As a nurse specializing in infection prevention and control, I’ve seen the real world impacts of masking, distancing, testing, vaccination and ventilation for reducing the impacts of COVID-19 here on the North Coast.

I am also pretty much over it. Done. While I love the challenge of “keeping up with the times,” I don’t want to hear about it, I don’t want to think about it, and despite the fact that my job is to track and manage the pandemic for our organization and communities, I’m ready to think about something. Anything else.

Infection prevention and control nurses — we’re just like you!

COVID-19 fatigue is real, and it’s OK if you’ve slipped on your harm reduction strategies. That said, I want to tell you about what’s currently going on with COVID-19 infections, and remind you of ways to protect yourself and your community.

COVID-19 cases are spiking nationwide, with more reported and estimated cases nationwide than a year ago. 120,000 people a day are still testing positive, and that’s probably a small fraction of the true number.

The newer BA.5 subvariant of COVID-19 is hyper-contagious, and more immune evasive than previous strains. This means that whether you’ve previously had COVID-19 or been vaccinated, your risk of reinfection has increased. Coupled with the increased infectiousness, things are likely to get worse because of our (understandable) unwillingness to keep our guard up. This is compounded by the newest research indicating that repeat infections can cause serious long-term health problems, even if the COVID-19 infections were mild.

So, what can you do to stay safe and protect others? Follow these steps as much as you can. You can also sigh heavily, mutter angrily, and wish we could focus on something more pleasant — I know I do.

Wear a proper mask, properly.

What’s a proper mask? A KN94 or KN95 mask, without a valve, is strong protection for you and others. Masking is still one of the simplest and most effective ways to limit the spread of COVID-19, and the better the mask, the more important it is to wear and handle it correctly to get the full effect. For information on free masks, and types of masks and how to use them, visit this link.

Take a COVID-19 test.

There’s no shame in getting COVID-19.

We need to recognize that even if we have done all we have been asked to do, we still may get COVID-19. The shame and guilt associated with contracting the virus and possibly spreading it to others, or worse, can lead to people not seeking medical attention, getting tested, reporting it to a health provider, and even sharing with those who may have been exposed. We need to remove the stigma associated with contracting this super-contagious virus and continue to work hard at protecting ourselves and others.

If you have an upcoming event with others, are feeling ill, or are exposed to someone with COVID-19, consider taking a COVID-19 test. Testing is free and available in numerous locations around the county, along with free at-home test being available for everyone at this link.

We at United Indian Health Services would be glad to help you get tested, patient or not — just call us at (707) 825-5073.

Vaccination

Oh dear. Let me just provide you with the newest information that might be of interest, regardless of how you feel about this topic.

If you have not yet been vaccinated, you may be happy to hear about the approval of Novavax. Novavax is a protein-based (non-mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine that is made in the more “traditional” and familiar way of making vaccines using older technology, similar to tetanus and Hepatitis B vaccines

This vaccine is now an additional option for those who are not yet vaccinated. Check with your provider if this may be an option for you or your loved ones.

For those who have been vaccinated already, boosters are available and encouraged, as both vaccine-induced and natural immunity wane over time, usually a few months. Only 66% of the US population are fully vaccinated, and only 31% have received a booster dose. Only one in four have received a second booster. This low vaccination rate increases the likelihood of reinfection, as well as more variants.

For kids, COVID-19 vaccines are now approved and available for ages six months and up. Kids can still get very sick with COVID-19. Kids are much better off getting vaccinated. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Ventilation

With COVID-19, masks are better than no masks, and outdoors is safer than indoors. Why? Because you get to breathe cleaner air. Obviously sometimes we have to be indoors with others, and layers of protection are the key to preventing infection.

To make your indoor air significantly safer, consider building a Corsi-Rosenthal box. With a few filters, a box fan, and some duct tape, you can build an incredibly effective air filter for under $100. This simple tool can make indoor spaces much safer for viruses, and they are so easy to build you can follow the instructions from a fourth-grader: 

With the BA.5 variant causing a new wave of infections among the vaccinated and previously infected alike, it’s time to rededicate ourselves to masking up, testing, and vaccination.

It’s OK if you want to sigh loudly and grumble a little too.

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Michelle Lewis-Lusso (she/her) is an Infection Prevention & Control Nurse (RN) with 33 years serving the indigenous communities of the north coast. She resides in Blue Lake with her family and wants you to stay healthy, even if you’re over it.