As COVID-19 enters its third year, the recently-emerged Omicron variant is tearing through the country. Now responsible for the bulk of new infections, this variant is particularly contagious – and therefore requires a special degree of caution. Although most of us are currently suffering from pandemic fatigue, letting your guard down now only stands to make you more vulnerable. So, in the interest of avoiding Omicron, stay clear of the following mistakes.
Losing Touch with Your Physician
While COVID-19 and the Omicron variant should be foremost on everyone’s mind right now, this doesn’t mean it’s okay to neglect other healthcare-related matters. As such, staying in regular contact with your general physician should still be among your top priorities. For many of us, seeing our doctors on a consistent basis is crucial to our continued good health. Furthermore, staying current with annual physicals and other important examinations is a tenet of preventative care.
Anyone who’s currently without a regular doctor should make a point of correcting this mistake posthaste. For example, people in the market for general family medical practice Redbank, OH should have no problem finding an assortment of fantastic options.
So, if you have concerns about in-person appointments, get in touch with your physician to see if they’d be willing to see you remotely. Depending on the type of visit, your physical presence may not even be required. Fortunately, in light of the pandemic, a growing number of healthcare professionals have become amenable to remote visits.
If you believe you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting non-emergency symptoms of the novel coronavirus, reach out to your regular doctor. They may be able to help confirm your suspicions and recommend your next steps.
Assuming Vaccination Makes You Invincible
To be clear, everyone who’s of an appropriate age and doesn’t suffer from a medical condition that precludes them from vaccination needs to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This simple step is not only crucial to protecting yourself against the novel coronavirus, it’s also a boon to public health as a whole.
However, contrary to how many members of the populace are acting, vaccination is not a “get out of COVID free” card. While getting vaccinated will provide you with considerable protection against serious and fatal infection, it shouldn’t be regarded as a magical forcefield against all things COVID-related. It should also be understood that the same applies to most vaccines, not just the ones created to combat COVID-19 – lest you take this to mean that the COVID vaccines are ineffective.
So, even if you’re fully vaccinated, you’d be wise to continue taking common-sense precautions. For instance, you should never enter a business or any other public locale without a high-quality mask – regardless of whether mandatory masking rules are in effect. You should also avoid large gatherings and congested locales, as these can be hotbeds of infection.
Not Getting Your Vaccine Booster(s)
While vaccination may not make you invincible against the novel coronavirus, it will provide you with a crucial immunity boost. Additionally, in order for COVID-19 vaccination to be maximally effective, it will need to be followed up with a booster shot. As such, people aged 12 and up whose initial vaccination series consisted of the Pfizer-BioNTech vax and adults whose initial vaccination series consisted of the Moderna vax should get a booster at least five months past their second shot, while adults who received the Johnson & Johnson’s Jansen vaccine can receive a booster at least two months after their initial shot.
Many immunocompromised individuals are now eligible to receive a second booster. If you’re unclear on whether you qualify for an additional booster shot or if an appropriate amount of time has passed since your initial, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor. Furthermore, if the initial booster shot is any indication, additional boosters may soon be okayed for the non-immunocompromised, as well.
Although a fair number of people still refuse to take COVID-19 seriously, it can’t be denied that the novel coronavirus and its many variants represent a very real threat. Given how contagious the Omicron variant is, anyone continuing to treat the pandemic like a joke is essentially tempting fate. Even if you’re fully vaccinated – and boosted – you’re liable to regret relaxing your guard at this important juncture. In order to provide yourself and those around you with maximum protection against Omicron – and COVID-19 in general – make a point of avoiding the blunders discussed above.
The post Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing with Omicron appeared first on 360PRWire.
