About the Delta Variant:
Vaccines are highly effective against severe illness, but the Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about variants in the US.
Testing, testing, testing
Testing helps us identify cases, trace contacts, and prevent spread. With fewer cases, public health professionals can find contacts easier and sooner. Stopping spread will make the variant viruses less of a threat.
So please don’t stop seeking testing if you have symptoms; it is still important to know how many cases of COVID-19 there are. If we only know about the severe cases that required hospitalization, it will skew the statistics, and be less representative of the true extent of the pandemic.
Masks and Vaccines -“do unto others”
I’m not here to debate the use of masks. If you are not yet vaccinated, masks are an easy and safe way to protect yourself but aren’t anywhere close to vaccine effectiveness. Bottom line, get vaccinated; it’s available and easy to get. You probably won’t have to wait in line for an hour like I did. Just click on this link
VACCINES.GOV
Remember, this is a contagious infectious disease spread by direct person to person contact. It’s not just about you, we’re here for each other.
Information and misinformation
There has been much of both in the past year, some deliberate, some well intentioned, some valuable, some just plain wrong. Whenever possible, get your information directly from the source, not “a friend of a friend’s second cousin”. Here are some tips for finding reliable information
7 resources for responsible sharing on social media
In this time of social distancing, the digital world can be a valuable source of connection if used responsibly. Thank you for joining me .
Final comments from the CDC
CDC will continue to evaluate and update public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people as more information, including on new variants, becomes available. Further information on evidence and considerations related to these recommendations is available in the Science Brief.
CDC website
exploring the HEART of ending the pandemic
Please do your friends a favor by sharing this post on social media and even in real conversations.
Dr. Aletha
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 