The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 54 COVID patients today, 50 yesterday. Other significant numbers:

• 33 with the active virus today, 27 yesterday
• 8 in ICU, 7 yesterday
• 6 on a ventilator, 5 yesterday

Key points from today’s guests:

Morning Rounds – Roundup of Current News

Dr. Deetra Ford, neurologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• A new nasal spray drug has been approved by the FDA to treat migraines.
• It works on blocking receptors that cause the pain cascade for the migraine.
• The drug hopes to reduce some of the nausea and vomiting associated with other medications.
• Migraines are very difficult to manage and many of the existing medications are only about 40 to 60 percent effective.
  
  

Chelsey Smith, Community Blood Center

• Blood supplies as pretty low and there has been a whirlwind of things that have culminated in this drop in donations
• Many donors that haven't returned since the onset of the pandemic and we are battling cold and flu season as well as spring break.
• We're trending lower than we were last year. So at about the midway through February mark, we were seeing 2,000 fewer donors than last year.
• Visit SaveALifeNow.org to schedule a blood donation.

Focus Topic

Dr. Brett Woods, Ph. D., sport psychologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• As part of Women’s History Month, it is important to look closer at female athletes and what they’ve had to overcome for equality.
• In the past 25 years, research has shown that boys and girls start sports at about the same age, but by 14 years old, girls drop out twice as much as boys.
• The main issue addressed is confidence – for both females and males – but for female athletes, there are some unique challenges around appearance and body image that can affect self-esteem and self-worth. This can also lead to dietary issues.
• We’ve come a long way in providing mental health resources to young athletes, but we have more work to do.
• People sometimes wait until the wheels start coming off to ask for help, but we don't have to wait until like crisis moment. If you start to notice like changes in motivation, shifts in mood, or burnout starting to set in, we have to talk about it early so that we can get to having fun again in sports.

Kennedy Farris, libero/defensive specialist, University of Kansas Volleyball

• Kennedy believes that having psychological resources as a younger athlete would have been extremely helpful.
• Mindset help is huge, especially as a female athlete where confidence is key.
• Instead of “fake it till you make it”, she had a coach that taught her to “be it until you become it.”
• Confidence is everything, especially for young female athletes, so helping them be fearless and understand that they don’t have to be perfect will stay with them throughout their lives.

COVID Updates

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, The University of Kansas Health System

• A new study shows that people who received the bivalent COVID booster late last year had reduced risk of hospitalizations and severe outcomes.
• The greatest effect was on the elderly in helping protect them.

Wednesday, March 15 is the next Open Mics with Dr. Stites. Getting off the sideline and back in the game. One high school athlete went from crutches to an operating table, then back to the pitching mound. Our Women in Sports series turns its focus toward injuries, both healing them and preventing them. Plus a live report from Royals Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona.

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