Morning Medical Update Friday 11-19-21

The numbers of COVID patients at The University of Kansas Health System are higher today. 23 with the active virus are being treated, up from 18 yesterday. Only three are vaccinated. Nine of those patients are in the ICU, up from eight yesterday. Three are on ventilators, the same as yesterday. 19 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, up from 17 yesterday. That’s a total of 42 patients, up from 35 yesterday. HaysMed has 12 active and seven recovering, for a total of 19 patients.

On today’s Morning Medical Update, we were joined by Dr. Amber Schmidtke, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of St. Mary. During the COVID pandemic, she rose to acclaim as a science communicator, able to effectively translate complex public health data in ways that were meaningful for the general public through a widely read newsletter and podcast. She shared startling new research by one of her students, Jake Dodd, on the difference masks make in the pandemic. They joined Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer of The University of Kansas Health System and Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, to answer community questions.

Before getting to the main topic, doctors discussed breaking news that the FDA has authorized booster shots for everyone 18 and older, regardless of health status. It now goes to the CDC, which is expected to give final approval. They noted numbers across the country are up 33 percent in the last two weeks, but were happy to hear Wyandotte County extended its mask mandate until January 6^th. They wish all counties had done the same thing saying it looks like the next surge is at our doorstep. They warn without more vaccinations and masking we’ll have a duplicate of last winter. They pointed out that you can get your first shot or a booster at the Chiefs game this Sunday between 11 and 3.

Dr. Schmidtke and Jake looked at data from nine area counties and found those without a mask policy had a 24 percent higher death rate. They also found a death rate 36 percent higher in counties with lower than average vaccination rates. Their biggest message is that the numbers rise when masks and vaccinations are down. Dr. Schmidtke says we must remember these are not just numbers, they are people, and loved ones are dying because not enough are getting vaccinated and wearing masks. That combined with holiday family gatherings will most likely lead to another hard winter with COVID.

Here are the media and community questions in the order the panel addressed them, followed by the short answer. The time code for the question is in parentheses. See the video for their full answers and comments.

(20:40) Will The University of Kansas Health System be holding booster clinics for those 18 and older in Kansas? Yes, but probably not to the same extent as last year when the vaccines first came out. They are much more available now in doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies.
(21:40) Why are we so low in vaccination rates? It feels like we are failing with this pandemic. Many people still don’t trust the vaccine because of politics and misinformation. They are safe and incredibly effective for everyone.
(24:50) Is the study available online? Not yet, but will probably be on Dr. Schmidtke’s blog (see above link) soon.
(26:45) Even with masks coming off, if we still wear one do we still have some protection? Yes, even in those high risk situations, where you’re with others who are not wearing them, you still have protection.
(29:40) Aren't these new antiviral pills for COVID similar to ivermectin? Ivermectin is a good drug. But it’s an anti-parasitic drug. A parasite is totally different from a virus. Ivermectin has no effect on COVID and could harm you. It also has no similarity to the upcoming antiviral pills to treat COVID symptoms.
(31:40) Do you think it's the promise of the antivirals that's making cities more comfortable lifting the mask mandates? Fatigue is playing the biggest role. People are tired of wearing masks. Unfortunately, COVID is not done with us.
(32:30) Why are they seeing a surge in Europe? Should we expect the same wave to come through the U.S.? The surge in Europe is among the unvaccinated, and we will definitely see the same thing here.
(38:10) If we do an antibody test and still have a strong response would you still recommend the booster? Yes. Natural antibodies don’t last nearly as long as the vaccine and a booster.
(39:35) How long after a COVID symptomatic infection should someone wait to get vaccinated? Once they are no longer symptomatic, they can get vaccinated immediately.
(40:45) How did pandemics go away before the days of vaccines? Human immune systems would eventually adapt or the virus would die out from lack of new people to infect. But the population was not as dense as today and people were more isolated. They also didn’t travel far, especially around the country or the world like today, which is how the virus spreads so rapidly.

Just before closing, the crew shared some exciting news. A story produced by our team, Tragedy Saves a Life, won the Sharecare Emmy Award for Health and Science News, and was announced by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s medical reporter. The inspiring story showed how one family’s tragic loss saved a stranger through the ultimate gift of organ donation. Congratulations to all!

Monday, November 22 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. We’ll help you stay healthy mentally as we get ready for the holiday stress during the pandemic. We’ll show you three simple things that you can do that will make you feel grateful, proud, and happy.

NOTE: Journalists should rejoin the Morning Medical Update at 8am as doctors are growing too busy again for individual interview requests. Please bring questions or send to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu until further notice. Thanks for all you do and helping to keep the community safe with your reporting.

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Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.

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(20:40) Will The University of Kansas Health System be holding booster clinics for those 18 and older in Kansas? Yes, but probably not to the same extent as last year when the vaccines first came out. They are much more available now in doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies.
(21:40) Why are we so low in vaccination rates? It feels like we are failing with this pandemic. Many people still don’t trust the vaccine because of politics and misinformation. They are safe and incredibly effective for everyone.
(24:50) Is the study available online? Not yet, but will probably be on Dr. Schmidtke’s blog (see above link) soon.
(26:45) Even with masks coming off, if we still wear one do we still have some protection? Yes, even in those high risk situations, where you’re with others who are not wearing them, you still have protection.
(29:40) Aren't these new antiviral pills for COVID similar to ivermectin? Ivermectin is a good drug. But it’s an anti-parasitic drug. A parasite is totally different from a virus. Ivermectin has no effect on COVID and could harm you. It also has no similarity to the upcoming antiviral pills to treat COVID symptoms.
(31:40) Do you think it's the promise of the antivirals that's making cities more comfortable lifting the mask mandates? Fatigue is playing the biggest role. People are tired of wearing masks. Unfortunately, COVID is not done with us.
(32:30) Why are they seeing a surge in Europe? Should we expect the same wave to come through the U.S.? The surge in Europe is among the unvaccinated, and we will definitely see the same thing here.
(38:10) If we do an antibody test and still have a strong response would you still recommend the booster? Yes. Natural antibodies don’t last nearly as long as the vaccine and a booster.
(39:35) How long after a COVID symptomatic infection should someone wait to get vaccinated? Once they are no longer symptomatic, they can get vaccinated immediately.
(40:45) How did pandemics go away before the days of vaccines? Human immune systems would eventually adapt or the virus would die out from lack of new people to infect. But the population was not as dense as today and people were more isolated. They also didn’t travel far, especially around the country or the world like today, which is how the virus spreads so rapidly.