Updated 4/12/21
COVID-19There is no shortage of information to read about the virus that causes COVID-19. It is difficult to determine the most up-to-date information, but your best source are generally from the CDC or large medical organizations. I have included links to some of the best websites below. I have also been periodically sending out emails to patients about the pandemic, and you can access these emails below as well. Remember, much of what we know now is new, so some of the information in the past may have changed.
COVID-19 Vaccine: The roll out of the vaccines has definitely been bumpy over the last few months, but fortunately we are moving forward and are in the process of offering the vaccine to all adults that want it. As many of you know, everyone age 50 and above is currently eligible to get the vaccine, and starting April 15, anyone age 16 and above will be eligible. Supply will still be the main issue, especially because of the anticipated shortage of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. There were multiple different ways to try to get a vaccine appointment in the past, but recently, the process of scheduling vaccine administration has been consolidated. The majority of appointments are now available through MyTurn.CA.gov, and if you use one of the previous sites such as VaccinationSuperstationSD.com, you will be redirected to the MyTurn.CA.gov site. You will input your information and location, and the website will display vaccination locations close to you. The vaccines on this website are distributed from the State of California, but vaccines are also distributed directly from the federal government to certain pharmacies. If you don’t find vaccine appointment availability through MyTurn.CA.gov, you can look for availability at individual pharmacies by clicking here. We had initially planned on applying to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but with the change in distribution, it appears that we probably will not be able to in the near future. We had wanted to obtain the vaccine to provide for our own patients, but apparently we are being required to vaccinate anyone that wants to come into our office. Because we don’t have the staff or space, it will not be feasible to do this. However, with the variants caused by mutations in the coronavirus, we will probably need to get booster vaccines in the future, and hopefully we will be able to obtain vaccines by that time. If you are hesitant to get the vaccine, please schedule an appointment or virtual visit so that we can discuss it. I feel that everyone should be vaccinated, and as I stated before, I don’t believe that any one vaccine is better than another. You should try to get whichever vaccine is available to you. How to prevent yourself from getting sick: Make sure you are wearing a face covering and stay 6 feet apart when you are around people that aren’t in your household. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. For more information click here Help prevent the spread of COVID-19: Download the app CA Notify It does not collect personal information and uses the Bluetooth function of phones nearby to notify you if you have been in close proximity to someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19. The more people that install this app, the better it works. It functions as a sort of contact tracer, even for people that you don’t know, except that no personal information is ever shared. Click on the link above to read more information about it. Testing for COVID-19: Some insurances will cover COVID-19 testing only if you are having symptoms. The best way to get a test that is billed through insurance is either to:
Please read about: 3 Keys Steps While Waiting for you COVID-19 Results What to do if you are sick: NEW – MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT: If you have symptoms and are diagnosed with COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive monoclonal antibody treatment. This is one of the few treatments that has been shown to help decrease the risk of death or admission to the intensive care unit, and it is the category of medicines that the former president received when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 last year. It is only effective if given within the first 10 days of symptom onset, so it is essential that you get tested early if you have symptoms. Currently the treatment is only available for people who are at risk for complications from COVID-19, and this includes everyone ages 65 years or older, and individuals with diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, or immunosuppressive disease. It is also available for individual ages 55 and above if they have heart disease, hypertension, or chronic lung disease. The treatment is free for everyone, and you can read more information about it below. Treatment is administered at the MARC (Monoclonal Antibody Regional Center), which is currently at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. There are plans for additional MARCs to open up in the future. Contact us as soon as possible if you meet the criteria and are interested in the treatment. If you have questions about the treatment, please call us to arrange a virtual visit to discuss.
Here are things you should be doing if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 click here Previous COVID-19 related emails:
If you would like to go back to read some of the previous emails that our office has sent out. Remember that there has been some changes in our thinking regarding COVID-19, especially with regards to the wearing of masks. In the beginning, we did not feel that everyone should be wearing masks, but now we feel that it is very important. |
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