The number of COVID-19 patients at The University of Kansas Health System is steady today. Six patients with the active virus are being treated, up from five yesterday. Of those patients, two are in the ICU, up from one yesterday. Six other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, down from seven yesterday. That’s a total of 12 patients, the same as yesterday. HaysMed reports one active and one recovering patient, after having two active patients yesterday.
On today’s Morning Media Update, our Executive Director of Mental and Behavioral Health, Lauren Lucht, joined us. She helped explain how and why people not prone to anxiety and depression might be feeling both during this pandemic. Everyone is feeling the effects, some more than others, and she helped break that down for us.
Before starting the discussion, results of a health system employee poll were presented. 86 percent said they are vaccinated, and 55 percent said everyone in their household is too. 40 percent said they are worried about the spread of COVID-19 without masks, while 38 percent say they always wear a mask in public. 50 percent say they have resumed pre-pandemic activities without masks and distancing. At the end of the show, in an instant poll of Morning Media Update viewers, 50 percent said they are still masking in public, 10 percent said they are not, and 40 percent said they are “somewhat” masking in public.
Lauren Lucht discussed what causes anxiety and depression and said it’s a lot more that a chemical imbalance. Many times, it’s a non-biological problem that can’t be fixed with just a pill. The pandemic has turned people’s lives upside down and led to a big increase in those conditions, even with what seems like a light at the end of the tunnel. She says anxiety and depression is your brain trying to tell you something and advises those who are unsure about restrictions being lifting to keep doing what’s made you feel safe. She says it’s been fascinating to note that those who had anxiety and depression before the pandemic have actually done better. That’s because with many others now feeling the same thing, they realize they are not alone. They get the feeling that we’re all in it together and will band together to beat the virus. On the flip side, those who didn’t already have significant levels of depression and anxiety really feel the difference, with many traditional coping mechanisms now gone. A silver lining for many has been a new perspective on life and a new opportunity to look at what really counts. Working from home, for example, has shown a lot of people what they’re missing outside the office. She says it can be depressing dealing with someone who is set in their ways and refuses to get vaccinated. She encourages people to separate science from their belief system as much as possible, not be judgmental, and seek the truth from trusted sources like your doctor. If you want to wear a mask, do so, and don’t worry about what others think because she believes people think about you way less than you think they do. Above all, she says it’s important to take care of yourself, which can be easier said than done. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking five minutes a day to keep a journal of your thoughts.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, feels it’s safe for children to resume summer activities like sports, camps and picnics, but to remember there continues to be risk and you need to know how much you’re willing to accept. Having everyone in the family vaccinated, if they’re old enough, is much better. He says it’s okay if you don’t want to believe the science but be consistent in your beliefs. He thinks the same people who don’t believe in vaccines will certainly want cancer treatment or antibiotics for a sinus infection. He also says it’s a problem when home health caregivers don’t get vaccinated and he noted while COVID-19 testing in The United States is down, contact tracing continues.
Friday, June 4 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. It’s follow-up Friday where we answer media and community questions we didn’t have time for earlier in the week. We’ll also tell you about a fun new incentive for getting vaccinated at the Kansas Speedway this weekend. You’ll want to participate if you’ve always wanted to drive your car like a race car!
ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:
The meeting is available by Zoom, both video and by phone. To join the Zoom Meeting by video, click https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone dial-in Participants: For those without Zoom, call 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628.
The feed is also available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all.
Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
