|
Dear Patients,
|
|
|
|
In my last COVID update, the song I used was Woodstock
by CSN&Y and
it seemed to bring back some great memories for many of you.
Music is good medicine. Recently, I was listening to a
classic rock mix (my favorite music genre) and I
heard this song (please
click now). Glory of Love just hits me; it's
actually a neurologic thing with
me. It happens sometimes at Broadway musicals: a knot in my
throat and tears in my eyes. At the right time, the right
tune, music can provoke an emotional reaction for many.
Peter Cetera, formerly of Chicago, sings this cheesy song
and yet to me, it makes me feel grateful. We are all in this
together, we are a community. If we nurture ourselves with
good nutrition, regular exercise, restorative sleep, and
control our stress, then we can take care of our family,
friends, co-workers, etc. - the people who depend on us;
this is a selfless act.
Want a good book about this? BOOM! All
proceeds go to University of Maryland COVID-19 research.
When you "stumble" on to a song you haven't heard for a
while, is it an accident? Is it by chance? Is it by fate? In
my opinion, it's probably chance, but what is not by chance
is how you decide to process it. I think it is so important
to pause and take in the scenery; you may see something that
you've never seen before and that may lead to a new
revelation in your life. This is particularly true when you
are stressed out, like maybe now? Ah, COVID misery,
contentious politics, and a mercurial economy.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Flu shot information: I recommend that
all of my patients get the quadrivalent
flu shot. This is an inactivated (not
live) safe vaccine that will immunize
you for 4 strains of the flu. It takes
10 to 14 days to get a rising
concentration of antibody, which peaks
at 5 to 8 weeks and then starts to
decline. For this reason, the best time
to get your shot is from now to the end
of October.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The numbers:
As a nation, we have COVID fatigue. Case positivity is up
and, in many states, so are hospitalizations and ICU bed
usage. We have made a big impact on fatality rates. There
are lots of controversies on how to move forward. I strongly
believe that the main thrust of what we need to do is to
target aggressive mitigation for the vulnerable people over
60, those in nursing facilities, and those who have
co-morbidities: obesity, diabetes, heart or lung disease,
those on immunosuppressive drugs. A mass lock-down will
cause more problems than it will solve. Just look at the
rates of suicides, drug use, delay of diagnosis of serious
illnesses - these have all exploded.
Maryland: All
is stable. Fatality rate inching lower to 2.85%.
Maryland Rt: Now
1.02, we want to see it persistently <1.0. If it stays
consistently lower than 1, the virus recedes. Are you doing
everything you can to protect yourself and your family?
There are no anticipated changes in recommendations in the
near term. Frequent hand washing, face masks, gatherings <10
people, preferably outdoors. If you have any respiratory
symptoms, isolate and consider testing; respiratory symptoms
are COVID-19 until proven otherwise!
|
|
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a musical note:
There are two great songs above; check them out!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a reminder, I'm
no longer sending out daily updates and instead, I'm
updating you periodically as things change. Just like
yesterday, face masks, social distancing, hand washing
and/or sanitizer whenever you need to leave your safe zone.
Stay home if you display any symptoms.
On a lighter note:
|
|
|
|
Reach out. Stay connected. Be well. Be smart.
Feel free to forward this on - spread the word, not the
virus.
HAO 24/7
Harry A. Oken, M.D.
Office: 410-910-7500, Fax: 410-910-2310, Cell: 443-324-0823
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland School
of Medicine
|
|
|
|
