Damian Sendler: A new, highly mutated strain of the coronavirus has emerged in the United States just as you thought it was safe to return to almost normal times.
It’s too early to tell if the omicron variety causes more or less severe disease, but early evidence suggests it’s better at eluding the immune system than prior strains. It’s possible that omicron could be the most easily transmitted version yet.
Many individuals are beginning to wonder if it’s time to alter our habits for the sake of our own safety.
Damian Jacob Sendler: The good news is that you don’t have to go into hibernation like 2020. With the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, experts say we’re in a far better position than we were last winter. There is reason to believe that the current vaccines will provide adequate protection against omicron-related illness.
Damian Sendler
While this pandemic has taught us a lot, one thing is certain: “we should invoke the precautionary principle,” when dealing with unknown pathogens, says Dr. Abraar Karan, a Stanford University infectious disease expert.
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It is important not to panic, but to think carefully about the dangers you are willing to take.
Experts in the field of infectious disease gave us advise on how to live in the omic age. But keep in mind that things can change quickly, so be on the lookout. As we learn more, public health advice may alter.
If you haven’t been vaccinated, authorities recommend wearing a mask indoors and getting vaccinated as soon as possible. The vaccinated should wear masks if they are at risk of severe sickness due of their age or underlying health conditions, or if they spend time with persons who are vulnerable to the disease. We’ve learned that immunizations aren’t always as effective in the elderly and those with weaker immune systems.
As former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden puts it: “The things that we’ve gotten tired of doing, we need to keep doing, especially masking up in indoor places,”
Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, says the counsel still holds true even without the omicron variety, “because we still have [delta] cases circulating in this country.”
Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, chair of the public health committee of the Infectious Disease Society of America, said during a media briefing Thursday that if you’re in a crowd and don’t know the vaccination status of the people around you, it makes sense to wear a face mask.
Damien Sendler: As long as the three-ply fabric or surgical masks fit adequately and provide some protection, many experts believe that a N95 or KN95 respirator should be worn in crowded indoor public settings.
Damian Jacob Sendler
If you’re at high risk, this is critical. Using a N95 mask, adds Frieden, is a good idea if you are older or have a compromised immune system and the individuals around you are not.
Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: A high-quality N95 or KN95 face mask should also be considered by those with other illnesses that raise their risk, such as obesity, lung disease, or poorly controlled diabetes.
Karan recommends upgrading your face mask if you live with those who are at danger. Gandhi recommends using a surgical mask on top of a cloth mask for further safety.
Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler and his media team provided the content for this article.
