COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
The fall semester is nearing its end, and there is much activity with exams and holidays around the corner. As predicted, COVID-19 cases are going up in the community and in certain areas of the country. This has more to do with a post-Thanksgiving gathering bump than the omicron variant. While this increase is much less severe than it was last year because of vaccines, it is a reminder that the pandemic is not behind us.
Regarding omicron, the data is still coming in and being analyzed. You will likely see some in the media say it's less severe, and others say it's not. The same holds true regarding the extent to which the variant evades immune response. The reality is that no one knows for certain—yet. At this point, it is speculation.
What is not speculation is what we can do to protect ourselves and each other. So, I will reiterate those points:
- Get vaccinated
- Get boosted (six months after your second shot of Moderna or Pfizer, or two months after a J&J shot)
- Wear facial coverings when indoors
- Avoid large gatherings
- Test if you have symptoms
- Isolate if you’re positive for COVID-19.
If we all adhere to these steps, we can keep each other safe—including from omicron—this holiday season.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
ADAPTING VACCINESWhile the vaccine effectiveness on omicron is not yet known, researchers are already preparing rapidly to adjust the mRNA vaccines if necessary. You may wonder how a vaccine could be adapted to a variant so quickly. The answer is in how these vaccines work. Using RNA, they deliver instructions to your immune system on developing antibodies to fight COVID-19. Rewriting the RNA genetic code to match a variant delivers new instructions to your cells. Of course, this is only necessary if the variant has mutated so much that the antibodies created from the original vaccines do not recognize it. This is still unknown in the case of the omicron variant.
COVID-19 HOME TESTSTesting is critical in curbing the spread of the virus, which is why it has always been a pillar in our strategy. Recently, the CDC has emphasized using at-home tests as a fast and convenient way to help reduce transmission, particularly before you gather with friends and family during the holidays. In addition, you can self-test, whether you are having symptoms or not.
At-home tests are available at many pharmacies and retail stores. Most of them either take a nasal or saliva specimen. If you self-test, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, don’t use a test that appears damaged or discolored, and don’t reuse a test. Also, wash your hands and surfaces before and after testing.
If you test positive, tell your physician and close contacts, notify the University’s COVID-19 hotline (305-243-ONE-U), isolate for 10 days, and wear a mask when around others. If negative, you may consider retesting after a couple of days. Also, you can get tested at one of the many test sites around South Florida and on campus for students. The CDC has diagrams
showing how to properly collect a specimen and a tool that can help you determine your next steps after using an at-home test.
HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM STRAINOne of the dangers of a more transmissible COVID-19 variant is the possibility of straining the health-care system even further than delta. A study published by the CDC illustrates the consequences associated with ICUs being at capacity. By examining excess deaths and hospitalization data from July 2020 to July 2021, researchers determined “intensive care unit bed use at 75% capacity is associated with an estimated additional 12,000 excess deaths 2 weeks later” and over “100% ICU bed capacity, 80,000 excess deaths would be expected 2 weeks later.” These deaths are overall excess deaths, not just those listed as being caused by COVID-19.
UPS AND DOWNSUps and downs of the COVID-19 pandemic and other stressors can make it difficult to focus on what’s important. However, during a public discussion with President Frenk and other local leaders, University of Miami psychology professor Amishi Jha stated that a person’s full attention is so crucial—we need it to think, make decisions, regulate emotions and connect with others. She also said that you can train yourself to pay better attention to the things that matter and block out the rest through meditation and mindfulness. The University has several mindfulness resources, including
virtual mediation classes, the Art of Mindfulness Program through the Lowe Art Museum, and a meditation room in Richter Library.
I hope you are each mindful of taking care of yourselves. You are what make the U great! |
|
|
|
|
|
We will share more health and wellness news in the next edition. |
|
|
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 a student 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.
If you are a faculty or staff members in need of support visit fsap.miami.edu. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
