COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
This week marked a historical event—our front-line health care workers began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. It is a light at the end of the tunnel that we should all celebrate. For now, however, we must all continue with the safety measures we have in place to stop the spread of the virus: wear a face covering, maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly. In fact, even with the vaccine, we’ll need to continue to practice these measures for some time, as the rest of the population gets vaccinated.
During this holiday season, when we are all tempted to make small exceptions to “just this once,” remember we must all remain vigilant so that our colleagues, family, and friends will be there for next year’s holiday season.
This is our last newsletter for 2020, but we will continue to send you important updates about COVID-19 as needed. Also, we are always available if you have any questions or concerns at CovidCMO@miami.edu.
I wish all of you happy holidays and good health now and in the new year. Please, stay safe. |
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19
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GETTING VACCINATEDThe vaccine will be available on a phased schedule, with our front-line health care workers being first in line. We are following state and federal guidelines in disseminating the vaccine and will do so according to the allocation at our disposal.
The vaccine is not mandatory, but we strongly encourage everyone to receive it. The vaccine will only work if you take it.
For employees to opt-in, you must do so through Workday. Doing so will get you into the system, and you will be notified when you are eligible to receive the vaccine. We are finalizing a method for students to register and will share that information when it is complete. If you have questions about the vaccine please refer to the FAQs on our medical campus intranet.
GIVE A GIFT TO PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH If you are looking for gifts for friends and family, consider a gift that promotes staying safe during this pandemic. There are now numerous mask designs that can match the personality of your loved ones. Hand sanitizer and soap are also great gifts and are available in a variety of scents. Another idea is gift cards that help make staying at home more pleasant and convenient, perhaps to a grocery delivery or a video streaming service. |
HOLIDAY TREATSAnother healthy gift you can give friends and neighbors is food. For instance, fruit and nuts are full of nutrients. Pecans are an excellent source of fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. Dried fruit is high in fiber and antioxidants.
When it comes to baking, try to swap out ingredients to make holiday treats like fruit cake and pecan pie better for you. Try using whole wheat flour and apple sauce for a sweetener in your fruit cake, and use maple syrup instead of corn syrup for your pecan pie.
But then again, who are we kidding…2020 has been a tough year a little splurge with warm pie and a whopping scoop of vanilla ice cream isn’t the worse thing to do—nobody’s looking. If you have left over fruit cake, they make great sand bags for the next hurricane season.
BEING KIND IS GOOD FOR YOU There is a lot of research on the physical and mental health of being kind to others. When you practice kindness, your brain releases both serotonin and oxytocin. Both of these chemicals have been shown to reduce stress and chronic inflammation, which boosts your immune system. Even small acts of kindness are beneficial, like helping your neighbor with yard work or surprising the mailperson with a thank you note and a gift card to a coffee shop.
IGNORING YOUR HEALTH IS NOT GOOD With the rise in COVID cases or with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many people may put off making time for their health. However, you mustn’t put off seeking medical care if you are in need. Illness doesn’t take a vacation, so UHealth clinics are open and they have taken every precaution to ensure patients’ safety. You can also take advantage of telehealth appointments and talk to a medical professional from the comfort of your home. |
COVID AND VAPINGA recent study found that COVID-19 diagnosis was five times more likely among users of e-cigarettes, seven times more likely among users of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, and 6.8 times more likely among individuals who had puffed within 30 days before participating in the survey. It also showed that these individuals possibly had a more difficult recovery.
If you smoke or vape, give yourself the gift of good health by committing to quitting. You can find many resources to help you stop, including the Be Smoke Free program through the Fitness and Wellness Center.
ONE LAST REMINDER The safest way to celebrate the holidays is at home with the people who live with you. Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are rising rapidly across the United States due in part to the increase in travel over Thanksgiving. Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community by staying home. You can choose to either be a stepping stone or a roadblock to the spread of this virus. The choice is yours. |
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We will share more health and wellness news in the next edition. |
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COVID-19 RESOURCES
Students, faculty, and staff on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses who are experiencing possible symptoms consistent with, or who have been potentially exposed to, COVID-19 should contact the University’s COVID-19 hotline at 305-243-ONE-U, where UHealth physicians and providers are available to answer your questions and provide telemedicine services if needed.
Members of the Medical Campus should contact 305-243-8378.
For additional University of Miami COVID-19 information and resources, visit coronavirus.miami.edu.
If you are in distress or need counseling services, the Counseling Center provides mental health services through HIPAA-compliant teleconferencing platforms. Counselors are certified and available to help any time by calling 305-284-5511. Additional resources are also available by visiting counseling.studentaffairs.miami.edu. |
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