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COVID-19 taking toll beyond patients
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as have booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines. These are welcome developments as the COVID-19 delta variant wave continues to rip through many U.S. communities, exhausting and wearing people down.
"I cannot tell you the emotional toll this has taken on us as physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and many, many others," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group.
"One of my colleagues said, 'I walk around now and can see people with comorbidities, not wearing a mask, and I can tell you what size tracheal tube they're going to need.' We don't normally think like that, but it's illustrative of the steady 18-month drumbeat of seeing people sick and dying of something we can prevent," says Dr. Poland.
In this Mayo Clinic Q&A, Dr. Poland talks more about FDA approvals for COVID-19 vaccines, goes into detail about the COVID-19 virus replication rate and he answering a listener question about the reliability of home COVID-19 tests. Dr. Poland also explains and speaks to the importance of "cocooning" for protection, especially with newborns and toddlers.
To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.
Connect with others talking about the pandemic and supporting one another in the COVID-19 support group.
Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.
For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.
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Hello ya all.I received my phzier booster two weeks ago. Looking forward to get antibodies test.hope.all is well.
We have many friends who have not been vaccinated and have had Covid. How much “ natural “ protection do they have, how long will it last and are we safe being around them. We have had the Pfizer vaccine last Feb/March.
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1 ReactionExcellent post! Thank you.
This is new news...most have not even heard of this life saving treatment. Go to https://combatcovid.hhs.gov.......you will find a place near you, using your zip code to get this treatment. It's the mAb monoclonal therapy that saved Trump's life as well as many others...but this is now a free alternative for those that are immune compromised..have felt ill for up to 10 days and have a positive covid test. Please look into this...it's now an inj and not a long infusion. Rachel Maddow on MSNBC has been covering this..but it's not too well known for the general public yet. Stay safe out there!
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1 ReactionMayo Clinic recommends that all eligible people to get the COVID vaccine.
Stay up-to-date with the latest information and medical evidence by visiting (and revisiting) Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Guide website:
– Vaccine Guide https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine
Here is some specific information relevant to the questions asked in this discussion:
– High vaccination rate is key to future course of COVID-19 pandemic, Mayo Clinic computer modeling shows https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/high-vaccination-rate-is-key-to-future-course-of-covid-19-pandemic-mayo-clinic-computer-modeling-shows/
– Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Stopping the spiral of the COVID-19 delta variant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/podcasts/newsfeed-post/poland-3/
– COVID-19 vaccine urgency as delta variant continues to spread https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-vaccine-urgency-as-delta-variant-continues-to-spread/
What is herd immunity?
https://youtu.be/WJ9uX0k8UVg
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2 ReactionsThank you for posting this.
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1 ReactionHello @debdepies and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You may find this information on Covid antibody tests helpful:
- COVID Antibody Tests:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/covid-antibody-tests/faq-20484429
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1 ReactionI'm still thinking on it and researching.
You say, "Worse case of flu". Are you saying they caught the flu although they were vaccinated for the new virus 19? They are two different things.
@mavolyn
Not sure where you are getting that from? As I stated, "I'm still thinking on it and researching." I never said "Worse case of flu." Maybe go back to the conversations and doublecheck who you are pointing this out to?