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Today we are discussing the update released by the CDC on May 16th regarding masking.

The update states, “Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

This means that you will be able to engage in more activities IF YOU GET THE VACCINE! Please get the vaccine if you have not already. It is important to note that the guidelines regarding masking in effect at your local workplaces and businesses may vary. Until we know more about how vaccines influence the spread of COVID-19, people who have been fully vaccinated should continue to take precautions in public places such as wearing a mask, distancing, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands.

If you have not yet been vaccinated, please refer to the following resources to find locations near you:

- Search vaccines.gov
- Text your ZIP code to 438829
- Call 1-800-232-0233
- Check your local pharmacy’s website

The links below include information on the different available vaccines as well as the benefits of getting vaccinated.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine Learn about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination based on what experts currently know. Vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic.

Transmission of Covid in schools is thought to be very low.

Today we are taking a look into transmission of COVID-19 in schools, an important topic as schools across the nation begin to open up for in-person classes and activities. Overall COVID-19 transmissions in school is very low with proper prevention strategies in place. Measures such as masking, social distancing, cohorting, sanitizing and cleaning ensure that both the faculty and students are protected.

The CDC posted information about school transmission that can be very helpful. Studies show that children and adolescents may be less commonly infected with SARS-CoV-2 than adults. In-person learning in schools has not been associated with substantial community transmission either. A study of 20 K–6 schools in Utah at a time of high community transmission (>100 cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days) found low in-school transmission (About 0.7%) with mask requirements, a median of 3 feet between students and using cohorting. There is a greater risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection in schools who do not have properly implemented prevention strategies or those prevention strategies are not followed correctly.

Though outbreaks do occur in school settings, multiple studies have shown that transmission within school settings is typically lower than – or at least similar to – levels of community transmission, when prevention strategies are in place in schools.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/transmission_k_12_schools.html

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDC provides credible COVID-19 health information to the U.S.

This week we would like to bring light to the recent resumed use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

The J&J vaccine was put on a brief pause to investigate reports of a possible association with a rare side effect involving blood clots and low platelet counts. While you may have heard that these events were rare you may be unaware of just how few and far between, they were.

In total over 8 million doses of the J&J vaccine dose have been given to date with only 15 instances of this rare side effect, nearly all in women under the age of 50. This is so small that it can be difficult to comprehend. For comparison, the yearly risk of dying in a car crash is roughly 900 times greater than the risk of developing a deadly blood clot from the J&J vaccine.

If you are concerned regarding this possible side effect, we urge you to consider one of the other vaccine options such as Moderna or Pfizer, which are not associated with this risk. Please remember that this chance is much lower than the chance of having debilitating and even deadly outcomes from Covid-19.
It is with this last sentiment in mind that the CDC has deemed that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the potential risks and recommended its continued rollout to the American people.

As always, we hope this post helps arm you with the knowledge to make an informed decision. Please reach out to your doctor or send in any questions you may have.

If you would like more details regarding this topic, please see the official report below by the CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/JJUpdate.html #:~:text=CDC%20and%20FDA%20have%20recommended,those%20recommended%20to%20receive%20it.

COVID-19 Vaccination COVID-19 vaccines protect against COVID-19. Get safety info and more.

If you haven’t already heard, starting this week, vaccines are now available for anyone aged 16 or older if you live, work, or study in New Jersey. The vaccines are free, regardless of immigration or insurance status. Many appointments are available near you (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, various clinics). You can find a vaccine appointment here: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder

Many of us medical students are volunteering to vaccinate people at the Meadowlands Mega Site in Bergen County. We have slots open, and you can find a link to schedule an appointment here: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/covid19/meadowlands/

Also the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided vaccines for residents of the zip codes below:
Passaic: 07055
Paterson: 07501, 07502, 07503, 07504, 07505, 07513, 07514, 07522, 07524
Prospect Park: 07508, 07538
The vaccines will be given at Dr. Hani Awadallah School and at St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center.
To schedule, please call 973.910.2502 or visit http://www.stjosephshealth.org/get-vaccinated

If you are hesitant about receiving the vaccine, please message us or post your concerns so we can help address them.

Q: I received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine and developed a rash at the injection site. It went away after three days, but then I bumped my arm in the same spot and the rash re-appeared. Am I okay?

A: We're glad you reached out! That area on your arm was probably still sensitive and slightly inflamed from getting the vaccine. The re-injury likely just re-triggered an inflammatory reaction. As long as you have no other symptoms and it starts to go away, there is nothing to worry about. Using ice and Ibuprofen as needed is OK. If it gets worse or you have new symptoms, we recommend consulting with your doctor.

Check out some of our experiences with the COVID-19 vaccine!

Please join our Hackensack Meridian Health doctors in an informative discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine. This is an opportunity for our community partners to learn the latest on vaccine efforts and safety, as well as to have any questions or concerns answered.

To register for the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine COVID-19 Vaccine Forum taking place on Thursday, January 28 at 2pm, please click here.

https://events.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/d/6jq9h3/

Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine COVID-19 Vaccine Forum

Q: I’m concerned that the vaccines were developed so quickly. Are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines safe?

A: No vaccine is completely free of side-effects. But the benefits of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines outweigh any potential risks. The side-effects of both the Pfizer and Modern vaccines have been muscle aches and flu-like symptoms lasting no more than a few days. The results of the vaccine trials have been reviewed in great details by experts and have met the rigorous standards set by the FDA.

A very small percentage of people have experienced allergic reactions to the vaccine, but they have all recovered. If you have a history of allergic reactions to vaccines, you should discuss the vaccine with your primary care doctor.

There is also no reason to be concerned about long-term effects. The mRNA in the vaccine, which is what helps us develop COVID immunity, does not integrate into our DNA. The mRNA will disappear over time, so you should not be worried about long-term effects.

Q: When I get the vaccine, is it ok to take Advil to alleviate some of the side effects?

A: Pre-medication with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.

If you have been directed by a physician to take one of these medications for other medical conditions, please continue to do so. But otherwise, please do not pre-medicate prior to receiving the vaccine.

Once you have received the vaccine, please feel free to take one of the medications above! After the vaccine (either Moderna or BioNTech), some patients may experience soreness on the arm, fever, or flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, headache). These symptoms are self-resolving within a few days. You may take one of the medications above to help relieve these symptoms!

After having spoken to several people who have received the vaccine, the second dose seems to elicit slightly worse side effects than the first vaccine. One recipient, after receiving the second dose, developed a fever of 103, but she took some Motrin, and she felt completely better within 48 hours. We’ve also met many people who experienced nothing more than a slightly sore arm. Either way, we highly recommend that you receive both doses to elicit maximal protection from the virus.

Q: “I tested positive for Corona virus but currently have no symptoms. Should I take antibiotics?”



A: The coronavirus is a virus. Unfortunately, antibiotics are only affective against bacteria and therefore will not be helpful for a coronavirus infection.

(There are some treatments which the FDA has approved for emergency use for those who are sick enough to require hospitalization. But these are not antibiotics.)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFpLIDQcdyQ&feature=emb_title

For more information on the topic please see the link below.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

We are sorry to hear about your positive test and wish you a speedy recovery. During this time, we recommend quarantining for up to two weeks in your home and trying your best to avoid contact with anyone unless it is to seek medical attention. Please be vigilant with mask wearing and washing your hands to help prevent spreading to others. If you do develop any COVID symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, shivering, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, or new loss of taste or smell), please contact your doctor.

[For more information, see the link below]

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions!

COVID-19 and Your Health Get information about symptoms, testing, what to do if sick, daily activities, and more.

Q: Some of my relatives are planning on visiting New Jersey to spend Christmas here. What are some safety measures that we can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19?


A: Some of the key safety measures that we’d recommend are:
-Limiting indoor gatherings to those in the immediate household. At no time should there be more than 10 people in an indoor gathering.
-Ensuring that anyone who has had COVID-19 or has been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days refrain from gathering.
-Ensuring that anybody with symptoms of illness refrain from gathering. Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste/smell, cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, fatigue.
-Ensuring that individuals who are at high-risk of developing a severe COVID-19 infection refrain from gathering. This includes the elderly, diabetic, individuals with heart or lung conditions, individuals with weakened immune systems (HIV/AIDS, marrow or organ transplant recipients, prolonged use of corticosteroids), and others.

Other important safety measures include:
-Wearing a mask when you're not eating or drinking
-Washing your hands before preparing/serving/eating food. Make sure a hand sanitizer is easily accessible to everyone
-Using single-serve wares and utensils
-Keeping a social distance of 6 feet when eating, unless you are eating with your immediate family members whom you see everyday
-Sanitizing commonly touched surfaces with alcohol wipes
For further recommendations, please refer to this document.https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_GuidanceWinterHolidays.pdf

www.nj.gov

Question: I traveled to my aunt’s house in Virginia over Thanksgiving break. What are the guidelines for quarantine when returning from interstate travel?

Answer: If you are returning from any state beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware), you should self-quarantine at home for 14 days. Non-essential interstate travel is also discouraged at this time, so try to avoid it if you can. This applies to travel by car, bus, train, plane, or any other method.

If you develop any COVID symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, shivering, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, or new loss of taste or smell), get tested and contact your doctor.

Question: Many of the schools in Clifton are quite large. CHS has our 3000 students. Our middle schools 1400+. The states guidance of closing at 2 cases makes it almost impossible for our schools, once opened, to stay open. How can we keep our schools open?

Thank you for your question! Clifton is a socially and economically diverse community. We have a large number of multigenerational homes. More than other areas of the state with smaller schools and smaller populations. The number of students affected in a household with someone who is COVID + may affect more than one school. Therefore the rule of two remains appropriate for our community and communities throughout the state. These guidelines have been developed by public health experts and we follow the guidance for the greater good of our entire community.

Question: If I recently had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, should I get tested?

People who have had close contact with an individual who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19, can get tested but regardless should quarantine for 14 days.

Close contacts are individuals who were within 6 feet of a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case for a prolonged period (15 minutes over a 24-hour period) and were within 6 feet or had direct contact with the infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., were coughed on). Walking past a confirmed COVID-19 case or just being in the same building does NOT qualify as being a close contact.

Even if you do get tested you should still self-quarantine/isolate at home. Note that it may take 2 to 14 days after exposure for symptoms to develop so quarantining is important. To make this abundantly clear, here are some key points:
A negative test only shows you are not infected on the day tested during the 14 day quarantine.
You can still test positive and/or become sick during the 14 day quarantine. 2 days after exposure, you still have about a 97 percent chance of becoming symptomatic if you are in fact infected. After 5 days, this chance decreases to about 50 percent. By 11.5 days, 97.5 percent of infected individuals would have shown symptoms.
After 14 days if you have no symptoms, your quarantine is over.

Please keep the following in mind: As long as the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading in the clifton community, continue to practice social distancing, wash hands often and avoid touching your face, and clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard- backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks, phones). Wear a cloth or disposable mask when in public places. This will help protect you from anyone who may not be sick (but may be asymptomatic) and able to spread the virus to others.

Question: “Some of my family members are confused on whether we should wear disposable gloves when leaving our home. Should I actually use them when I go shopping?”

Answer: Per the CDC the only time disposable gloves are necessary is during active cleaning of surfaces in your home, or if you are caring for an individual you believe to be sick.

For normal daily use like using a shopping cart at the grocery store they are not particularly effective. For instance, if you were to touch a surface with a gloved hand and then touch your face, the glove would make no different. The best course of action is to be consistent with hand hygiene (soap & water for 20 seconds or hand sanitizer with min. 60% alcohol), wearing your mask, and minimizing situations in which you will be at risk.

Question: Over Thanksgiving break, I went to my aunt’s house in Clifton. It was like 11 people there and since they are family no one really wore a mask. On Sunday I started feeling sick. Should I be tested?

Answer: Thank you for your transparency! If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID, please get tested. Symptoms of COVID include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, shivering, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, or new loss of taste or smell. Make sure that you quarantine until you able to get tested and get the results back. Remember, it can take up to 2 weeks (14 days) to develop symptoms, so keep an eye out for additional symptoms.

If the test is negative, and you are still experiencing symptoms, contact your doctor and consider a repeat test. When in doubt about anything, quarantine and contact your doctor! Keep in mind that it is recommended by the CDC and NJ Department of Health to wear a mask over your nose and mouth in public spaces. This would include going to a family member’s house.

Here is a link with suggestions on how to safely celebrate the holidays. Stay safe!

https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/how-can-i-safely-celebrate-the-holiday-season -link

How can I safely celebrate the holiday season? | FAQ in How can I safely celebrate the holiday season?.

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