Thanks, Ryan. The hospitalization numbers (unvaxxed vs vaxxed) are staggering. How can some people put such a low value on their own life? You mentioned “playing the game” wisely - being unvaxxed is like going all in at poker with a really crappy hand. I’m getting my spring Covid vax this afternoon, already got my RSV & others, so I’ll be vaxxed to the max.
Thank you! I've been intentionally avoiding Covid information since the CDC new (expected but still disappointing) guidelines: I tried to benchmark other countries and what I found was France dropped mandatory isolation a year ago but said "do the right thing" --masks, avoid frail people and the UK said isolate if possible. Not that the UK has done well overall.
To roll Covid into all respiratory illnesses and make the guidance almost impossible to find is so disheartening.
I'm eligible for my spring booster and will time it to 6 months out, not sure about mixing novavax with an mRNA history, if there's any benefit.
There was a good Atlantic article about "flu-ifying" Covid--https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2024/02/covid-anniversary-flu-isolation-cdc/677588/
Please do continue the updates, we're flying data free these days. Very appreciated.
Thanks for this informative and important update in understandable language. Reinforces my plan to get a spring booster (age 76 and OC survivor; have dodged COVID so far). Please continue these monthly updates and I appreciate the time you take to research all the info.
Very timely post! I'm waiting to see my new Dr. since my previous one retired 3-4 years earlier than he planned due to long Covid. He nor his staff did not recommend Paxlovid when I got mild Covid 2 Thanksgivings ago and he's been less inquisitive than in previous years. Kudos to him for recognizing his own decline - he was a Dr. that Drs went to.
I appreciate the information you take the time to compile and share with us.
I got the Novavax last October (7th vaccine plus one infection). Trying to sort out which one to get later this month (I’m 67 and about to head to Europe — where I got my one infection despite being very careful). I’m hoping this vaccine is as good as the mRNA and for some reason I think it may be better for me (no evidence to support that except when I got the Pfizer vaccine I produced almost no antibodies).
Chiming in with others here to express my gratitude to you for these updates—and ALL the good and humane work you do. I particularly appreciated your bullet-point: “Seniors should get the new booster four months after their last vaccine dose if they got one, or at least three months after a Covid infection. I think it’s ok to time this individually and try to game it out within the context of your own life and plans.” I confess that I have been dragging my feet on getting the current booster. I am totally on board with the importance of vaxes and all the other protections available to avoid the potentially horrible consequences of Covid, yet I am seeing that, even so, it is hard not to succumb to fatigue with thinking about all this, including how to time for best advantage. Your comment here lifts a weight and for me is persuasive on getting the spring booster.
It is tremendously sad how many people are exposing themselves unnecessarily to this disease. I don’t think our health systems and society at large are prepared for the cascade of health problems we will be contending with for years to come.
Thank you for the excellent summary! My private practice just forwarded a "please explain" email from a disgruntled patient complaining I am denying him care based on him not being vaccinated. Good to have the science back me up!
I did warn you that I will have some thoughts later. So, a lot of research focusing on SARS-CoV-2 infections sequelae is really affirming past looks at acute viral and other infections. in cognitive decline. Especially noted in ILI/Pneumonia diseases. Like you, I have concerns with self-reported and observational limitation. Wonder if hypoxia can account for some of this? Zombie particles, certainly not surprising and likely in other infectious disease. Considering that 8% of human genome have a viral origin. Glad you picked up on the false dichotomy, seriously, do we really escape the wrath of any infectious disease illness? Your note on T1D increase, we know that infectious viral diseases triggers the onset. I believe we have seen this for T2D as well. Think we're looking a Law of Large Numbers here. As for IQ, there always been a bit of controversy over the bias in these test even in my long ago university days .
Well, gotta get back to finishing up my next substack but great work and summary! These things are a bit of work! Like the banner says, I do this not
because it's easy but because I thought it would be easy.
As a Novid, I definitely appreciate these updates, Dr. Ryan. I'll be asking my Kaiser PCP about ensuring the new vaccine will be available for us in the spring (which is soon!).
I am disappointed that the CDC has yielded to those who don't deem it necessary to isolate after infection. Just because they don't want to doesn't at all mean going out and about is a good idea. People can (and do) opt to ignore guidelines, but science-based guidelines should exist.
Thx. Great summary and commentary wish you were my PCP.
Thanks, Ryan. The hospitalization numbers (unvaxxed vs vaxxed) are staggering. How can some people put such a low value on their own life? You mentioned “playing the game” wisely - being unvaxxed is like going all in at poker with a really crappy hand. I’m getting my spring Covid vax this afternoon, already got my RSV & others, so I’ll be vaxxed to the max.
Thank you! I've been intentionally avoiding Covid information since the CDC new (expected but still disappointing) guidelines: I tried to benchmark other countries and what I found was France dropped mandatory isolation a year ago but said "do the right thing" --masks, avoid frail people and the UK said isolate if possible. Not that the UK has done well overall.
To roll Covid into all respiratory illnesses and make the guidance almost impossible to find is so disheartening.
I'm eligible for my spring booster and will time it to 6 months out, not sure about mixing novavax with an mRNA history, if there's any benefit.
There was a good Atlantic article about "flu-ifying" Covid--https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2024/02/covid-anniversary-flu-isolation-cdc/677588/
Please do continue the updates, we're flying data free these days. Very appreciated.
Thanks for this informative and important update in understandable language. Reinforces my plan to get a spring booster (age 76 and OC survivor; have dodged COVID so far). Please continue these monthly updates and I appreciate the time you take to research all the info.
Nicely done, I'll let you do the work of tracking all this. ;-) I have some thoughts later.
Very timely post! I'm waiting to see my new Dr. since my previous one retired 3-4 years earlier than he planned due to long Covid. He nor his staff did not recommend Paxlovid when I got mild Covid 2 Thanksgivings ago and he's been less inquisitive than in previous years. Kudos to him for recognizing his own decline - he was a Dr. that Drs went to.
I appreciate the information you take the time to compile and share with us.
I got the Novavax last October (7th vaccine plus one infection). Trying to sort out which one to get later this month (I’m 67 and about to head to Europe — where I got my one infection despite being very careful). I’m hoping this vaccine is as good as the mRNA and for some reason I think it may be better for me (no evidence to support that except when I got the Pfizer vaccine I produced almost no antibodies).
Chiming in with others here to express my gratitude to you for these updates—and ALL the good and humane work you do. I particularly appreciated your bullet-point: “Seniors should get the new booster four months after their last vaccine dose if they got one, or at least three months after a Covid infection. I think it’s ok to time this individually and try to game it out within the context of your own life and plans.” I confess that I have been dragging my feet on getting the current booster. I am totally on board with the importance of vaxes and all the other protections available to avoid the potentially horrible consequences of Covid, yet I am seeing that, even so, it is hard not to succumb to fatigue with thinking about all this, including how to time for best advantage. Your comment here lifts a weight and for me is persuasive on getting the spring booster.
It is tremendously sad how many people are exposing themselves unnecessarily to this disease. I don’t think our health systems and society at large are prepared for the cascade of health problems we will be contending with for years to come.
Thank you for the excellent summary! My private practice just forwarded a "please explain" email from a disgruntled patient complaining I am denying him care based on him not being vaccinated. Good to have the science back me up!
So,
I did warn you that I will have some thoughts later. So, a lot of research focusing on SARS-CoV-2 infections sequelae is really affirming past looks at acute viral and other infections. in cognitive decline. Especially noted in ILI/Pneumonia diseases. Like you, I have concerns with self-reported and observational limitation. Wonder if hypoxia can account for some of this? Zombie particles, certainly not surprising and likely in other infectious disease. Considering that 8% of human genome have a viral origin. Glad you picked up on the false dichotomy, seriously, do we really escape the wrath of any infectious disease illness? Your note on T1D increase, we know that infectious viral diseases triggers the onset. I believe we have seen this for T2D as well. Think we're looking a Law of Large Numbers here. As for IQ, there always been a bit of controversy over the bias in these test even in my long ago university days .
Well, gotta get back to finishing up my next substack but great work and summary! These things are a bit of work! Like the banner says, I do this not
because it's easy but because I thought it would be easy.
As a Novid, I definitely appreciate these updates, Dr. Ryan. I'll be asking my Kaiser PCP about ensuring the new vaccine will be available for us in the spring (which is soon!).
I am disappointed that the CDC has yielded to those who don't deem it necessary to isolate after infection. Just because they don't want to doesn't at all mean going out and about is a good idea. People can (and do) opt to ignore guidelines, but science-based guidelines should exist.
If we are in our early 50s or early 60s (not 65) with risk factors and want a second booster, will we be “allowed” to have another?