Will FDA Full Approval Of Vaccines Convince Non-Vaxxers To Get A Shot?

A blue color poster on COVID -19 Corona Virus Disease

The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is expected to get full FDA approval next week, something that health officials are hoping will convince more non-vaxxers to get vaccinated.  However, many non-vaxxers have a wide litany of excuses as to why they refuse to get vaccinated, and I am skeptical that there will be a huge influx of new vaccinations following the approval.  According to a June poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, about 30% of non-vaccinated Americans said they would be more likely to get vaccinated when the vaccine goes from emergency use to full-approval.  And although that’s not a big number, it does remain likely that more employers, both public and private, may require workers to get vaccinated.  Only 60% of Americans that are eligible to be vaccinated have actually gotten one.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-poised-to-give-full-approval-of-pfizer-vaccine-next-week-11629498450?mod=djemwhatsnews

COVID Impact On The Brain May Last Forever

As many as 1 in 3 COVID-19 survivors experience a mental health or neurological disorder within six months of the coronavirus infection, according to a major large-scale study reported in The Lancet Psychiatry.  About 34% of those study had been diagnosed with a neurological or mental health disorder following their bout with COVID.  For nearly 13% of these patients, it was the first time they had received such a diagnosis.  Unfortunately, the symptoms have not gone away for many and may be permanent (AARP Bulletin May 21, P6).

Dr. Fauci Says COVID-19 Vaccines Might Be Fully Approved By Month End

Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that he believes that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could give full approval for COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the month.  This could spur some non-vaccine people more amenable to getting vaccinated, slowing down the rapidly growing rate of infection.    Fauci also warned in his “Meet the Press” interview that although the delta variant is troublesome, a new variant may emerge which would make the pandemic even more problematic and longer lived.  It could also cause more businesses to decide to require employees to get vaccinated or find another job. There are now more than 44K Americans in the hospital with COVID-19, up 30% from just a week ago, according to Johns Hopkins University.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/08/08/us-infections-100-k-cdc-florida-joe-biden/5524511001/

Salinas, CA Tips For Warding Off Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease

A microscopic look at Alzheimer’s Disease

Everyone wants to keep their brains working in full order as long as possible, and the key can be healthy living, getting the proper amount of exercise and social interaction.  The latter is easier said than done given the massive spreading of coronavirus.  Although board games can be fun, with COVID-19 many seniors are turning to video games.  According to an AARP survey, 44% of adults over the age of 50 played video games in 2019 versus 38% in 2016.  That’s 10 million more older gamers!  About a quarter of gamers play multiuser games, which can increase social interaction which will hopefully ward off early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are great people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

Face Masks Are Getting A High Tech Upgrade : By Derek Baine

A man covering his mouth and nose with N95 Mask

Although those of us that are vaccinated are no longer required to wear a mask in California in most places, the medical community is working on a high-tech upgrade to masks to cope with `diagnostics, sensors and even the ability to kill viruses.  Although they have yet to be approved by the Food & Drug Administration or FDA, different models are being developed for the medical community and to be marketed to individuals.  Michael Strano, a professor of chemical engineering at MIT, has developed a mask that actually kills the virus.  “Filtering has its place, but so does just destroying the virus,” said Professor Strano.  It also comes with a thermoelectric cooler that ensures hot air that you are breathing in is comfortable.  “You actually breathe medically sterilized air,” said Stano.  The masks are reusable and will cost just a few dollars more than typical masks.  What great progress we are making on the mask front.  I hope to not be wearing one anytime soon, but it’s nice to know that the next pandemic will go more smoothly than this one.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/high-tech-face-masks-aim-to-step-up-the-fight-against-covid-19-11616846402

COVID-19 Pandemic Has Marketers Chasing Seniors Staying At Home : By Derek Baine

Retired baby boomers are at a high risk of COVID-19, and marketers are using this as an opportunity to market more to older people who want to stay at home.  Companies like Nestle SA, Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Danone SA are launching new products aimed at consumers who are increasingly saying they are interested in aging well, but staying at home.  “We clearly see healthy aging, even more now with the COVID world, as a huge trend,” Danone CEO Emmanuel Faber said.  The Activia yogurt maker recently launched a whey-protein product that they say aids muscles, joints and bones.  Nestle launched a powdered milk aimed at older adults that it claims enhances mobility.  Increasingly, the company has shifted its focus from making food and drink to aid the recovery of people in hospitals to helping people from being admitted in the first place.  What a great mission.

Monterey, CA Don’t Let COVID-19 Prevent You From Regular Skin Cancer Checkups : By Derek Baine

Monterey, CA  Don’t Let COVID-19 Prevent You From Regular Skin Cancer Checkups

Coronavirus may be keeping you from going to the doctor as much as you need to.  However, telemedicine makes it easy to see a doctor.  Even dermatologists are now available via videoconference.  A company called DermTech is transforming telemedicine to detect skin cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma has a 99% five-year survival rate if caught early.  However, this survival rate drops to 65% if it has spread locally and 25% if spread distantly.  If you are looking for a great local dermatologist, I recommend Joe Rheim.  Give him a call at 931-373-4404.  For more information, go to https://dermtech.com/

https://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com/skin-health/understanding-preventing-and-identifying-skin-cancer-this-winter/

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver : By Derek Baine

There were only four new cases over the last four days reported in Monterey County and two more deaths.  People who have been vaccinated are free to wear masks in public, which makes a huge difference in attitude and spending practices.  In fact, today the Federal Reserve Bank announced that they plan on initiating two interest rate hikes next year to stave off inflation.  The economy appears to be rebounding but many businesses are still having a difficult time finding workers due to the $300/week unemployment kicker the Federal Government has authorized.  Nationwide, we are up to 33.457 million cases and sadly we passed the threshold of over 600K deaths, while in California cases are up to 3.804 million and deaths have surpassed 63,000.

Monterey, CA Don’t Let COVID-19 Prevent You From Regular Skin Cancer Checkups : By Derek Baine

Coronavirus may be keeping you from going to the doctor as much as you need to.  However, telemedicine makes it easy to see a doctor.  Even dermatologists are now available via videoconference.  A company called DermTech is transforming telemedicine to detect skin cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma has a 99% five-year survival rate if caught early.  However, this survival rate drops to 65% if it has spread locally and 25% if spread distantly.  If you are looking for a great local dermatologist, I recommend Joe Rheim.  Give him a call at 931-373-4404.  For more information, go to https://dermtech.com/

Understanding, Preventing, and Identifying Skin Cancer This Winter

COVID Impact On The Brain May Last Forever : By Derek Baine

We have written repeatedly on our blog about the importance of proper nutrition, social interaction and exercise is key to keeping the mind and body healthy for seniors.  A new study from Arizona State University Edison College of Nursing and Health Innovation had participants either ride a stationary bike or do stretching exercise for six months.  Those who took part in the regular exercise program had significantly less memory loss than those who don’t follow a particular exercise regimen.  The results were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease.

Monterey