COVID-19 Resources: Staying Healthy, Vaccines, and the Holidays
Written by Emily Durham, MS, CPhT
11/06/2020
The holidays are now only weeks away, and many people are looking to medical and public health professionals for guidance and updates. The hardest part of living in a pandemic is the uncertainty of returning to “normal life”. I’ve compiled some resources for our Mezza ladies to stay informed to make the best decisions for their life and families.
After speaking to many medical professionals about COVID-19, it seems like the overwhelming majority have very simple recommendations to staying healthy. In addition to socially distancing and wearing masks, they recommend eating a balanced diet, sleeping at least 7 hours per night, staying hydrated, and regularly exercising. These four simple lifestyle choices will keep you mentally and physically healthy. Our pharmacists also highly recommend getting your flu shot as soon as possible. If you’re interested in exploring vitamins and minerals, click here to check out our online store and do not hesitate to call our pharmacists if you have questions.
Mental health is also just as important as physical health, especially during the holiday season. The Center for Disease Control recently reported that nearly 40% of Americans are struggling with mental health and substance use1. Many people are feeling depressed and isolated, so your kindness could be their strength. One of my favorite “comebacks” during this pandemic has been the art of writing cards and notes to loved ones. Sending a simple note or card to a lonely senior or distant family member could have a lasting impact. Archer Paper Goods in Ponce City Market (..and online) has a beautiful selection of stationary and unique holiday cards.
One of the topics of discussion in our home has been how will we be celebrating for the holidays. We have been brainstorming with our family and friends unique ways to celebrate this year. The key to making plans this holiday season to discuss and asses the risks of each event.
This risk assessment guidance from the CDC has been very helpful to our family:
Lower risk activities
Moderate risk activities
Higher risk activities
Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) along with many other national health institutes implemented Operation Warp Speed at the start of the pandemic to manage the production and delivery of a COVID-19 vaccine. There are approximately 150 COVID-19 vaccines that are in a variety of stages of development all over the world, and about a dozen in clinical trials in the US. My advice on staying updated on vaccine information is being very careful where you get your news. There is a ton of misinformation on social media surrounding the intention and safety of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Here are a couple agencies to follow for accurate COVID-19 vaccine updates:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
https://www.nih.gov/coronavirus
Additional Resources