A one-two punch of COVID-19 and the flu hits California, making residents uncomfortable. had to go to the hospital — It can interfere with your daily routine and upend your vacation plans.
But while both diseases are widespread, officials stress that Californians are not helpless.There are steps everyone can take to better protect themselves and those around them. I have.
Here are some tips:
get your shot
Vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza are available. Officials say rolling up sleeves is a powerful way to prevent serious illness.
Updated COVID-19 booster shot is now available In September, but most people aren’t getting it. Statewide, her 19.4% of eligible residents received additional doses. according to California Department of Public Health.
new divalent booster Formulated to protect not only the original coronavirus strain, but also the Omicron subspecies that dominated the country for years — i.e. BA.5.
Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, said:
1 in 100 UC San Francisco employees and students who get the latest COVID-19 booster has contracted the coronavirus. But among those who haven’t been vaccinated, one in 20 is infected, said Ralph Gonzalez, Ph.D., vice president of the University of California, San Francisco, on campus recently in his town hall. Told.
“If you have a good strain match between the booster and the vaccine, you can actually prevent quite a few infections,” Gonzalez said.
Nor is it too late to get a major COVID vaccine series. In October, an unvaccinated Californian was twice as likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than those who were vaccinated, and he was twice as likely to die from the disease. He was three times taller. status data show.
Influenza vaccinations also align very well with the flu strains circulating this season, officials say.
“Because any case of influenza can eventually become severe, especially if it spreads to high-risk populations, this includes the elderly and the elderly. infant —Know that it’s never too late to get a seasonal flu shot.
Officials also noted that residents will have access to both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.
“It’s really easy. It’s completely safe. You can. Your immune system is very good at processing two vaccines at once,” Jha said Friday.
wash hands and cover coughs and sneezes
It sounds simple, but it’s true.Viral diseases such as influenza are common respiratory syncytial virus — or RSV — is spread by contact, such as touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face.
“Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available,” says Ferrer.
Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces is also a good idea, Gonzalez says.
avoid touching face As many as possible is also a good idea. Influenza is transmitted by touching a virus-contaminated surface and then touching one’s hands, eyes, or mouth.
“Very good research shows that if you can double down on your efforts to be vigilant about this, you increase your chances of not getting the flu.
On the other hand, coronavirus Mainly sent That is, when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Therefore, it is important to cover your face with your elbow or a tissue when sneezing or coughing.
encourage sick people to stay home
It would be a shame to cancel the event, especially after the hiatus of the past two years, but even a tickling throat or worsening weather should be a big warning sign to stay home.
take a quick test before the event
Rapid coronavirus tests can help identify asymptomatic people who are infected and contagious before they attend gatherings. is useful when implementing
Hold social events outside or open windows
The risk of viral transmission is reduced when events are held outdoors. We recommend serving drinks and food outdoors if possible. Opening doors and windows and using an air purifier can also help improve ventilation.
Consider masking
Officials and experts say wearing masks indoors in public places reduces the risk of transmission from both COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases by blocking respiratory particles that can spread disease. says it can be reduced.
According to the California Department of Public Health, “Among other safety measures, wearing a mask indoors in public places can effectively slow the spread of respiratory viruses that make children and the elderly very ill.” I can do it”.
Masking can also “significantly slow the spread and protect infants and young children who are not immune and too young to wear a mask.” wrote on twitter this week.
sleep, exercise and stress management
Gonzales said:
“And what we know from studies of pre-race medical students and marathon runners is that stress, whether mental or physical, increases the risk of contracting respiratory viruses. , the risk increases two to three times,” Gonzalez said.
He suggested making sure to practice the following health habits:
• Get enough sleep.
• Move your body.
• Manage stress.
• Stay hydrated.
• Eat nutritious foods.
Vitamin C helps
Vitamin C may help prevent infections.
Gonzalez said he’s a long-distance runner and that 50% to 70% of the time long-distance runners get a cold or flu is after a big event.
“Randomized trials have shown that taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C once a day can cut that risk in half,” says Gonzalez. “And before the finals, there was also a study on vitamin C in sleep deprived and stressed people showing that vitamin C helps with that as well.”
