The number of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System continues to drop. 25 people with the active virus are being treated today, down from 27 yesterday. Of those patients, eight are in the ICU, the same as yesterday. Seven of those ICU patients are on ventilators today, up from six yesterday. 50 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, up from 47 yesterday. That’s a total of 75 patients, up from 74 yesterday. In addition, HaysMed has a total of 17 COVID-19 inpatients, down from 19 yesterday, with seven of those active patients and 10 in the recovery phase.

            On today’s Morning Media Update, Amanda Cackler, director of Quality and Safety, joined Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, to answer community questions.

                                                            (video here)

Here are the community questions in the order the panel addressed them, followed by the short answer. See the video for their full answers and comments. Time code for the question is in parentheses.

• (1:40) There are places in the world treating COVID-19 patients with ivermectin as the standard of care. Are we using that here in the United States? No, the NIH recommends against using it.
• (2:58) Will boosters in the future be specific to the vaccine we originally received? Probably not, as the vaccine will most likely change each year to keep up the changes in the virus.
• (4:30) I take anti-inflammatory medication for arthritis. Will it interfere with the COVID-19 vaccine? Each patient is different and needs to consult their doctor. But generally, the vaccine will be effective.
• (5:45) If we don't know how effective or how long the vaccines work, what freedoms do we get with the vaccine? We really don’t get new freedoms. Vaccine benefits are less severe reactions to COVID-19 and fewer deaths, but right now we must not change our behaviors of masking and social distancing.
• (8:05) When the data reads that the single dose J&J vaccine is overall 66% effective, does that mean it prevents infection in 66% of people, or does it mean it prevents severe infection 66% of the time? And, why is it more or less effective in different regions? It refers to the total number of infections in patients who did get the vaccine compared to those who did not. Johnson & Johnson did have a South African arm to their study.
• (9:10) Will we need to get boosters for the virus variants, if we've already received our first and/or second dose of vaccine?  Boosters will most likely be needed, probably once a year. They will be adjusted for the current strains of COVID-19, similar to flu shots.
• (10:30) Are you worried about any uptick in COVID-19 cases following the Super Bowl? There will probably be an uptick because it’s our human nature to gather for big games like the Super Bowl.
• (12:00) Regarding double masking, what is the best combination of masks to wear? Cloth plus disposable? Two cloth masks? Should I wear filters in both masks? Show me how to tie the new knot! No best combination has been studied. Dr. Fauci made an off the cuff remark that “It makes sense” to wear two masks, but the CDC does not officially recommend it. There’s no harm for those who want to wear two masks and can tolerate it. At 14:35 on the video, Dr. Hawkinson demonstrates how to tie a knot in your mask using the “Hot Dog Bun Method,” which helps achieve the goal of all masks, a tight fit.
• (18:40) I had a reaction to the first vaccine dose with a low fever, body aches and pains. Do I even need the second dose?  Am I safe with one shot? You get some protection with the first dose but getting the second dose gives the most protection.
• (19:33) In discharging patients who had severe and prolonged illness from COVID-19, what medications do you prescribe for them at home?  Do they typically go home on blood thinners, steroids and oxygen? There is no standard regimen of medications patients are sent home with. Each patient’s needs are different.
• (20:40) How have vaccine reactions been among people with autoimmune diseases?  There have been no specific problems reported and no evidence of any in clinical trials.
• (21:40) What will the impact of the new virus variant be on the spread of infection in our region?  Have you seen any noticeable data changes that concern you? And, how do we protect ourselves against these mutations?  The decreasing numbers of COVID-19 cases suggest our behaviors of increased masking and social distancing are working. Those should protect us no matter the variant.
• (23:40) I had the Pfizer vaccination two weeks ago with no side effects, not even a sore arm. Please tell me the vaccine is working! Yes, it is working. Not everybody will experience side effects.
• (24:25) Why does the questionnaire before getting vaccinated ask if you are allergic to latex? It’s a generic vaccine question. There is nothing related to latex in the COVID-19 vaccines.
• (25:05) How long will this vaccine last? The hope is it will last for a year.
• (26:35) A friend had COVID-19 at the end of December and was fairly sick for a month. Last week he had his first vaccine which hit him hard and he felt like he had COVID-19 all over again. Is this common and will the second dose be worse? Every individual has different reactions. It’s still vital to get the second dose.
• (28:15) A study in Israel shows the Pfizer vaccine cuts transmission. Are you aware of that study? We hope it’s true but have not seen the actual study, just news reports.
• (29:40) My sisters and I have all had both doses of the vaccine. Is it safe for us all to take our masks off when we’re around each other indoors? The advice is the same whether you’ve had the vaccine or not. If you’re with people outside your bubble, continue to wear a mask and observe social distancing.
• (31:07) A couple of friends recently recovered from COVID-19 but are still unusually fatigued. Any supplements or medications that will help? Not much we can do about it. Take things one day at a time and consult your primary care doctor for specific problems like brain fog, shortness of breath and fatigue.
• (33:50) How does a beard affect mask effectiveness? Quite a bit. It can affect both you and others by not providing an adequate barrier if the mask doesn’t fit tightly around both nose and mouth.
• (35:00) Is the Pfizer vaccine effective for someone with CLL, a lymphoma? It should be, but best to get advice from your hematologist.
• (35:55) I got my first shot on February 3 and my arm got sore. A week later I got a rash with itching. Is that a delayed reaction? New published articles show those delayed reactions can happen in some people, but it’s nothing to worry about.
• (36:60) Are we seeing a blood sugar spike in diabetics after they get the vaccine? There’s no data to suggest that.
• (38:10) After receiving the first dose, the provider gave me information on how to register with a CDC site called V-Safe to report side effects and symptoms. Should people do it? Yes, it helps inform the nation and those studying the vaccine about side effects.

            Monday, February 15 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. We explain a little-known side effect that some breast cancer patients, especially those with a new diagnosis, may experience from the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Jamie Wagner, Chief, Division of Breast Surgical Oncology and Dr. Onalisa Winblad, Division Director of Breast Imagining, Department of Radiology, join to help us better understand the side effect and what you need to tell your doctor.  It may make a difference on where you get your shot! 

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