Dear Patients and Friends,
We received news this week that 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. This is huge progress towards getting us all back to some semblance of “normal.” Here in Anne Arundel County, our vaccination rate is approaching 1/3 of all eligible adults, and the vaccine is being extended to all individuals ages 16 and up.
Again, progress.
However, we need to recognize that the positivity rate and new infection numbers are trending in the wrong direction. There has been some data that show youth sports as a driver of new COVID spread; this makes sense, as children under age 16 have not yet been approved for vaccine use. After months of being isolated and indoors, many of us have jumped on the opportunity to enroll our kids in youth sports this spring.
While the CDC’s guidelines do allow for fully vaccinated adults to congregate mask-less, remember that children are often asymptomatically carrying COVID and can spread it to unvaccinated individuals. Until the vaccines are approved for use in younger kids, let’s commit to wearing masks this spring and summer at all youth sporting events, and at all gatherings where unvaccinated people may be. Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have in reversing the current uptick in positive COVID cases, but it’s not the only tool. We have the ability to help stop this pandemic through continued use of masks, handwashing, and appropriate social distancing, especially when non-vaccinated individuals may be present.
We are always here for any of your questions. Please let us know how we can help keep you and your family safe.
If you haven’t yet received your COVID vaccine, contact our office for a list of locations providing the shot.
Yours In Health,