Well, I was supposed to be out of the office for the first part of this week, yes, to South Dakota for pheasant hunting. But, for the third year in a row, Covid cancelled my trip.

My hunting buddy is one of my very closest friends from medical school. After dodging Covid for 2 1/2 years, despite masking, avoiding risky situations, and four vaccines, he got it. He will make a fine recovery and he will follow the same advice I have given to those of you who have needed it. Covid-Omicron is generally a mild, yet very contagious, 3-to-5-day annoying adventure.

Of course, in the heat of the moment, when I learned this on Saturday, I had a whole host of emotions. After the initial disappointment, I thought to myself, just take it in stride. That's life. You take some deep breaths and move on. Be grateful for what you have. To relax, after putting it all in perspective, I listened to Earth, Wind & Fire's Fantasy. Take a listen, it's hard not to enjoy this song. I saw a comment online referring to the lyrics:

"Fantasies are more than substitutes for unpleasant reality; they are also dress rehearsals for plans.  All acts performed in the world begin in the imagination."

Fantasies are more than substitutes for unpleasant reality; they are also dress rehearsals for plans. 

All acts performed in the world begin in the imagination."

COVID Update:

• In Howard County, our 7-day average is starting to rise again slightly, 10/100,000.

• ·Here is a link to the Howard County Health Department Dashboard.

• ·Nationally, there are approximately 50,000 new cases and still 300-400 deaths per day (generally unvaccinated older people).

COVID Vaccine Update: 

• I have not changed my opinion to hold off getting the bivalent mRNA booster for most people. If you are someone who needs to be aggressively protected, then maybe the current booster is indicated for you. I am happy to discuss if it is right for you.

• If you have recently had Covid, it was Omicron, and you probably have at least 6 to 12 weeks of hybrid immunity, perhaps even longer.

• There is still a consensus of scientific opinion that the original mRNA series and subsequent mRNA boosters are responsible for reducing hospitalizations and deaths.

• The Florida Department of Health has warned men ages 18 to 39 not to take mRNA vaccines due to increased cardiac risk.

• It is really hard to go against the group-think, but that is what Dr. Assem Malhotra is doing; he is an outspoken cardiologist in the UK. He recently published this article in a reputable, evidence-based, peer-reviewed journal; he wants to have an academic debate about the efficacy, risks, and benefits of the mRNA vaccine.

• The Protein Subunit Vaccine (PSV) has been approved for primary vaccination in the US; it appears to have activity against all the variants. If this is true, I want to know why the PSV booster has not been approved by our government (FDA), and then recommended as a boosting strategy by the CDC.

• The current daily US death rate attributed to Covid infections equals one large airplane going down daily. This is just not acceptable.

As a reminder, I'm updating you periodically. I continue to enjoy writing these updates. Initially, these were only sent to my patients, however, I've been humbled to learn that, through social media, these writings have been forwarded and re-forwarded to many. This has brought me great joy to know that this simple act of sharing facts, thoughts, opinions, and hopes have touched you in some way. Hopefully I've been able to reassure you, maybe make you smile and laugh, soothe your worries, and comfort you. And maybe, just maybe, I've helped you to be in the moment!

Reach out. Stay connected. Stay home. Save lives. The power of one. Be well.

Feel free to forward this on: spread the word, not the virus.

HAO

24/7

Harry Oken, M.D.

Adjunct Professor of Medicine

University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Office 410-910-7500

Fax   410-910-2310 

Cell   443-324-0823