On this week’s Health Matters, KFUG Community Radio’s show about all things health with local PA Lynn Szabo, we sit down to talk about the thing you’ve already heard about: COVID-19’s Omicron variant.
Very little medical information is present as this remains an unfolding story. The first cases reported came from South Africa, November 24th, 2021 (with those particular cases initially being reported November 9th, 2021.) The Omicron variant itself has approximately 50 of its own mutations at the time of reporting, 30 of which are on the spike protein.
In short: we don’t a know whole lot just yet. The effectiveness of current vaccines against Omicron is yet to be determined, but the response from scientist has been a matter of weeks instead of months like previously, with Moderna and Pfizer looking at the vaccine response to this variant.
All this being said—what’s a concerned Del Norter to do? It’s back to the basics, or continuing for those who have listened:
- Get your third dose. (Talk to your provider or pharmacist about what’s available)
- Wear your mask, correctly. (The nose is part of the respiratory system too.)
- Isolate and distance. (While you don’t need to confine yourself to a dungeon, don’t start rushing into groups of strangers.)
- Wash your hands. (Come on. Don’t be gross.)
- Don’t touch your face. (Might be tempting but if you skipped that last step, you’re really gonna want to listen.)
For the full talk with PA Lynn Szabo, you can listen to the full episode of Health Matters below!
Health Matters is on live every Tuesday at 11am on KFUG Community Radio 101.1 FM and streaming online at kfugradio.org!
