The University of Kansas Health System reports a slight increase in the numbers of COVID patients today. 47 with the active virus are being treated, up from 46 yesterday. 19 of those patients are in the ICU, the same as yesterday. 11 of those ICU patients are on ventilators, down from 12 yesterday. 15 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, down from 18 yesterday. That’s a total of 62 patients, down from 64 yesterday. HaysMed has nine total patients today, the same as yesterday.
On today’s Morning Medical Update, Dr. Anne Wishna, an ophthalmologist at the health system, discussed eye health during the pandemic. Also Dr. Greg Nawalanic, clinical psychologist offered advice for coping with back to school anxiety, especially about masks.
Before getting to today’s topics, the panel addressed new CDC guidelines about the safety of getting the COVID vaccine while pregnant. They say it just reinforces what we’ve heard from experts all along and that those who are pregnant have a slightly higher risk of more severe disease and going to the ICU. Dr. Kevin Ault, OBGYN and member of the federal advisory panel for COVID-19, will have more on this tomorrow.
Dr. Wishna discussed eye problems that have become more common during the pandemic. One is a stye, like a pimple on the eyelid, which can cause painful swelling and red eyes. She believes it’s related to stress. She described the best treatment, which involves warm compresses. She confirms we can get COVID through the eyes because they are a mucous membrane like the mouth and nose. It’s why she and other doctors wear eye protection when seeing patients and strongly recommends that and masks when traveling. She also had good tips for those with glasses that fog when wearing a mask. One is flipping the ear loop around to help vent the mask downward. Another is to make sure the mask is tucked under the bridge of the glasses to create a seal. She also recommends anti fog sprays or even just a little water and dish soap. She explained why she was one of 200 area doctors, who are also parents, who signed a letter to 17 area school boards strongly urging them to adopt masking policies. The letter pointed out masks are safe and effective, kids under 12 are not vaccinated and the Delta variant is a game changer. She says the physicians felt there is a vocal group of people who are anti-mask and wanted to point out that there is a silent majority who are pro-mask and want to do the right thing. She noted it only takes one unmasked COVID-positive kid to force a whole classroom to quarantine. She also said blue light glasses for kids are not necessary. And she said Mom was right, eating carrots is actually good for your eyes because of the vitamin A.
Dr. Nawalanic had a lot to say about how the pandemic has divided our society. One of the biggest battles is over mask wearing. He says the data is clear they are effective. Unfortunately, he says, the rollback of mask mandates put too much faith in us as humans, that everyone would just follow the rules and do the right thing. Those who hated them were dying to take them off, and were for the most part also unvaccinated, which is fueling the recent surge of the Delta variant. He says it’s led to resentment by those who have followed the rules toward those who have not. He stressed kids do not have a problem with masks and do well in school with them. But many parents are firmly against masks, and the kids follow what the parents establish in the home. He says, “It breaks my heart and makes me hurt inside,” to see kids caught in the middle like that. “We need to look at the importance of parents leading the way. And when we’ve got parents who are steering their kids to whatever their belief system is, they need to look at real, actual credible information from medical professionals, not just opinions. It’s time for us to wake up and accept that reality because if not, it’s our peril.” He strongly believes both sides, no matter what their politics, need to come together and recognize that the actual enemy is not each other but COVID. For those who believe this is a battle of liberty, he reminds us, “Liberty has always come with a price. And in this moment, that price is social responsibility. Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. So let’s do it!”
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, said there is no specific kind of mask that’s better for kids. Any mask they will wear is good. Regarding some area doctors who are writing mask exemptions for kids, he says there may be some legitimate reasons, but most all children can tolerate a mask. He believes children need to be in classrooms to avoid the mental stress of isolation, and masks will allow that. He says, “One of the biggest myths is that COVID doesn’t affect children, which is absolutely not true.” As for a vaccine booster, he says unless you have a specific need, such as being immunocompromised, there is no recommendation for additional dosing right now. He said the medical team strives every day to bring the most up- to-date and accurate medical information to help us make the best decisions for us and our families.
Friday, August 13 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. It's Follow Up Friday so we will get to your questions from the week. And yesterday, CDC vaccination guidelines changed to include pregnant and breastfeeding women, as they are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19. We hear from Dr. Kevin Ault, OBGYN and member of the federal advisory panel for COVID-19.
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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