To Mask or Not to Mask is Still a Question

, , Preventative Health

Mask mandates are dropping rapidly across the country. It’s becoming unusual these days to see someone wearing a face mask for protection against COVID-19.

But is universal unmasking a good idea at this point? That’s what many of our patients have been asking, so our primary concierge doctors in Jupiter want to explore the pros and cons.

Latest research

One study, published earlier this month in the journal The Lancet Public Health, suggests that erring on the side of caution when it comes to masking could not only prevent a large number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, but also save a substantial amount of money for businesses, the healthcare system, insurance companies, taxpayers, and others.

The study was led by the Public Health Informatics, Computational, and Operations Research (PHICOR) team at the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), along with a team from the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. The team based their projections on the delta variant of the virus, but found even greater savings with the more infectious variants such as omicron and the newer BA.2.

Using a computer simulation model of the entire country, researchers projected a total savings of $2.9 billion in direct medical costs for anyone paying for health care if universal masking continued beyond certain thresholds. This includes individuals, insurance companies, and the healthcare system. They also projected a cost savings of $20.1 billion in productivity losses to employers and taxpayers.

The thresholds included in the study were an 80 percent vaccination rate across the population and a viral reproductive rate of five (that is, how contagious and infectious the current variant is). The researchers included a cushion of two to 10 weeks beyond achieving those two thresholds as optimal benchmarks to achieve their projected savings.

Mixed messaging

“The messaging about face mask use has been inconsistent throughout the pandemic as there has been back and forth about the use of face masks,” Bruce Y. Lee, CUNY SPH professor, executive director of PHICOR and the study’s lead author said in a statement. “First there was a focus on social distancing and then the focus turned to face mask-wearing. Then attention turned towards the COVID-19 vaccines once they came out.

“Instead, as long as the pandemic is continuing, there’s a need to consistently layer multiple interventions on top of each other, since each complement and enhance each other.”

Yet still only 65 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated, 66.2 percent of Floridians. Only 18 percent of children between the ages of five and 11 are fully vaccinated, and only 44 percent of Americans have received a booster vaccine (38.4 percent in Florida).

Therefore, continued widespread use of masks in the U.S. would appear to be beneficial, even though few seem to be doing so now.

Unpredictable virus

The problem with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is being able to predict what it will do next. Every time health officials believe it is under control or on the run, it pops up again in a slightly different form.

The latest entrant in the COVID-19 version of whack-a-mole is the even more contagious BA.2 subvariant of the omicron variant. In several Western European nations that have relaxed their various mitigation measures, BA.2 has caused as much as a 50 percent spike in cases within a matter of weeks once it appears.

So far, what happens in Europe doesn’t stay in Europe, at least as far as COVID-19 goes. Our case increases have been following theirs by a few weeks each time a new variant arises, and we’ve already seen several thousand cases of BA.2 infection here, the White House announced earlier this month.

While early indications are that it’s not hitting our population as hard as Europe’s, health experts are concerned because our vaccination rates are lower than theirs. This might mean we’ll see cases, hospitalizations, and deaths begin to increase again, possibly surpassing the case numbers seen in Europe.

Weighing the risks

So should you keep wearing a mask in indoor spaces? 

With every state either rescinding mask orders or planning to do so, it’s up to individuals to decide for themselves. If you’ve been fully vaccinated, aren’t in any of the high-risk categories for severe illness or live with someone who is, and are in an area of low transmission such as Florida is at the moment, you may feel comfortable in not wearing one, at least until another variant such as BA.2 begins to spread more widely.

If you prefer to err on the side of caution, however, wearing a mask indoors might protect you from becoming infected. Remember that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus—regardless of variant—is transmitted primarily through aerosols that linger for hours in the air. The vaccines offer one layer of protection, masks another.

“Why wouldn’t [the BA.2 subvariant of omicron] come here?” Kimberly Prather, a professor of atmospheric chemistry and an expert on aerosol transmission at the University of California at San Diego, asked The Washington Post recently.

“Are we vaccinated enough? I don’t know. So I’m wearing my mask still. I am the only person indoors [wearing a mask] and people look at me funny, and I don’t care,” she added.

omicron news

What We’ve Learned About the Omicron Variant

, , , , , , , Disease, Health Basics, Healthy Living, Preventative Health, Vaccinations

As we’ve just passed the second-year anniversary of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, our concierge primary care doctors in Jupiter think we should take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come in dealing with this often-deadly disease.

It may not seem like it, because we still have to wear masks many places and haven’t fully returned to pre-pandemic life, but we have made progress.

For instance, we know more about how it spreads (through the air, especially in enclosed spaces), and how to protect ourselves (safe, effective vaccines and high-quality masks). And even though we’re still in the grip of of this still-relatively new coronavirus, and we’ve also found effective ways to treat it (monoclonal antibodies and anti-viral drugs).

Omicron a good thing?

And, believe it or not, the omicron variant of the virus may have turned out to be relatively good news, even though over 2,000 Americans a day are still dying from it.

But because it appears less lethal than its predecessors, omicron may make the pandemic more manageable.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results of a study late last month showing that the omicron variant—which is now the dominant variant both here in the U.S. and around the world—causes less severe illness, fewer hospitalizations, and requires less time in isolation following exposure.

This is partly due to the large numbers of people who have been vaccinated and/or infected with COVID-19, as well as to the fact that the virus appears to concentrate its effects in the upper airways instead of settling deep in the lungs.

The downside is that omicron is far more transmissible than earlier variants or the original virus. This is why so many people are catching it, and why—due to the sheer numbers of infections— hospitals are still being overwhelmed and an average of 2,200 people a day are still dying from the coronavirus.

Light at the end of the tunnel?

But an NBC News analysis of COVID-19 case numbers at the end of January showed that Florida is one of the many states where omicron is no longer surging.

And chief White House medical advisor Anthony Fauci said in an interview with ABC’s “This Week” that he expects the wave to subside in “most” states by the end of February.”

“As we get into February . . . it is very likely that most of the states in the country will have turned around with their peak and are starting to come down with regard to cases and then obviously hospitalizations,” he said.

While cautioning that “our work is not done,” Hans Kluge, regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Europe, released a statement two weeks ago that offered a glimmer of hope to a pandemic-weary world.

“The pandemic is far from over, but I am hopeful we can end the emergency phase in 2022 and address other health threats that urgently require our attention,” he said in a statement.

“This pandemic, like all other pandemics before it, will end, but it is far too early to relax,” he added.

Effective weapons

One recent setback in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 was the finding from the CDC, confirmed by the drugs’ manufacturers, that two of the most common monoclonal antibodies used to keep at-risk individuals out of the hospital do not work against the omicron variant.

But again, there’s good news on that front, as well, because one monoclonal antibody—sotrovimab—is effective, and is still available at most hospitals even though Florida’s outpatient centers have closed.

Those who have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 (fatigue, cough, loss of smell or taste, fever) or have underlying risk factors (those over 65, diabetes, obesity, kidney, heart, or lung disease or those who are immunocompromised) can check with area hospitals to see whether they’re offering this treatment.

In addition, other effective weapons in the arsenal against COVID-19 include the intravenous antiviral treatment remdesivir and the newly authorized oral antiviral drugs, Paxlovid or molnupiravir.

Still work to do

Two years in, we still don’t have all the answers, and until more people in this country and around the world are fully vaccinated, SARS-CoV-2 will not be fully manageable.

Each person who remains unvaccinated not only puts themselves at risk, but others around them, as well. And each infection offers the virus another chance to mutate.

Speaking of mutations, you may have heard of another new mutation of the omicron virus that some are calling “son of omicron” or “stealth omicron” because it’s so difficult to detect in PCR tests.

The new variant, designated BA.2 (omicron is BA.1), was first reported in California in November. It has since been seen in isolated cases in Texas as well as other countries. However, while remaining cautious, at this point most virologists don’t think it’s more dangerous or more transmissible than omicron BA.1. We’ll let you know if we learn otherwise.

is popcorn healthy

In Praise of Popcorn

, , Nutrition

Our concierge doctors in Jupiter sometimes feel bad about all the tasty foods we suggest you avoid if you want to stay healthy. So we thought it would be nice for once if we could bring you some good news about a popular snack food.

When it comes to so-called “junk” foods, popcorn is one you don’t have to feel guilty about: with a couple of caveats, that is, which we’ll explain below. In fact, popcorn prepared the right way is so good for you, it doesn’t even belong on a list that includes cookies, chips, and ice cream.

Tiny Powerhouse

Popcorn by itself is a whole grain that includes the germ, the bran, and the hard outside endosperm. Together these components are packed with nutrients, including protein, vitamin E, several B vitamins, minerals, and healthy oils, along with fiber and antioxidants.

Here are some of the nutrients that popcorn provides:

  • vitamin B6
  • vitamin E
  • vitamin A
  • vitamin K
  • niacin
  • thiamin
  • riboflavin
  • pantothenic acid
  • folate

As an added bonus, it’s also naturally low in calories at just 90 calories. In addition, it’s also very filling due to its protein (three grams per three-cup serving) and high fiber content (three grams per three-cup serving), which can aid in weight loss.

Whole grains are an important component in a healthy diet because they’ve been shown to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Other benefits that are attributed to whole grains include lower cholesterol levels and improved digestion.

“When prepared well, popcorn is actually a pretty good snack,” Maya Vadiveloo, an assistant professor in the department of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Rhode Island, told the American Heart Association (AHA) News.

“It’s stable. It’s inexpensive. It’s fairly tasty. For people who might be struggling to eat adequate fruits or vegetable or other whole grains, it’s a low-risk snack to start.”

Now for the bad news

Corn was domesticated in Mexico more than 9,000 years ago. And there is some evidence that popcorn has been enjoyed for millennia by people all around the world—anywhere, that is, where corn is a staple of the diet.

Simply heating the kernels causes them to pop, so it’s not surprising that archaeologists have found evidence that early cultures in Central and South America enjoyed this snack. It’s probably safe to say, however, that they didn’t drench their popcorn in melted butter and top it off with handfuls of salt.

And that’s one of the caveats we mentioned above. This wholesome snack food can turn unhealthy pretty quickly when prepared the wrong way, i.e., in microwavable bags, with unhealthy oils, or when loaded up with the wrong toppings.

For example, “Popcorn at the movies is very different than popcorn made at home,” Vadiveloo said. “Even a small movie theater popcorn has significant calories and is very high in salt.

“Sodium is one of the leading risk factors for hypertension [high blood pressure] and stroke in general, so it’s something we do care about from a perspective of heart disease,” she explained, adding that a tub of movie theater popcorn can contain up to 1,090 calories and 2,650 milligrams of sodium.

Keep it healthy

Even if you make it yourself on the stove, however, the oil needed during the cooking process can double the amount of calories, nutritionist Julien Chamoun of RD Nutrition Counseling in New Jersey, tells CNN.

That’s why he recommends an air popper for your popcorn.  Both microwave popcorn and popcorn popped in oil will absorb those oils, so air popping is generally considered the healthiest way to prepare popcorn because it uses no oil at all.

If you don’t want to buy an air popper, however, you can cook it on the stove using healthier oils such as extra virgin olive oil, walnut, avocado, or canola oils, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Avoid palm and coconut oils, because they contain high amounts of saturated fats, and skip corn oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil entirely.

Mexican pop corn with hot sauce and chili powder

Chamoun recommends this method to make 16 cups (about four servings):

½ cup popcorn kernels

2 tablespoons oil

Pour the oil into a large pot, at least six quarts in volume. Add two or three kernels to the pot, then cover and place over medium-high heat until you hear the kernels pop.

Take the pot off the heat, put in the remaining kernels, and cover the pan. Wait 30 seconds, then return the pot to the burner and cook, shaking the pan frequently to ensure the unpopped kernels fall to the bottom to cook as well as to prevent burning the cooked popcorn, until the popping slows down.

Remove the pan from the burner, lift the lid carefully to allow the steam to escape, then transfer the popcorn to a large bowl. Toss it with a little olive oil or walnut oil to help any toppings stick to the popcorn.

The seasonings you can use are almost limitless, as long as you avoid or at least minimize the usual butter and salt. Try adding garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, nuts, paprika, chili flakes, grated cheese, Italian herbs . . . anything you like that’s low in sugar and salt.

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