I’m not sure I will ever trust what the cdc says ever again. From the made up rules (not based on science) during Covid. To now making statements about men breastfeeding (???). I just can’t.
No more Covid vaccines for me, we need to build our immune systems.
I think there is a balance. The CDC got a lot wrong; they also did a lot right. The vaccines are not magic, but they also can be life saving for people at highest risk.
The challenge during the entire pandemic was getting evidence-based, nuanced information from trusted sources. Sadly, politics + science = politics. 😭
Sorry to harp on masks; they seem to be a bit of a hobbyhorse for me. A recent theory I’ve heard is that we can’t “protect others” from viral infections by wearing masks, even high quality ones. Why? Let’s say we’re sick, and exhaling viral particles. They might land on the inside surface of the mask, but they won’t stay there. As we continue exhaling over the particles, perhaps for long periods of time, they’re likely to become aerosolized, and to hang in the air just as if we hadn’t masked at all. Viruses, after all, are VERY tiny. If Covid were a bacterial infection, like strep throat, masks would have been much more useful, as those infections transmit more by close contact and respiratory droplets, and masks do an ok job of containing those (again, for short periods of time, before too much moisture accumulates). Does this make sense to you? Thank you for the wonderful article!
yes it does make sense - masks can work but the fit, filtration, and clinical setting has to be "just so" for the mask to make a difference.. as with everything, the utility of a medical device wholly depends on context
which is why debate about "masks don't work" vs "masks work" is unproductive
Ngl you dropped the ball with this post. Barely any mention of long covid, as if it weren't becoming an increasing risk given the high seasonal rate of infection from a lack of covid regulations and awareness. If infections and reinfections are higher than ever because nobody masks, then wouldn't that increase the cases of long covid we are seeing? Further, there's significant data coming out about long term consequences of covid that are missing from this post.
Hiya - This is not meant to be an exhaustive piece as would be provided by a govt agency like the CDC. Long COVID is decreasing, not increasing. And yes it is an ongoing risk - which is why people should get vaccinated and protect others from getting COVID by staying home when sick. The data on long term consequences is interesting and indeed part of why vaccines and managing underlying health is so important. Thanks
Dear Dr McBride, I just turned 80, am about to have 15 sessions of radiation for high grade DCIS breast cancer – believe all women shd get a mammogram no matter what their age – and I've had six Pfizer Covid shots and Covid last August. Plus rebound Covid. (And NHL lymphoma also caught early.) I would prefer not to get another vaccine until the fall because I developed headaches from the last two vaccine shots. Last one in December. My sense is that's OK? Will radiation compromise immunity? In this retirement community we still wear a mask in crowded situations and get tested. Thank you for all your helpful advice through the pandemic! I knew you way back when you were at NCS, moved to California 2020 to be near grandsons two days before Covid hit. Hope your parents are well.
Hi Robin - Wow you have been through a lot! I am sending warmth and well wishes! Radiation shouldn’t have any effect on immunity. As above, the benefits of a booster are transient and probably not as good as the CDC suggests, however the downsides are probably minimal, too. I would check w your doctor of course! All the best to you!
Good morning Dr. MCBRIDE. Thank you for this update, as I've been wondering! And thank you for the Taylor Swift post also. I'm a new Swiftie myself. Here's a topic I've not seen discussed: Last October my bronchitis that developed from seasonal allergies (not uncommon for me, age 67) went on to bacterial pneumonia (for the 1st time). Making a long story shorter, I eventually started seeing a PA in an office where there is just one other employee. Upon examining me, the PA ordered a lot of lab work, most of which had been done 7 months earlier. Labcorp told me some tests might not be covered by insurance and I signed the form. Sick as a dog, I didn't care! The bill came to $575 for me to pay. Medical Assistant called Labcorp. She told me it was their coding error and would be corrected. 3 invoices later, no correction, I paid the bill. I suspect the coding error was made by the PA, but what more should I have done?
Dr. McBride,
I’m not sure I will ever trust what the cdc says ever again. From the made up rules (not based on science) during Covid. To now making statements about men breastfeeding (???). I just can’t.
No more Covid vaccines for me, we need to build our immune systems.
*just my opinion, I am not an expert
I think there is a balance. The CDC got a lot wrong; they also did a lot right. The vaccines are not magic, but they also can be life saving for people at highest risk.
The challenge during the entire pandemic was getting evidence-based, nuanced information from trusted sources. Sadly, politics + science = politics. 😭
Sorry to harp on masks; they seem to be a bit of a hobbyhorse for me. A recent theory I’ve heard is that we can’t “protect others” from viral infections by wearing masks, even high quality ones. Why? Let’s say we’re sick, and exhaling viral particles. They might land on the inside surface of the mask, but they won’t stay there. As we continue exhaling over the particles, perhaps for long periods of time, they’re likely to become aerosolized, and to hang in the air just as if we hadn’t masked at all. Viruses, after all, are VERY tiny. If Covid were a bacterial infection, like strep throat, masks would have been much more useful, as those infections transmit more by close contact and respiratory droplets, and masks do an ok job of containing those (again, for short periods of time, before too much moisture accumulates). Does this make sense to you? Thank you for the wonderful article!
yes it does make sense - masks can work but the fit, filtration, and clinical setting has to be "just so" for the mask to make a difference.. as with everything, the utility of a medical device wholly depends on context
which is why debate about "masks don't work" vs "masks work" is unproductive
as always, it depends! thanks for your question!
Ngl you dropped the ball with this post. Barely any mention of long covid, as if it weren't becoming an increasing risk given the high seasonal rate of infection from a lack of covid regulations and awareness. If infections and reinfections are higher than ever because nobody masks, then wouldn't that increase the cases of long covid we are seeing? Further, there's significant data coming out about long term consequences of covid that are missing from this post.
Hiya - This is not meant to be an exhaustive piece as would be provided by a govt agency like the CDC. Long COVID is decreasing, not increasing. And yes it is an ongoing risk - which is why people should get vaccinated and protect others from getting COVID by staying home when sick. The data on long term consequences is interesting and indeed part of why vaccines and managing underlying health is so important. Thanks
Dear Dr McBride, I just turned 80, am about to have 15 sessions of radiation for high grade DCIS breast cancer – believe all women shd get a mammogram no matter what their age – and I've had six Pfizer Covid shots and Covid last August. Plus rebound Covid. (And NHL lymphoma also caught early.) I would prefer not to get another vaccine until the fall because I developed headaches from the last two vaccine shots. Last one in December. My sense is that's OK? Will radiation compromise immunity? In this retirement community we still wear a mask in crowded situations and get tested. Thank you for all your helpful advice through the pandemic! I knew you way back when you were at NCS, moved to California 2020 to be near grandsons two days before Covid hit. Hope your parents are well.
Hi Robin - Wow you have been through a lot! I am sending warmth and well wishes! Radiation shouldn’t have any effect on immunity. As above, the benefits of a booster are transient and probably not as good as the CDC suggests, however the downsides are probably minimal, too. I would check w your doctor of course! All the best to you!
Dr. McBride love your newsletters so much!
Thank you!
Good morning Dr. MCBRIDE. Thank you for this update, as I've been wondering! And thank you for the Taylor Swift post also. I'm a new Swiftie myself. Here's a topic I've not seen discussed: Last October my bronchitis that developed from seasonal allergies (not uncommon for me, age 67) went on to bacterial pneumonia (for the 1st time). Making a long story shorter, I eventually started seeing a PA in an office where there is just one other employee. Upon examining me, the PA ordered a lot of lab work, most of which had been done 7 months earlier. Labcorp told me some tests might not be covered by insurance and I signed the form. Sick as a dog, I didn't care! The bill came to $575 for me to pay. Medical Assistant called Labcorp. She told me it was their coding error and would be corrected. 3 invoices later, no correction, I paid the bill. I suspect the coding error was made by the PA, but what more should I have done?
Thank you,
Joan
Gosh I wish I had a magic wand to correct and simplify billing issues like this. So sorry I can't be more helpful!