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Getting Your Next Covid-19 Vaccine, With Or Without Insurance

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Federal authorities are urging Americans to get the new Covid-19 vaccine, and to reach out to their insurers if they’re having issues getting the shot for free, as it’s been made available for no cost to any American citizen.

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Post 9/11 First Responder Deaths Nearly Equals The Number Of Firefighters Who Died In 2001

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The amount of first responders who unfortunately passed away due to illnesses relating to the 9/11 terrorist attacks has almost reached the number of first responders who died on the actual day, 22 years ago.

343 New York firefighters died during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Today, a total of 341 New York City Fire Department firefighters, civilian support staff, and paramedics have died from post-9/11 illnesses.

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The 341 first responders who passed away within the past two decades have been memorialized at the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

According to a news release from Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, reported by CNN, the fire department added 43 names to the memorial on September 6.

“As we approach the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, the FDNY continues to feel the impact of that day. Each year, this memorial wall grows as we honor those who gave their lives in service of others.”

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“These brave men and women showed up that day, and in the days and months following the attacks to participate in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site. We will never forget them.”

The heightened risk of cardiovascular disease among the firefighters has been tied to the intense exposure of dust from the towers collapsing. Respiratory disease and thousands of cancer diagnoses have also been linked to the pollutants that were released during the attacks.

According to reports, more than 71,000 individuals are enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry. The Registry itself is a long-term study to better understand the physical and mental health impacts of the attacks.

Beyond the first responders who have been impacted by these ailments, workers of the World Trade Center, NYC citizens who were on the streets during the attacks, volunteers who were on Ground Zero after, and residents of surrounding buildings have also suffered lasting health impacts.

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Narcan Now Made Available Over-The-Counter Nationwide

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Narcan is now available over-the-counter nationwide in the US. Prior to the approval of this move from the US Food and Drug Administration, Naloxone, the technical name for Narcan, was prescription-only and given out by specific organizations.

Now, anyone in the US can go to their local pharmacy and pay $44.99 for two doses of Narcan. 

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Dr. Susan Bissett, the president of the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute, stated on the matter: “That’s a very positive thing. It’s better to not need it and have it than to need it and not have it.” 

This announcement was also made during overdose awareness week, and according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is being found more and more in fake prescription pills across the country. In fact, six out of 10 pills containing fentanyl had a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid when tested by the DEA. 

“We have a generation of people that are much more vulnerable to an overdose, and we might not think about them being vulnerable because they’re not in active use,” Bissett said. 

“It could be a student, for example, on a college campus who says I’m gonna take this Adderall that someone gave me because I need to stay up all night and cram for this exam, and what they don’t know is that Adderall might be laced with fentanyl and that could cause an overdose.” 

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Public health experts are worried that the price point is too high, however, many organizations are working to make the price as accessible as possible. Specifically, the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute, according to Bissett. 

“It’s almost like it’s another tool in the toolkit in the fight against overdose,” she stated.

She also discussed how the nonprofit organization is already supplying college campuses and libraries with ONEBox; an emergency kit that contains the Naloxone and a one minute video where former fire chief Jan Rader explains how to use and administer it. 

“We’re going to continue to do this work and make sure that Naloxone is in proximity of anywhere an overdose may occur. We’re really focused on that work,” Bissett said. 

“We’re thrilled about it going over the counter but we also know we are going to have to continue with the one box and community distribution as well.”

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Covid-19 Is Still A Part Of Our Reality: How The Virus And Our Immunity Has Changed

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According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 97% of people in the US have some level of immunity against Covid-19 through vaccination, infection, or both. Covid-19 infections are now on the rise again, and with the government slowing down on health and safety measures since the public health emergency was declared over in May, many individuals are wondering what to do as we enter this next wave of infections.

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US Experts Warn Of New Covid Variant, Eris

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This summer in the US, a new Covid-19 variant has become the dominant strain currently spreading throughout the nation, according to infectious disease experts. Experts are warning Americans to remain diligent about their Covid-19 safety procedures and vaccine boosters to keep themselves protected from this spike. 

The technical name of this strain is EG.51, a subvariant of Omicron also referred to as Eris. The Eris variant is currently the leading strain of the virus, accounting for about 17% of Covid cases in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Experts state that the rise in infection and hospitalizations do not indicate a need for health and safety measures to be mandated, however, the new variant is a part of a potential evolution of the virus, so it’s important for people to protect themselves. 

​​“As this virus continues to circulate, the potential for mutations to occur remains, and so we will see new genetic variants. It’s very often the case when we see new genetic variants that they may increase in circulation. Sometimes they replace the variants that came before; sometimes they just kind of burn themselves out,”  said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health.

People should continue to take Covid-19 tests if they feel sick, and stay diligent about monitoring virus data, especially if they’re in a vulnerable immunocompromised position. 

“We do need to continue to keep our eye out and be cautious for something that is truly like a new pandemic strain, which EG.5.1 is not,” said Justin Lessler, an epidemiology professor at the University of North Carolina.

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“The biggest concern that we have right now is that testing is not nearly what it was in many, many countries, including the United States,” Nuzzo said. This means it’s more difficult to track trends in the virus. 

“Even if there is a high percentage of test positivity, it’s unclear whether it’s because the only people getting tested right now are people who are really quite ill and know very well that they have Covid, versus maybe in the past people getting tested were people who needed a negative test before they could play sports or go to camp. That meant that we were sampling a larger portion of the population,” Nuzzo said. 

“Public health agencies rely on wastewater testing, which allows them to see the amount of Covid and what variants are in that concentration. But it’s harder for people collecting that data to determine whether that means people are getting sicker or whether a person who is infected is infecting more people on a per-person basis,” Nuzzo said.

“We can’t link the wastewater data to people. It’s totally anonymous. If the variant is a problem, we will see it, but the question is: how early will we see it? I don’t think there is this hidden severe wave,” Nuzzo added.

“Also, as the fall virus season approaches – meaning a likely uptick in Covid, flu and RSV cases – it’s important for healthcare workers to conduct tests in places with inadequate healthcare infrastructure, such as rural areas and low-income communities,” Nuzzo said.

According to the CDC, there were around 9,000 Covid-19 hospitalizations during the last week of July, marking a 28% increase from June.

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Cases of Leprosy Spike in Central Florida

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an increase in leprosy cases across Central Florida. Growing evidence suggests that the region has become an “endemic location for leprosy,” accounting for one-fifth of all cases nationwide.

The report released by the CDC states the most recent data shows there were 159 new cases of leprosy across the country in 2020, significantly lower than the 216 reported in 2019. However, the number of cases in Southeastern United States has more than doubled over the last decade.

“Central Florida, in particular, accounted for 81% of cases reported in Florida and almost one-fifth of nationally reported cases. Whereas leprosy in the United States previously affected persons who had immigrated from leprosy-endemic areas, ≈34% of new case-patients during 2015–2020 appeared to have locally acquired the disease.”

According to the federal Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), most new cases have been found in Florida, California, Louisiana, Hawaii, New York and Texas. However, a travel advisory for Central Florida is included in the report due to a disproportional uptick in cases in the region. In the last year alone, the Florida Department of Health reported 19 cases.

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“Travel to this area, even in the absence of other risk factors, should prompt consideration of leprosy in the appropriate clinical context. By increasing local physician efforts to report incidence and supporting further research to assess routes of transmission, a congruent effort can be made to identify and reduce spread of the disease.”

The HRSA states, “95% of the human population is not susceptible to infection with M. leprae, the bacteria that causes Hansen’s disease (leprosy).” Treatment with antibiotic drugs is very effective in combating the disease, but an early diagnosis is critical.

Without treatment, leprosy can damage nerves and lead to permanent disabilities, but early treatment can prevent this. In the absence of nerve involvement, the HRSA states leprosy would only present as a “minor skin disease.”

Leprosy is spread through droplets “from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.” The CDC states that though uncommon, leprosy can also be contracted via contact between humans and armadillos.

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“In the Southern United States, some armadillos are naturally infected with the bacteria that cause Hansen’s disease in people, and it may be possible that they can spread it to people. However, the risk is very low, and most people who come into contact with armadillos are unlikely to get Hansen’s disease.”

Still, the HRSA advises that armadillos are “wild animals and should be treated as such, with all the proper precautions.” In the report, the CDC cited a recent case of a 54-year-old man who contracted the disease in Central Florida. The man “denied any domestic or foreign travel, exposure to armadillos, prolonged contact with immigrants from leprosy-endemic countries, or connections with someone known to have leprosy.”

He is described as having resided in Florida his entire life, working in landscaping and spending long periods of time outdoors.

“The absence of traditional risk factors in many recent cases of leprosy in Florida, coupled with the high proportion of residents, like our patient, who spend a great deal of time outdoors, supports the investigation into environmental reservoirs as a potential source of transmission.”

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Study States 8 Lifestyle Habits Can Add Up Over Two Decades To Your Life 

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According to a new unpublished study that analyzed data from US veterans, adding eight healthy lifestyle habits to your life between the ages of 40 and 60 could extend your life by up to 24 years, depending on what age you begin implementing the habits. 

Even on the older end, the study states that if you start implementing the habits at age 60, you could still potentially gain 18 years to your life. 

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“There’s a 20-year period in which you can make these changes, whether you do it gradually or all at once. We also did an analysis to see if we eliminated people with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, stroke, cancer and the like, does it change the outcome? And it really didn’t, so, if you start off with chronic diseases, making changes does still help,” said lead study author Xuan-Mai Nguyen, a health science specialist for the Million Veteran Program at the VA Boston Healthcare System. 

The habits are relatively well-known: eat a healthy diet, exercise, maintain low stress levels, keep positive social relationships, get a full night’s sleep, don’t smoke, don’t drink in excess, and avoid hard drugs/opioids. While these habits may seem rather obvious, it’s important to understand just how much of a difference they can make in your life, and it’s encouraging to know that it’s never too late in life to make the changes. 

“The earlier the better, but even if you only make a small change in your 40s, 50s or 60s, it still is beneficial. This is not out of reach — this is actually something attainable for the general population,” Nguyen said. 

The study was presented on Monday at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, Nutrition 2023, and it showed how the study looked at the lifestyle behaviors of around 720,000 military veterans between the ages of 40 and 99. 

“Adding just one healthy behavior to a man’s life at age 40 provided an additional 4.5 years of life. Adding a second led to seven more years, while adopting three habits prolonged life for men by 8.6 years. As the number of additional lifestyle changes climbed, so did the benefits for men, adding up to nearly a quarter century of extra life,” Nguyen said, according to CNN. 

Nguyen went on to explain how women saw major changes in life span as well. “Adopting just one healthy behavior added 3.5 years to a woman’s life, while two added eight years, three 12.6 years and embracing all the healthy habits extended a woman’s life by 22.6 years.”

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“Doing all eight had a synergistic effect, sort of an added boost to extend your life, but any small change made a difference,” Nguyen said.

“An important strength of this analysis was that the population was highly diverse by race, ethnicity, and SES (socioeconomic status),” said senior study author and leading nutrition researcher Dr. Walter Willett.

The study also ranked all eight habits in order from which could give the largest increase in longevity, the following percentages were all taken from the study itself: 

  1. Exercise: “We looked at whether they did light, moderate or vigorous activity compared to not doing anything and just sitting on the couch. People who lived longer did 7.5 metabolic equivalent hours of exercise a week. Just to give you a baseline — if you can walk up a flight of stairs without losing your breath, that’s four minutes of the 7.5,” Nguyen said.
  2. Staying away from/not becoming addicted to opioids can reduce the risk of an earlier death by 38%.
  3. Never using tobacco can reduce the risk of death by 29%.
  4. Managing stress and reducing your daily stress levels can reduce early death by 22%.
  5. Eating a plant based diet could increase your chances of living a longer life by 21%.
  6. Avoiding excessive drinking and binge drinking, having more than four alcoholic drinks per day, could reduce your risk of death by 19%.
  7. Getting enough sleep every night, at least seven to nine hours a night with no insomnia, can reduce early death from other causes by 18%.

Having and maintaining positive social relationships can help life longevity by 5%. “Five percent may seem small, but that’s still a decrease in terms of all-cause mortality. Every little bit helps, whether you pick physical activity or make sure you’re surrounded by positive social support,” Nguyen said.

New Study Offers Explanation As To Why Some Covid Patients Never Felt Symptoms 

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In a new study published in Nature this month, scientists have estimated that over 20% of people who were infected with Covid-19 never had any symptoms, and now believe that their genetics are the reasoning behind why they never felt sick. 

Some people have a version of a gene in their immune system known as HLA-B which protects them from feeling the effects of the virus. The study found that people with a special variant of the gene are 2 to 8.5 times more likely to be asymptomatic than those without the variant. 

Scientists have concluded that this protein remembers infections from other seasonal coronaviruses, such as many common colds, and thus remembers how to go after the Covid-19 virus. 

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Jill Hollenbach is an immunologist at the University of California, San Francisco who led the research in the new study. Hollenbach herself had Covid-19, but it wasn’t an asymptomatic experience. 

“I had Covid-19. I was sick for about a week. I didn’t love it,” Hollenbach explained, describing a more average experience with moderate symptoms before making a full recovery. Now, her research is very focused on the more extreme cases, as well as cases with no symptoms. 

“One extreme is very severe disease [leading to hospitalization or death]. And the other end of that spectrum is you didn’t have any symptoms. We really haven’t understood what’s driving that,” she stated.

Hollenbach’s Covid-19 Citizen Science Study received contributions from the Be The Match program, which accepts donations of bone marrow from volunteers. 

“We simply asked people who were registered donors to track their COVID experience through a smartphone app and consented to let us look at their genetic data and link it to their answers,” Hollenbach said.

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When it comes to the HLA variants, Hollenbach found that one specific one, known as HLA-B*15:01, was associated with asymptomatic Covid. 

“To be fair, not everybody that has [HLA-B*15:01] will be asymptomatic. But it was a really clear, robust and replicable association. The thinking is that your exposure to some seasonal cold viruses, that in some cases share a lot of similarities with parts of SARS-CoV-2, gave you some existing immunity,” Hollenbach says.

Dr. Eric Topol, a physician-scientist at the Scripps Research Institute, discussed how this recent study could be the first step in further medical research: “It’s a breakthrough, I think it may wind up giving us a whole new map for what to do in terms of drugs and vaccines, which is really notable.”

One in every five people in the study were reported to be asymptomatic when they contracted Covid-19, and had the HLA-B*15:01 variant, there may even be other variants that offer the same potential protection. 

“I think that it gives us an opportunity to think about potentially developing vaccines and therapeutics that are aimed not at preventing infection but preventing symptoms,” Hollenbach says.

“If you can find a path so that people don’t get sick from COVID. That’s extraordinary,” Topol says.

Dr. Reyzan Shali Tri-City Primary Care

From Bullying Victim to Inspirational Speaker: A Doctor’s Empowering Journey | Dr. Reyzan Shali

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How we talk to ourselves can profoundly impact our mental and emotional well-being. The effects of negative self-talk are often insidious. Whether it be the voice in our head that tells us we are not good enough or the one that reminds us of our past mistakes, our internal dialogue can devastate our self-esteem, confidence and motivation. In a world where adversity and negativity can often consume us, Dr. Reyzan Shali’s story serves as a beacon of hope and resilience.

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Dr. Lin Morel Beyond Words Group Inc

Finding Healing Through Self-Compassion and Spirit | Dr. Lin Morel

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In a world often marred by pain and adversity, the quest for healing and inner peace becomes a necessity for many. We all seek solace, understanding, and guidance during times of hardship, but sometimes, it takes a unique perspective to truly navigate the labyrinth of trauma. Meet Dr. Lin Morel, a fifth-degree black belt and a remarkable spiritual counselor whose journey shaped her profound ability to help others process their deep wounds.

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