Recently, I wrote about how it is reasonable for a person to resume many activities once vaccinated because the risk of severe illness will be low (especially activities with other vaccinated people). This week, I want to emphasize why there is still need for a degree of caution, particularly among...
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic it often seems that we are talking about what we can’t or shouldn’t do. As more and more people are being vaccinated (over 14% of the total population now in Iowa) it is time to talk about the happier side of things. What...
In recognition of the improvement in COVID-19 cases, the Wright County Board of Health has approved the following modification to the emergency measures instituted 11/10/2020. 1) Masks are required in all public indoor spaces in Wright County. Masks may be removed for eating. When eating, maintaining a 6 foot distance...
A quick update this week on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine - this is a vaccine that works a little differently from the two mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) that are already being used. It uses an adenovirus (virus that causes common cold) that can get into cells but has...
There’s a lot to talk about this week related to COVID-19. Johnson and Johnson has released some of the information from the study of their vaccine, which works in a slightly different way than the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines already in use. Also, there is a welcome decrease in the...
More vaccine questions and answers! 1) How long will the protection from COVID vaccines last? The short answer is that we don’t know. They simply have not been around long-enough to know for sure, but we will learn more as the vaccine manufacturers continue to study the patients in their...
A couple of updates this week regarding COVID-19 vaccination: Most importantly, the state of Iowa has started to clarify which individuals will be able to receive vaccination next (stage 1b). This will primarily be people over 75 and those in certain occupations with a higher-risk of exposure (notably, teachers, first...
Today’s COVID update is going to be addressing a bunch of random questions about the COVID-19 vaccinations that have been posed to me. 1) If we receive an initial dose of the COVID vaccine, how can a person be certain there will be a second dose available in 21 or...
Iowa Specialty Hospital is proud to announce the birth of the first baby of 2021. August James Manwarren, son of Tollin and Miranda Manwarren of Sheffield, was born on January 1, 2021 at 10:49 a.m. August weighed 8 pounds, 0.2 ounces and was 20 ½ inches long. August joins two...
On the whole, we continue to have multiple reasons for hope on the COVID-19 front. We’re seeing a gradual downward trend locally and across the state in both infections and hospitalizations. Many more people have been taking reasonable precautions to limit the spread over the last month, and while it...
