COVID Variants, Summer Wave and Fall Boosters (w/ Dr. Celine Gounder)
Aug 23, 2023
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Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Celine Gounder returns to discuss the new COVID variants Eris and BA 2.86, implications for fall, booster shots, and parallels between smallpox eradication and COVID pandemic in her podcast Epidemic. Show also explores factors contributing to COVID-19 spread, waning immunity, challenges of scheduling multiple vaccinations, types of long COVID, and history of smallpox.
The two new COVID variants causing concern in the U.S. are EG.5 (Eris) and BA 2.86, with EG.5 being the most dominant strain.
Dr. Celine Gounder discusses who should be getting COVID boosters now and who can wait for updated boosters to become available.
Deep dives
The Devastating Impact of Smallpox
Smallpox was a highly infectious and deadly disease characterized by pustules on the skin. It caused severe illness, scarring, and even death, particularly among children. Smallpox led to long-term physical and emotional consequences, such as blindness and social stigma due to scarring. The disease had a global impact, affecting communities around the world, including countries like India, Bangladesh, and the United States. The eradication of smallpox was a result of both top-down decisions by organizations like the World Health Organization and grassroots efforts by local healthcare workers. The lessons from the eradication of smallpox include the importance of collaboration, leveraging common interests, tailoring responses to local areas, and recognizing the unsung heroes involved in the effort.
Understanding Long COVID
Long COVID refers to lingering symptoms experienced by individuals after recovering from COVID-19. These symptoms can range from physical exhaustion to persistent illness and can vary in duration. Different forms of long COVID exist, including direct damage to organs and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. The severity and duration of symptoms can differ based on the severity of the initial COVID-19 infection and the presence of underlying medical conditions. Studying long COVID helps shed light on the long-lasting effects of viral infections and the importance of comprehensive healthcare for those affected.
Hope and Optimism in Healthcare
Staying optimistic in the face of challenges is crucial in healthcare. Despite the difficulties and uncertainties encountered, it is essential to maintain a positive mindset and continue fighting for better health outcomes. Emphasizing collaboration, local responses, and culture-specific approaches are key in addressing public health challenges. While there may be setbacks and skepticism, learning from successful efforts like the eradication of smallpox can serve as inspiration and guidance for the future.
Lessons for Future Pandemics
Reflecting on past experiences, such as the eradication of smallpox, offers valuable insights for tackling future pandemics. Lessons include forging alliances, collaborating on common interests, prioritizing local responses, and recognizing the contributions of healthcare workers on the ground. By dreaming big, staying optimistic, and embracing innovative solutions, public health efforts can make a significant impact on combating infectious diseases and protecting global health.
Two new COVID variants are making headlines this week as cases continue to rise across the United States. The new strain known as EG.5, also known as Eris, is now the most dominant strain in the U.S., while at the same time the more contagious strain BA 2.86 is confirmed to have hit U.S. shores. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Celine Gounder returns to the show to update us on these latest strains and tells us what to watch out for as we head into the fall. Plus, she tells Andy who should be getting boosters now and who can wait until the next round of updated boosters become available. Later in the show, Dr. Gounder discusses season 2 of her own podcast, “Epidemic,” which looks at how we eradicated smallpox and what parallels we can draw to the COVID pandemic.
Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/
Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165
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