Dr. Klotman’s Week 232 video address focuses primarily on West Nile virus and COVID. The highlights are:
- West Nile virus cases are occurring mostly (not exclusively) in the Southern states
- Symptoms include the typical viral syndrome stuff (fever, muscle & joint aches, etc)
- Serious symptoms such as encephalitis (headache, confusion, etc) occur among 10%
- And yes, Anthony Fauci got West Nile – the viruses are trying to get even, perhaps?
- The new mRNA COVID vaccines target Omicron variant KP.2 – a descendant of JN.1
- The vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer should be available in pharmacies this week
- There is more evidence against the Wuhan lab leak theory regarding the COVID pandemic
- Recent animal studies of an octavalent Influenza vaccine suggest that it may be possible to create a “universal” flu vaccine for people. I can only hope.
- Bird flu monitoring continues, but there is still no evidence of human-to-human spread
If you plan to get together with family and friends for a Labor Day BBQ or other outdoor gathering, I strongly suggest that my buddies in the South spray some DEET on their clothes and exposed skin if these events will occur in the evenings. Mosquitoes in the South are a real menace, and West Nile virus can be nasty.
COVID vaccine should be available to most of you next week and beyond. If like me, you are an aging Boomer, get vaccinated. If you have a chronic illness that limits your activities or requires that you take medications, you probably need to be vaccinated too. Ideally, young, healthy people and children would also take the vaccine, but the truth is that many will not because: a) they feel invulnerable, b) they don’t really give a shit if you catch COVID from them and die, and 3) any number of moronic ideas involving QAnon, anti-Vax ideation, religion, or FREEDOM!
Sigh. Take care of yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors.