FOLLOWING our column on the tripledemic, the trifecta of viral infections this fall and winter, we received dozens of queries from our readers. Here are some of them with our reply.
Is COVID-19 still a worry?
Yes, although the current Omicron sub-strains appear to be milder. As we stated before, milder did not (and does not) mean mild, because there were (and are) still significant hospitalizations and deaths reported. As of Monday, November 14th, the daily average case (per day!) was 39,489, with 317 deaths, and 27,943 hospitalizations. COVID-19 cases in the USA are on the rise again, with BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 (following BA.4 and BA.5) as the dominant sub-strains. So, we still have to be vigilant and cautious, especially for babies, seniors, those who have health issues, and those immunocompromised. Newer sub-strains are with us. COVID-19 will be with us for the unforeseeable future!
Are masks effective?
Contrary to fake news in social and regular media, masks are very effective in reducing the number of viral particles we inhale and the viral spread from those who are infected to people around them. Several clinical studies have proven that. Those wearing masks are not only protecting themselves but protecting people around them even more. These are the scientific facts. While masks are not 100 percent beneficial, they are very effective, much like bullet-proof vests which are not 100 percent protective, yet worn by all the military, federal agents, police, and sportsmen. Those spreading rumors that masks are useless are doing a great disservice even to their own family, friends, and people around them, and to humanity as a whole.
‘… we still have to be vigilant and cautious, especially for babies, seniors, those who have health issues, and those immunocompromised.’
If masks work, why do people still get infected?
There are many reasons for this. Firstly, are they worn properly, without the nose sticking out? Is it the recommended KN95 NIOSH-approved mask? Cloth masks or those regular surgical masks are not effective, but better than no face cover. Is the wearer’s immune system healthy? Is the individual fully vaccinated? Is the individual doing social distancing? Does the individual do frequent handwashing and not touching their face with bare hands? Does the person have the discipline needed for masks to work?
What does fully-vaccinated mean?
At this stage of the pandemic and vaccination for COVID-19, fully-vaccinated means the person has received five shots (including 3rd booster, a bivalent vaccine, targeting Omicron sub-variants). This bivalent booster has been proven to be very effective compared to the old monovalent shots. More than 12 billion vaccine doses have been administered around the globe and proven to be safe and effective. With the predicted fall-winter wave of COVID-19, it is best for everyone to get this bivalent booster.
I got the 2nd booster, why did I still get infected?
People are thinking of COVID-19 as one infection. It is not, since the virus has replicated and mutated to new strains and sub-strains, each of those (like the original ancestral one, the Delta, the Omicron and the Omicron sub-strains, BA.4, BA.5, and now BQ.1, BQ.1.1 and BF.2.75) each of this should be considered a culprit, each causing a distinct illness. If one is infected by, say BA.4, he/she could still be infected by BQ.1, and so on. Each of them should be considered as causing its own illness. So, masking and even vaccination cannot protect us from new variants or sub-variants, in the same manner that not all bullet-proof vests can protect one from all different types of bullets. Although vaccines (polio, DPT-MMR for children, smallpox, seasonal flu, COVID-19, etc.) are not 100 percent effective, they are beneficial enough to save billions of lives around the world. Just like bullet-proof vests!
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1996, whose other awardees include: President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, Mohammad Ali, David Letterman. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
