*Information regarding COVID changes almost daily. These updates are most recent as of late-August 2020.
For many of us, the summer has been a bit of a respite from the struggle that has defined 2020 so far – otherwise known as the attempts to work, homeschool children, and juggle the near impossible, all while keeping ourselves and loved ones safe. As many parts of the country started to reopen over the summer, we may have even experienced a glimpse of what life was like pre-pandemic. I have to admit that I’ve really enjoyed the handful of outdoor dining out occasions and the first mass service our family has been to since February, also held outdoors. Letting our guards down even just slightly as the weather warmed up was par for the course, but as autumn and school lurk right around the corner, many of us have renewed concerns about how the rest of the year will play out.
I definitely don’t advocate poring over every detail and update of COVID at this point to spare our mental health, but we should be aware of the basics so we can take steps accordingly. First and foremost, many health experts believe this fall and winter could be exceptionally rough, as these are the months when flu season peaks. We now have a virus that has similar symptoms to the flu, which leaves one of two possibilities – coming down with the flu which leaves our immune system open to the possibility of COVID-19, or coming down with both viruses at once.
Flu Vaccine
Many people have feared or distrusted the flu vaccine in the past. It is not a perfect vaccine since it is produced based on flu strain predictions, and predictions about things will never be 100% accurate. It is, however, a good vaccine, and obtaining one this year is recommended by health experts as a great start to keep everyone healthy. Whatever your thoughts are concerning the flu vaccine, it is helpful to be aware that public health officials will be pushing it greatly this year and are working hard to improve access for everyone.
AstraZeneca has made a flu vaccine nasal spray this year that is indicated for patients ages 2 through 49. The first batches will be available at the end of September. A nasal spray may be a great option for many children and even adults who dislike the injection. I know it will be much easier for my own children!
COVID-19 Vaccine
Health officials claim to have a COVID-19 vaccine available by early 2021. It takes a very long time for vaccines and medications to be available to the public, because pharmaceutical companies must invest a lot of money to test the product and prove that it is both safe and effective. Operation Warp Speed (OWS) is a federal program that is removing much of the financial risk in order to get a COVID-19 vaccine to the market as quickly and safely as possible. So far, research in humans is looking good, but it is important to note that pregnant women and children are often excluded in these types of studies. Some newer COVID-19 vaccine studies do include children, but it is too early to tell the effects. When a COVID-19 vaccine does come to market, expect the first batches to be reserved for healthcare workers, those who are elderly, and/or have underlying health conditions.
COVID-19 Spreading
If you happen to talk to any parent of school-aged children these days, you are likely to get an uncertain and somewhat stress-induced response to how exactly the school year is going to play out this year. With some recent studies showing that children are able to carry viral loads of COVID-19 and subsequently spread to others, it is no wonder that both schools and parents are spending copious amounts of time and energy into making sure school is a safe place for children and staff alike. Many parents who have the option are choosing to forgo traditional school completely and either homeschool their children or participate in a remote option. Many schools are starting off completely remote.
This year has already left us with many fears and uncertainties, and the rest of it will be no different, unfortunately. Like parenting in general, do what is best for you and your family. Everyone will have a unique situation this year, and mental health needs to be weighed as well. Remember – as of right now – children have a bit tougher time getting infected with COVID-19. However, once infected, the virus can survive and replicate quite well in their nasal passageways, making spreading highly likely.
Recent FDA Approvals
The FDA has recently approved a point-of-care antigen test for COVID-19 called BinaxNOW, which is a little less sensitive than other tests, but can provide a rapid result practically in real-time. The test is similar to a home pregnancy test, in which one line means negative for COVID-19 and two lines mean positive. Results can be read in minutes off the testing card after taking a swab of the patient’s nose. It is approved for symptomatic patients who are suspected of having COVID-19 and are within 7 days of symptom onset. It is a relatively simple, inexpensive test that can be used in multiple settings, from schools to hospitals and even off-site practices. Since sensitivity is lower with this type of test, negative results may need to be confirmed with traditional testing. This appears to be the only drawback at this point.
What We Know Now – Take Home Points
The fact is that COVID-19 is a still a new virus and we don’t know the long term affects. Herpes and HIV are also viruses, but are different in the fact that they never truly resolve and can stay in the body for years causing different issues. We don’t know if COVID-19 is like this or not or if it even has any clinical significance, but we won’t know for many years. While we know a lot about COVID-19, we still need to treat it as a novel entity. People with underlying health conditions are still the most at-risk group.
Right now, internet searches on anxiety are skyrocketing as COVID-19 is still present in our lives and indefinitely changing our landscape, according to a recent Google data collection. Mental health is just as important as physical health. My personal tactic is to get my family and myself outside as much as possible while the weather still permits. We really do just about anything outside, from eating meals, to bike riding, or even just bouncing a few balls around on the tennis courts. It takes our minds away from all the screens and gets our bodies moving in the fresh air.
Right now, I think it is safe to create your own social “bubble” if you will. Surrounding yourself with people you can trust and getting some social interaction is also key. We can still do most things safely and live our lives to some degree.
As children begin to go back to school and the season starts to change again, we can only be thankful for all the resources and options we still do have. We may have to get creative about our own personal scenarios, but life is still moving and humans are made to adapt. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy start to the school year!
