Month: December 2023

CDC Weekly Update on Viral Respiratory Illness

As of December 8, 2023, the CDC reports:

  • “National test positivity, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations for influenza continue to increase. Influenza A(H1N1) is the predominant influenza virus circulating although influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses are also being reported.
  • RSV-associated hospitalization rates remain elevated among young children and are increasing among older adults; of note, only 15.9% of adults 60+ report having received an RSV vaccine.
  • National vaccination coverage for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines increased slightly for children and adults compared to the previous week and remains low for both groups.”

However, the overall respiratory illness rates have gone from “moderate” to “low” in Iowa.

Still Practicing the Shower Juggle!

I’m still practicing the shower juggle pattern. I’m comparing how I did in April with how I’m doing now. No doubt, my form is wonky and I still can do only 3-5 throws.

But I think juggling with the big plastic balls is easier when it comes to the shower. I can’t figure why, unless it’s the more uniform spherical shape and evenly distributed weight.

It’s definitely not my form.

Spoonbills and Bald Eagles at Sand Lake!

The other day it was about 60 degrees and the sun shone brilliantly—not a day to stay indoors! We went out to Terry Trueblood Recreation Area and did some bird-watching.

Out on a sand bar on Sand Lake, we caught sight of two bald eagles. They seemed to be a mated pair. They actually courted by vocalizing and billing. I know about their spectacular cartwheel flying ritual, but I didn’t capture that on camera as they took flight. They mate for life.

We also saw a flock of migrating Northern Shovelers, dabbling in the lake. We’ve been going out to that park for years and this was the first time we’ve ever seen them. They’re also known as spoonbills or spoonies because of their large bills, which they use to sieve the water for food.

We put on about two and a half miles on my step counter, and we worked up an appetite. Climbing up and down the banks of Sand Lake is a lot of work. So, we got the two for one price on the Culver’s butter burger and topped it off with a Wendy’s peppermint frosty.

What’s Up with Intranasal Covid-19 Vaccines?

I saw the JAMA article on intranasal vaccines research for Covid-19. It starts off pretty supportive of the principle. However, at the bottom of the article, the outlook looks pretty stable for injectable vaccines for at least a good long while.

It’s an interesting read. Skip to the Many Questions section:

How these experimental mucosal vaccines stack up against mRNA vaccines, considered the standard of care, remains to be seen, Beigel noted. The NIAID intends to conduct phase 2 trials that would compare mucosal and mRNA vaccines head-to-head, “so you’d know for certain what you’re trading off,” he said.

Ideally, a mucosal vaccine would generate as good a systemic immune response as an mRNA vaccine as well as a robust mucosal immune response. But an excellent mucosal immune response might make up for a bit of a decline in the systemic immune response, Beigel explained. Perhaps a vaccine inhaled through the mouth and into the lungs could provide the best of both worlds—strong mucosal and systemic immunity—but there are no data yet to support that theory, he said.

“Everyone knows we need a better vaccine and would really like it if we could get something that interrupts transmission and stops even mild disease,” Beigel said. “Whether that’s attainable or not, we don’t know.”

I’m not knocking the concept by suggesting you read the Conflict of Interest Disclosures.

Reference:

Rubin R. Up the Nose and Down the Windpipe May Be the Path to New and Improved COVID-19 Vaccines. JAMA. Published online December 06, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.0644

The Santa Hat Juggling Duo Breaks the Internet!

Are we having any fun? You bet! We donned our Santa hats and did the 2-person 6 ball juggling until we fell over.

This is a fun pattern because, even when you mess up, it’s hilarious. When we count out loud, it sort of helps keep us in sync—but not always.

The last part of the video, we did the count sort of sotto voce as we moved from the toss and pass phase to finish with a cascade. This is in stark contrast to what we usually do, which is to keep tossing and passing until the inevitable drops happen.

As always, after the second right hand toss in the cascade, we pass from our right hand to the left hand of the partner. The count is “One, Two, Pass!”

As least that’s the plan. Often, we get line drives to the head, chest or the wrong hand. This is why safety goggles are handy. Ball collisions are frequent, which crack us up.

You know, juggling is often a one-person hobby or show. When you get two persons in the act, it’s ordinary juggling for two, which is a blast.

Then you’re having fun!

This is National Influenza Vaccination Week!

This is National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 4-8, 2023) and the CDC word is:

“National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a critical opportunity to remind everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this flu season by getting their annual flu vaccine if they have not already. CDC data shows that flu vaccination coverage was lower last season, especially among certain higher risk groups, such as pregnant people and children. When you get a flu vaccine, you reduce your risk of illness, and flu-related hospitalization if you do get sick. This week is meant to remind people that there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: get a flu vaccine today. Check out CDC’s NIVW toolkit for more shareable resources and content.”

It’s also big news that a recent CDC co-authored study showed strong evidence for flu vaccine effectiveness. Among the university medical centers participating in the study was the University of Iowa Hospitals.

Watch for Jim and Sena Juggling in Santa Hats!

Announcing the upcoming not-to-be-missed, one of a kind, holiday extravaganza never before witnessed holiday extravaganza—Jim and Sena juggling in Santa Hats!

We’ve been rehearsing for this (or at least trying to) and one of the greatest challenges was laughing so hard we could barely stand up, let alone juggle.

There’s something hilarious about juggling balls colliding with each other.

Juggling Update!

Well, we’re using our new safety glasses retainers and they work out fine. We’re a little off the beam on the 2-person 6 ball pass juggle for some reason. Some days are diamonds, some days are stones, I guess.

Our mistakes are funny. We just make too many.

I’m still working on the shower juggle pattern. I might be making slow progress. It feels easier to do if I use the large plastic balls or the new smaller balls with a tough leather shell. They’re decorated with stars to give you confidence.

I think if they’re round and hold their shape better if they’re made of harder material, they might fly better.

I think it would also help if I threw them more accurately.

Moderate Respiratory Illness Activity in Iowa

The CDC tracks respiratory illness and there is moderate activity in Iowa according the data tracker.

The weekly snapshot as of December 1, 2023 shows highlights including:

  • “COVID-19 test positivity (percentage of tests conducted that were positive), emergency department visits, and hospitalizations have increased nationally. A group of Omicron variants (XBB and its sublineages) are the predominant lineages detected in the U.S., with HV.1 being most common. The prevalence of another lineage, BA.2.86, is projected to account for 5-15% of currently circulating variants. CDC continues to monitor HV.1, BA.2.86, and all other lineages.
  • National test positivity, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations for influenza continue to increase.
  • RSV emergency department visits and hospitalizations continue to increase across the country. RSV-associated hospitalization rates remain elevated among young children and are increasing among older adults; of note, only 14.8% of adults 60+ report having received an RSV vaccine.
  • National vaccination coverage for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines increased less than one percentage point for children and adults, where indicated, compared to the previous week and remains low for both groups.
  • CDC has been monitoring increases in respiratory illness reported recently among children, including potential elevated rates of pediatric pneumonia in parts of the United States. These reported increases do not appear to be due to a new virus or other pathogen but to several viral or bacterial causes that we expect to see during the respiratory illness season. CDC will continue to work closely with our state and local public health partners to maintain strong situational awareness and will provide updates, as needed.”