about it
Strong immune systems due to not following all the insanity of the past 2-1/2 years or so...
I can’t believe they are still pushing that vivid vaxx.
Our extended family will do exactly what we did last year: Ignore the COVID hype.
Keep your door locked you scaredy cat.
Roger that.
Hibernation is for groundhogs and grizzlies.
Bkmk re covid
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