Podcast Summary
Changes in Holiday Gatherings with Vaccines: Though COVID cases are rising, vaccines have reduced the risk of severe illness and death during holiday gatherings. Maintain COVID safety measures to protect vulnerable family members.
While COVID-19 cases are rebounding, vaccines have significantly changed the landscape of holiday gatherings compared to last year. With 80% of the population 12 and above now vaccinated, the risk of severe illness and death is lower. However, it's crucial to remember that even fully vaccinated individuals can still spread the virus, especially to vulnerable family members such as the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. Therefore, it's essential to maintain COVID risk reduction strategies, including social distancing, wearing masks, and getting vaccinated if you haven't already. The Kwongs, who had planned a big Thanksgiving, decided to cancel due to concerns over the ongoing pandemic. While it's understandable to be cautious, it's also essential to remember the progress made in the past year and adapt to the current situation while prioritizing the health and safety of all.
Protecting Older Family Members During Holidays: Prioritize older family members' safety by ensuring everyone at gatherings is vaccinated, boosted, and follows COVID-19 guidelines to minimize risks.
As we approach the holiday season during this ongoing pandemic, it's crucial to prioritize the safety of older family members, who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes, even if they're vaccinated. The most effective way to protect them is by ensuring everyone at your gathering is vaccinated and boosted if eligible. While vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and death, breakthrough infections can still occur, and older individuals are more susceptible to complications. According to CDC data, fully vaccinated individuals aged 80 and above were about 13 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those under 65 years old. Therefore, getting a booster shot is a recommended precaution. Dr. Anthony Fauci emphasized the importance of boosting, stating, "You boost now." By taking these measures, we can minimize the risks and enjoy a safer holiday season with our loved ones.
Getting a COVID-19 booster for long-term protection during the winter season: Boosters are important for long-term protection against COVID-19 during the winter season when people gather indoors. Confidence for traveling and visiting comes from receiving a booster, but kids under 5 are not yet vaccinated, and their protection levels are not fully known.
As we head into the winter and holiday season, getting a COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for those who are eligible, as it takes a few weeks for full protection to kick in. Dr. Fauci emphasizes the importance of boosters for long-term protection during this season when people will be gathering indoors. Pediatric infectious disease expert, Dr. Judy Guzman Cottrill, shares that receiving a booster has given her confidence for her parents to travel and visit her, especially since her elderly parents are in their eighties and have underlying health conditions. However, kids under 5 still do not have access to the vaccine, and those between 5 and 11 have only recently been approved. Families should take precautions for the kids in their gatherings, as their immunity builds gradually after the first dose, and the level of protection is not yet fully known. Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease physician at the University of Chicago, advises considering the risks of the people you're gathering with and taking appropriate precautions for all members of the family.
Minimizing Exposure During Holiday Gatherings: Stay masked, gather outside, limit sleepovers, and follow TSA guidelines for travel to protect vulnerable populations during holiday gatherings.
When gathering family with both unvaccinated children and elder or immunocompromised individuals, it's crucial to minimize exposure to protect the vulnerable population. Children have a lower risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, but they can still spread the virus. To reduce transmission, consider staying masked in crowded indoor places and during travel, limiting sleepovers, and having as much of the gathering outside as possible. Additionally, the TSA's mask requirement remains in effect for travel, and testing while traveling is still an option for added protection. The goal is to layer on protection as needed to keep everyone safe during holiday gatherings.
Staying Safe During the Holidays: COVID Tests and Booster Shots: Take rapid antigen tests before gatherings for peace of mind, get booster shots for added protection, stay informed and follow safety measures to ensure a safer holiday season.
During the holiday season, considering COVID safety measures such as taking a rapid antigen test before gatherings can provide peace of mind. These tests, like the Abbott BinaxNOW, Oarish, or IntelliSwab, are widely available and give quick results. However, they are not foolproof, and negative results do not guarantee protection for the entire event duration. Therefore, taking the test as close to the gathering as possible is recommended. Regarding booster shots, the FDA has authorized them for those 18 and older, and federal health agencies strongly recommend them for those 50 and above, six months after their last shot. Booster doses have been shown to significantly increase protection against symptomatic infections, especially in older adults. Overall, staying informed about COVID safety measures and taking necessary precautions, such as testing and vaccinations, can help ensure a safer holiday season.
Ensuring Safety During Holiday Gatherings: Fully vaccinated groups are safest, consider asking unvaccinated guests for tests and precautions, and utilize available tools like vaccines, boosters, and masks to minimize risks during holiday gatherings.
While it's a personal decision whether to include unvaccinated family members in holiday gatherings, experts recommend that a fully vaccinated group is the safest scenario. However, asking for vaccination or testing could lead to conflict. An alternative is to ask unvaccinated guests to get tested and take extra precautions before the event. With various tools like tests, vaccines, boosters, and masks available, it's essential to use them to ensure safety during holiday gatherings. Ultimately, our actions now will significantly impact the size of any winter surge and the overall pandemic outlook in the country.
The Role of Global Capital Markets in Addressing Challenges: Investors should consider global capital markets as part of the solutions to retirement and other pressing issues, according to Larry Fink of BlackRock.
Key takeaway from this episode of Shortwave is the role of global capital markets in addressing various challenges, particularly retirement. Larry Fink, BlackRock's chairman and CEO, discussed these issues in the latest episode of The Bid. He highlighted the importance of investors considering these markets as part of the solutions to retirement and other pressing issues. This underscores the significance of understanding the global financial landscape and staying informed about market trends. Listen to The Bid for insights from BlackRock's thought leaders and gain a deeper perspective on the role of capital markets in shaping our future.
