As dismay drivels from the news reporters, ratcheting up fear and frustration I am once again driven to step in and clarify. I apologize for reiterating what all those who read this blog already know, but perhaps it will help you when explaining to others. Let me start with examples. Prostate exams and blood test PSA do not keep you from getting cancer. Mammograms, as we’ve also discussed here do not either. Screening such as these and skin exams, colonoscopies (unless they remove a pre- cancerous polyp) do not keep cancer away. Ever. So why is there so much misinformation about the covid vaccine? I know, I am just as disappointed that we are back to this virus again, but its important to make very clear since the news noise makers are confounding the issues.

Many patients are so dismayed when they talk about family or friends contracting covid after being vaccinated. As you know, the reason this infection is a pandemic is because our bodies have never seen this virus and have no immunity. It overwhelmed quickly and many even strong, fit, healthy and some young, not just elderly and immunocompromised could not battle it.

Please understand that after vaccination (which is not 100% but highly effective) you now have immunity hopefully enough to avoid the overwhelming infection, not to avoid getting infected. That is the fallacy. The vaccines do not create a barrier. Nasal droplets still fly through the air (hence the masks) and land on everyone regardless the immunity. It is only your having had the vaccine that keeps you from being overwhelmed and dying. Why can’t these commentators and doctor pundits just say that? No one should be surprised by “breakthrough” infections. The immune system does not reach outside the body to confer protection.

I still wear an N95 mask at work and a surgical mask in public where I will be exposed to groups. I do not want to transmit something I may be carrying and I don’t want to get the cold symptoms that come with covid, so that is reason enough. We don’t have to be arrogant about our protection after vaccination, we are still vulnerable, just not to the degree that we should end up in ICU. Yes, people in groups, or parties or on a cruise were infected, but if all they have is cold- like symptoms, then that is victory. If you do not even want to face that possibility, then do not engage. But even if you are immunocompromised and undergoing cancer therapy, you are coming in and out of doctors offices and hospitals so hibernation isn’t a rational any longer.

Children are petrie dishes always and so as soon as the vaccine is approved in that group, they should receive it. Just as we all lined up for polio and testing of the vaccine was much less rigorous then. You never hear of the disease now. Thank you Jonas Salk who tested it on his own family first- now that is bravery.

In your lifetime you will probably get covid and not even know it. That is success in healthcare. We will likely be offered boosters next month and then yearly with flu vaccines. It will be a new normal, but all of the efforts are to create some normalcy. We cannot keep living like this. Our healthcare system has to get back to caring for other diseases. We need to focus on wellness and realize that all the vitamins, exercise, strength training are still no match for some diseases .

Bottom line: vaccinate, get boosters, mask in groups, and this thing will recede to background noise. Let’s stop being surprised that we are not coated in armor. We are living, breathing, miraculous beings smart enough to protect ourselves, powerful enough to be strong in the face of adversity, clever enough to avoid being taken in by mis-information and frankly, stubborn enough to not let anything get in the way of living your best life.