So, What Do You Do?
by Ngozi Osuagwu, MD | January 9th, 2022
It was January 4, 2021, when I got my first COVID vaccine. Unfortunately, not everyone is doing the right thing. There are people who test positive for COVID-19 and do not quarantined. My attitude is that everyone I come in contact with outside of my home is positive for COVID-19. So, what do you do?
- Establish care with a primary care physician (PCP) – this will cut down your need to go to the emergency room for non-urgent problems. The other advantage is that a PCP can direct you to the places to get tested for COVID 19 and will have access to all the new treatment options. You can also have access to telehealth visits.
- Get your booster and if you have not been vaccinated, get your vaccine. The vaccine is approved for anyone 5 years and older. Those who got the Pfizer vaccine can get the booster five months after the second dose. If you are vaccinated and get COVID-19, you are less likely to be hospitalized. Please get vaccinated.
- Sign up for the patient portal. If you have not signed up for the patient portal, you miss out on the opportunity to have access to your health care provider. This is not to be used for any situation that you may need to call 911.
- If you have a chronic disease, take your medication as directed. We do not want a crisis situation that leads you to the emergency room.
- Wear your mask when out in public. The mask should cover your nose and mouth. Wearing a mask is not a political statement. Wearing a mask is an act of kindness. It means that you care.
- Wash your hands. If you do not have access to water, then use a hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer should have at least 60% ethyl alcohol.
- Avoid large crowds. Maintaining social distancing is still important.
- Take a multivitamin. Food is definitely a good source of nutrients, however a multivitamin guarantees that you are getting some vitamin C and zinc which is great for our immune system.
- Increase your fruits and vegetables. This is helpful with building your immunity to help fight the virus.
- Get enough sleep. This is how our body recharges. We cannot fight off disease if we are not well rested. Try to get 7 – 9 hours of sleep.
The omicron variant of COVID-19 is extremely contagious. Let us all do our part to reduce our risk and those of our loved ones from contracting COVID 19. The goal is to avoid hospitalization and minimize symptoms. If you or a loved one is having any difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately.
Thank you for caring, and for your tips. While I have decided not to get vaccinated, I am by no means an “anti-vaxxer”. I’m just very concerned about possible side effects, FOR ME. I have two friends who had serious side-effects from the vaccine, but I had already decided, for myself, before they shared their experiences. In addition to the tips that you’ve given, when I’ve been around unfamiliar people, (e.g. grocery stores) I clean my nostrils and ear canals with hydrogen peroxide, and brush my teeth/gargle with hydrogen peroxide, as well as shower each day (more than once a day, if necessary) with Dove Anti-Bacterial soap. (I was using Dial, but Dial is strong enough to strip paint off a car!). I also take Vitamin C with quercetin; Vitamin D3 (50,000 IU once a month), chelated zinc, magnesium/calcium combo, and exercise 4-5 times per week, in addition to masking up when necessary.
Thanks for sharing.