Be Proactive
ISo, the CDC has been more than busy. They have relaxed some of the mask-wearing recommendations. Their recommendations, though based on the science that we are seeing a decrease in the numbers of infections and the vaccination rates have been jogging to the psyche. Are you comfortable with these recommendations? Are you ready to give up your mask? Do you trust your fellow citizen to be honest and to continue to wear a mask if they have not been vaccinated?
In an unscientific poll, most people do not trust that people who have not been vaccinated will be honest and continue to wear their mask. Those not vaccinated are at the most risk of acquiring COVID-19. Those vaccinated have a much less chance of infection and certainly a much less chance of death but they continue to wear their mask.
After over a year of being told to wear the mask, many feel vulnerable without them. They display masks with less hesitancy. A very understandable phenomenon. Getting back to normal when unable to trust that those around you are not following the rules will have its difficulty for some.
This pandemic has resulted in an increased mental health care need. In a recent survey, 48% of respondents noted an increase in stress.
61% of respondents noted an undesired change in their weight (weight gain).
67% noted a change in their sleep habits with 35% saying they slept more while 31% said they slept less.
23% of respondents said their alcohol consumption increased to cope with the stress.
47% in the survey said they delayed or canceled health care appointments due to the pandemic.
You will still be required to wear your mask when entering healthcare facilities. What I hope will happen though is less hesitancy for people to access their healthcare needs. There have been reports of delayed diagnosis of cancers which have resulted in missed opportunities for longevity.
Be proactive and schedule your mammograms at least 6 weeks after obtaining your COVID-19 vaccines. These can be done safely.
Be proactive and make sure you have secured your colon health by getting your colonoscopy or other studies that are appropriate for you. These are studies that can be done safely even in this area of COVID-19
Be proactive and make sure you are continuing your health care for your chronic diseases. How is your heart doing? How are your lungs doing? Are those kidneys functioning well? What is the state of your diabetes, is it well controlled? Hypertension is known as the silent killer because many do not realize they have it. Hypertension does not take a vacation. Do you know what your numbers are? Do you need to see a therapist to deal with the stress of your life? Have relationships frayed with too much together time? A good therapist maybe able to help.
We will return to our “normal” life one day and hopefully sooner than later. Be proactive with your health so you come out on the other side of this pandemic in better physical and mental health than you did when we were thrust into it.
