Healthy New Year!

Is COVID-19 over? COVID-19 continues; however, there are a few new twists:

• COVID-19 rates are going up. Be aware of the infection levels where you are traveling.
• We are in the middle of the worst flu epidemic in three years.
• Children are presenting in the emergency room with RSV and COVID-19 at the same time. Last week the CDC expanded the use of the updated (bivalent) boosters to children 6 months to 5 years.
• New variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 (about 68% of infections in U.S.) are more contagious and evade the protection of both natural and vaccine-created immunity more effectively.
• Immunity wanes over time. That means that people who were vaccinated early—because they are more vulnerable to the virus—or had COVID-19 earlier, may have less protection now.

What are effective strategies for avoiding and spreading infection? Everything you already know how to do:

• Keep up-to-date on vaccination and boosters for COVID-19 and the flu.
• Wear a well-fitted, effective mask, ideally with an N-95 level of protection, when you are indoors in a group or crowd.
• Improve indoor air quality with ventilation and/or filtering, especially when groups are in small spaces, like homes.
• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Follow the right steps if you become sick.