Three Things Thursday

Three questions I've been asked this week

Given that we are living through THREE global health emergencies (COVID, polio, and monkeypox), new vaccines are being approved, new outbreaks are occurring, and the reality that being healthy is truly a radical selfless act of loving others (read: we need to redefine what it means to be healthy), “Three Things Thursday” highlights three things I am paying attention to as an epidemiologist each week.

Hoping these posts help to educate and empower you to be healthy and create healthy communities.

Here we go… Three Things Thursday.

Do adults need a polio booster shot?

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization added the United States to its list of countries with circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus. Beth Mole, Senior Health Reporter at Ars Technica writes (and I strongly agree) that —

“Inclusion on the WHO's polio outbreak list is a new low point for the US. On the one hand, it reinforces a key global public health message in the campaign to fully eradicate that virus, which is that ‘any form of poliovirus anywhere is a threat to children everywhere.’ But it mainly spotlights the dangerous foothold that anti-vaccine sentiments have gained in the country over the past several decades.”

Given this (disappointing/disheartening/demoralizing) news, many people have asked if they (as adults) or their children need a booster/additional polio vaccine.

As background, most of us in the United States received four doses of the polio vaccine (at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years of age). If you were vaccinated as a child, a booster shot is NOT necessary at this point in time.

This recommendation could change if polio begins to spread explosively, but at this point in time —

Individuals who have received their polio vaccines do NOT need a booster shot.

A polio booster shot is recommended if and only if an individual is — traveling to a country where the risk of polio is increased, working in a lab with polio, or is a healthcare provider treating individuals with polio.

If you have not received your polio vaccines (or your kids or grandkids have not) — go get vaccinated today.

What about masking?

Flu season is about to begin. COVID Is spreading. And many counties across the US, like mine, have been classified as HIGH community spread of disease. When counties are classified as high community spread, many public health authorities recommend wearing a mask indoors.

Here’s what I think about masking —

Non-negotiable masking situations… at this point in time, I will always wear a mask on public transportation (bus, plane, subway). Additionally, I will wear a mask in a crowded indoor space (think of a concert hall, movie theater, or all-employee meetings at work).

I will have a mask with me — at school, at the grocery store, and when I go to a restaurant or coffee shop. If these places are crowded or air circulation is poor, I may put my mask on (especially if numbers are increasing in my community — and the numbers I am looking at are NOT just the CDC case data; I am keeping track of absenteeism in schools, what people are talking about, and wastewater numbers nearby). Should all of these numbers increase, I will be much more likely to wear a mask more regularly.

As I think about living in a world with COVID, I know that masking 24/7 is not the answer. Masks should be used as an extra layer of protection when there are clear indicators of increased community spread. And it could vary from day to day or activity-to-activity — having a mask on hand is a necessity.

Each day, I get up and put my keys, phone, and mask in my backpack.

There is never a wrong time to wear a mask, but wearing a mask every day all the time is not a sustainable solution. We need to use our masks to prevent disease spread when the risk of viral spread is high.

My Favorite Things

Several people (including some of my students) have asked me questions about my favorite books, podcasts, subjects to teach, family traditions, and quotes. Here’s a list of my current favorite things —

Book — I’m currently reading and highly recommend Rabid: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus. I also just finished (re)reading Vaccine. Both are page-turners!

Podcast — I LOVE This Podcast Will Kill You and Public Health on Call. But Mental Illness Happy Hour and One Year: 1986 are both really enjoyable.

Subject to Teach — Epidemiology, of course. But Biostatistics is a close second.

Family Tradition — pizza dinner on Friday nights. David makes pizza every Friday. We create new topping combinations and enjoy pizza together each and every Friday. And we have been doing so for about 12 years (or so) now. Favorite topping combinations — pesto, peas, and cheddar; roasted broccoli, garlic butter, and white cheddar; (veggie) ground beef, homemade BBQ sauce, corn, bell peppers, and cheddar; or cheddar, jalapenos, and (veggie) chicken.

Mantra — in the midst of misinformation and the dismissal of science and public health, I often tell myself —

“Shine bright!”

(Thanks to my yoga teacher, Kate, for introducing me to this phrase.)

Favorite article of clothing — my new t-shirt

Do you have other questions?