While we are meeting virtually due the Covid, we continue to learn and grow together. Adult Forums take place immediately following Worship, via Zoom, twice a month and feature both members of the congregation and outside speakers.

 

Sunday, January 17, we heard from CLC member and infectious disease specialist Dr Phillip Mudd and Nurse Dianne Deck about their experiences in working with patients with Covid-19 and the latest information available on the virus and the vaccine. A summary of this Forum is below.

 

If you have ideas or suggestions contact Harriet Scholle. Email: hscholle3@gmail.com.

 

Dr. Phillip Mudd and Dianne Deck gave an update on the incidence of Covid-19 and the care of the hospitalized patients who suffer from it. Dr. Mudd started with good news: the number of diagnosed cases in the Saint Louis area is beginning to decline. Moreover that number is lower than projections had predicted. But mask wearing and distancing remain vital. Dianne Deck, a critical care nurse, is working in a special ICU at Barnes-Jewish that deals with COVID cases who have tested negative for the virus but still require intensive care. She reports that the work is both physically and emotionally draining—so much so that some healthcare providers are leaving the profession. Dr. Mudd urged everyone to sign up for a vaccine on their county’s website.

 

Links are provided below:

 

Mercy Health Systems https://www.mercy.net/forms/vaccinations/? hcmacid=a0h4p000006cqJC&utm_campaign=fy21_covid_vaccine_registration_missouri&utm_source=Media Relations&utm_medium=Media_PR&utm_content=covid_vaccinescheduling_pressrelease_missouri

 

St Louis City https://stlouisdph.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08qM4vOqB5dJniR

 

St Louis County https://stlhealthandwellness.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6usqqPn7mArUskZ

 

St Charles County https://www.sccmo.org/2162/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information

 

Trials have shown that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are 95% protective seven days after the second shot. Dr. Mudd said the recommenced intervals between shots 21 days for Pfizer, 28 days days for Moderna is bases on the data from the phase 3 trials. He added that trails are underway to determine the safety and efficacy of the vaccines on children, but at this point vaccines are not recommended for them. Reported side effects of the vaccines are sore arm, slight headache, fever and occasionally a slight fever. Both Dianne and Dr. Mudd, who both had shots, report arm tenderness of varying degrees that lasted a day or less. Dianne offered a tip: To reduce soreness relax your arm and think peaceful thoughts during the injection.

 

Martin and Melissa Allen shared some information on the Pfizer vaccine. Here are those links:

1. cvdvaccine.com This website provides access to the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers that may answer their questions.

2. Additional questions not addressed at the above site can be directed to the Medical Information portal at Pfizermediainfo.com.

3. Results from the clinical trial on the Safety and Efficacy of the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine were recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine. A summary of the results, as well as the full length journal article may be accessed at the link below. https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577/suppl_file/nejmoa2034577_research-summary.pdf

4. The public presentation Pfizer provided to the FDA panel for consideration of the Emergency Use Authorization may be accessed at the link below. https://youtu.be/_fykVJuouno