The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are painful to think about: 7 million dead worldwide, more than 1 million fatalities in the United States, 80,000 of those New Yorkers. Long COVID has debilitated 6% of Americans, and an unprecedented number of adults (20%) and teens (11%) continue to suffer from depression at rates higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Four months ago the federal government declared an end to the public health emergency. At-home test kits are no longer subsidized, masking isn’t mandatory and social distancing is a thing of the past. The shared miseries of the pandemic—the loneliness of lockdown, the anxiety about a new wave, the watering eyes from nostril swabs—are fading from public consciousness, too.
But while most Americans no longer worry about COVID-19, the facts are clear: The coronavirus is here to stay, and it still poses a significant risk.
Morphing into variant strains with nicknames like “the Kraken,” “Eris” and “Pirola,” the latest mutations may be even more contagious than Omicron. They produce similar cold-like symptoms and can be just as deadly (but not more so) to elders and those with chronic disease.
The Data Tracker from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that a sobering 500
Americans are dying from COVID-19 every week. While that’s a drastic improvement from 14,000 weekly two years ago, it is the fourth-leading killer in the U.S., behind heart disease, cancer and accidents. Hospitalizations in the first two weeks of September increased 16% since July, with over 20,500 weekly admissions in the U.S.—and the coronavirus peak season isn’t expected until November.
Experts also caution that a “tripledemic” may be around the corner: COVID-19, flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). The viral triad overwhelmed hospitals last year—they attacked early, simultaneously, and hit hard. In October 2022, some New York state emergency rooms saw a 300% increase in RSV cases alone. The tripledemic became a perfect storm, especially because a majority of Americans are still unvaccinated: Only 17% of adults got last year’s COVID-19 dose.
The World Health Organization and the CDC maintain that vaccinations are the best protection for everyone from long COVID, hospitalization and death. No longer called boosters, the 2023-2024 coronavirus immunizations work like the flu shot, fighting off the current strains infecting the community.
This year all COVID-19 immunizations will be quadrivalent, protecting against four different variants. Pharmacist Tim Dittenhoefer, said, “The Pine Plains Pharmacy is looking to get our Pfizer and Moderna vaccines from the government by the first week in October. We hope to have a vaccination clinic at the American Legion pavilion like last year. Stay tuned.” Medicare and private insurance cover the vaccination. Information on how to get a free vaccination can be found here.
The CDC recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid a tripledemic, and has okayed getting the three shots—coronavirus, flu and RSV—at the same time. Flu immunizations protect against the associated pneumonia that kills an average of 35,000 Americans annually. Recommended for ages 6 months and up, the vaccine is widely available and covered by insurance. Many community programs that provide free flu shots can be found here.
RSV is as deadly as flu. The FDA has recently approved two new vaccines, Arexvy and Abrysvo, for qualified patients over the age of 60. Talk with your doctor to see if you’re a candidate. Medicare Part D covers the shot; check here for details. (Infants and toddlers are given a different type of preventive treatment.)
Masking still has its place. Endorsed by the National Institute of Health, a well-fitting N95 mask (now called a respirator) should be considered in crowded spaces such as airplanes and concert venues. Respirators are recommended for caretakers of kids and the elderly and for those in high-risk groups for grave viral illness: the immunosuppressed, seniors over 65, or those diagnosed with chronic disease like diabetes or asthma. The CDC suggests following local COVID hospitalization rates to aid in the decision to mask.
Frequent hand washing and staying home if sick are familiar precautions that still make a big difference, cutting risk of all viral infections by at least 25%.
Mary Jenkins recently retired after nearly 40 years as a family practice physician in New York state.