The Eclipse, an Update on Measles, and Respiratory Virus Season Comes to an End
Three Things Thursday
Three Things Thursday highlights three things I am paying attention to as an epidemiologist each week. The highlight of this week was the eclipse.
Monday was magical.
Like millions of Americans, I gathered with friends and family to watch and celebrate the full solar eclipse.
Our group gathered on the roof of a parking garage in downtown Meadville. We had friends and family ranging in age from 8-80+ in our group. And they came from as far away as DC and Massachusetts.
Together — we watched as the moon lined up with the sun. We boo-ed when the clouds covered the sun. And then we were all mesmerized as the world around us became grey and the shadows changed.
Totality was magical.
The darkness. The 365* sunset. The cool air. The glow of the sun when it was blocked by the moon.
It was a magical day.
It was a day without devices (except for my camera). It was a celebration of nature, friendships, and being together.
The New York Times captured it best —
"For a nation pulled apart by every manner of division, the eclipse also offered a moment of unity, however brief. It was a reminder to everyone, on the same day and at the same time, that life can be magical. That being alive is a collective experience. That there is something astonishing about being part of the greater story of things."
Shared experiences — like the eclipse — are how we begin to fight and prevent the epidemic of loneliness in our country.
Being together is true healing.
The eclipse was magical in so many ways.
Here’s to never forgetting the experience and striving to recreate those feelings of togetherness in the days, months, and years to come…
In other news — measles cases continue to increase and I need to set the record straight regarding this increase in cases. Additionally, respiratory virus season is coming to a close. Details about what that means are below.
Hoping this post helps to educate and empower you
to be healthy and create healthy communities.
Measles Update
As of April 4, there were 113 measles cases in the United States (nearly double the number of cases seen in 2023). 58% of the cases have been hospitalized (for isolation and measles complications). And more than half of the cases are in Chicago.
As the number of cases increases, misinformation about the disease, how it spreads, and the cause of the spike in cases is increasing. Recently on X (formerly Twitter), misinformation about where measles is coming from has been prevalent.
Truth be told — the current measles outbreak is tied to international travel.
Individuals who are unvaccinated and exposed to the measles virus will most likely become sick with measles.
Vaccinations are on the decline across the country —
For our communities to be protected from measles, the entire country needs to have vaccination coverage greater than 95%.
Vaccines save lives and prevent illness.
Respiratory Virus Season Comes to an End
As we enter mid-April, the number of flu, COVID, and RSV cases continues to decline. And we coming to the end of respiratory virus season.
What does this mean?
It means that there is less virus circulating. And the chances of getting sick are lower now than they were a few months ago.
The chances of becoming ill are lower and the risks have decreased, but you can still get sick.
Flu, COVID, and RSV have not disappeared.
But for now — the chances of getting sick are decreasing.
Moving into spring and summer — we will probably NOT see many cases of flu or RSV. However, COVID is likely to rear its ugly/annoying head mid-summer, as we’ve had summer mini-spikes every year since 2020.
For now…
It is time to enjoy the springtime. It is time to enjoy all of the end-of-the-school-year celebrations. It is time to stop and smell the flowers.
If and when case counts (or the amount of virus in the wastewater) increase — I will share that news here and provide some recommendations for moving forward and preventing illness. Be sure you are subscribed —
Do you have any questions or pictures/memories from the eclipse —
And be sure to share this post with your friends and family —