126 Update: COVID & Omicron in Aging (1.6.22 Edition)

 In This Episode:

This episode covers the latest on the ongoing Omicron surge, including whether it’s milder in older adults, what’s we’ve learned about rapid testing for Omicron, what to know about the current hospital situation, how to stay safer during the surge, and more.

The episode also addresses these FAQs:

• But isn't Omicron supposedly milder ?
• Do COVID tests (PCR and rapid) work against Omicron?
• Do the COVID vaccines still work , and will they work against Omicron?
• Are the COVID vaccines effective in older adults?
• Why get vaccinated/boosted if you're just going to get COVID anyway?
• What about those new COVID treatments?
• Shouldn't we just let it rip ?
• And if I test positive for COVID?
• Is it safe to .

Related Episodes:

125 Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (12.16.21 Edition)

Related Resources:

• BHWA:
  • COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates
  • COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
• CDC:
  • COVID 19 Quarantine and Isolation
  • Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
• FDA: Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
• From medical journals and research groups:
  • Imperial College London Omicron severity report (Dec 22, 2021)
• From news and other media:
  • NY Times COVID Tracker
  • The C.D.C. Is Hoping You'll Figure Covid Out on Your Own (Zeynep Tufecki, Jan 5, 2022)
  • Emerging Data Raise Questions About Antigen Tests and Nasal Swabs (Jan 5, 2022)
  • CDC recommits to isolation and quarantine guidelines without tests (Jan 4, 2022)
  • Pfizer Investor Presentation (covers Paxlovid and more) (Dec 17, 2021)
• Twitter sources that helped with this update:
  • Dr. Eric Topol (good for all kinds of COVID data and info)
    • Graphic for PCR and rapid tests here
  • Dr. Michael Mina (good for understanding COVID tests & more)
  • John Burn-Murdoch (good for COVID data stories, mostly UK but some US)
  • Zeynep Tufecki (smart takes on COVID & more)
  • Dr. Ashish Jha (good for pithy common-sense takes on COVID)