TIRED OF COVID
by Ngozi Osuagwu, MD | August 22nd, 2021

I debated whether I should write about COVID-19. I know we are tired of hearing about COVID-19. You hear about it in the news. You hear about it at work. And now you have to wake up on a Monday morning to hear about it. Keeping My Sisters Alive and Healthy is about being in the know. If I do not talk about it, it would be a disservice.
As you know, there is a new variant of COVID-19 that is present. It is the delta variant. It spreads faster than what was around last year. Most of the people being infected are younger and have not been vaccinated. There have been people who have been vaccinated and have tested positive for this variant, however their symptoms tend to be milder. The common symptoms of this variant tend to be headache, runny nose and sore throat.
We are currently on our fourth surge. The hospitals are once again becoming full with patients who are sick due to COVID-19. So, what do we have to do?
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have not yet gotten your vaccine, please do. The vaccine has been approved for everyone 12 years of age and older. Everyone also includes those who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. Being pregnant and catching COVID is not a good combination. PLEASE GET VACCINATED.
- Wear your mask. The mask should cover your nose and mouth to be effective. It does not matter whether you are vaccinated. Wear your mask.
- Wash your hands often and when you have no access to water use a hand sanitizer. Keep hand sanitizers in your purse, at your desk, and in your car. Washing your hands needs to be second nature.
- Practice self –care – Get enough sleep, exercise, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, take a daily vitamin, meditate, and take all your prescribed medications. Take advantage of your patient portal in case you have any questions for your health care provider.
- Stay home if you are sick. If you think that you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop fever, respiratory symptoms, such as cough, difficulty breathing or sore throat call your health care provider immediately.
Above are just a few things that we can do to help slow down the spread of COVID-19. For up to date and accurate information on COVID-19 and ways to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19, please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
We can never talk too much about a virus that has taken over 600,000 lives. That is like wiping an entire state or even small country off the face of the earth. Thank you for still talking about it.
Thank you for giving us that perspective. We should never forget those lives that have been lost. Thank you.
Thanks so much for re-educating us on this out of control virus!! You are so necessary and we truly appreciate you and your advice.
Bea
You are so right – the virus is out of control, but we can truly do our part. Thank you for your feedback.