I wanted to post something to help people get answers to the questions I get about the Covid-19 vaccines that will be available soon.  Without reading any further, I refer you to two podcasts.  The first is with Dr. Peter Attia.  You will want to listen to his episode with Paul Offit M.D.  If you have never listened to one of Attia’s podcasts, they are excellent.  The material is varied, there is no commercial influence, and he is over-the-top on detail and fact. 

The second is ZDoggMD.  You will want to listen to ZDogg’s visit with Paul Offit M.D. again.  Yes, there is some overlap and similar coverage but they are different enough that both are worth listening to.  They came out a few days apart, so with the speed at which things are moving these days, there will be some updated information.  While you are at it, check out some of ZDogg’s videos–very entertaining!!  Both podcasts are free.  You do not need to read any further here to get my main point, but I welcome you to do so.

Now, for a brief editorial.  You will hear a lot of crap about Covid, vaccines, conspiracy theories etc.  The above sources are legit and factual.  Dr. Offit and Dr. Attia talk about the development of these vaccines.  How and why things have happened quickly as they have.  The truth–the White House has basically given the green light to fund development.  The companies were able to do phase 3 trials much more quickly (phase 3 is human testing before FDA approval).  This is the one thing perhaps the White House has done well in management of this pandemic–we all need to understand this.  The FDA has a couple of meetings in the next week to hear from experts like Dr. Offit and review the data before approval is granted.  As you may have heard, England has already approved the Pfizer vaccine.  All of this has happened quickly do to the need being funded by our White House.

This pandemic has sucked for us all!  It IS real, it is not a conspiracy, it has stressed us out and divided us (Dr Offit, in ZDogg’s podcast talks about the other morbidity with this virus–not just death).  But despite how much we have been quarantined, despite hating wearing masks, take a look around and recognize that these things have been unifying.  Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my family traveled to Kentucky to see my son–we all met there and stayed in the woods:)   In that brief time I traveled through 7 states in my vehicle.  EVERY place was following the same rules for service, exposure, masks, distancing.  It struck me that the things we hate and that have stressed us have actually been unifying.  We ARE working together to get back closer to normalcy.  With the recent campaign and election, I think it was difficult to see this.  In an odd way the visualization of those things that have made us weary was energizing to me.  In addition, I heard an interview with two politicians yesterday.  One Dem, one Rep, both belong to the Problem Solvers Caucus.  I had not heard of this.  What an amazing discussion about our common problems, working together, understanding that we don’t agree on everything so we have to work together to define what is best for all.  Again, this is sentiment not seen or heard recently, but is so necessary to keep us working towards what Matters and quit fighting each other–we are on the same team.  The next few months will be interesting, amazing, educational….Please, look for the good, the real science, not the divisive conspiracy theories.  If your opinions are not changed or influenced by the above podcasts, then you need to get a book “Mistakes Were Made…but not by Me“, Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson–and read it.  It will hopefully open your eyes to the world around you.  

We at Integracare will continue to discuss our practices daily and adapt to keep serving our patients as best as possible.  

Dr. Halstrom