COVID-19 vaccine: ‘The benefits outweigh the risks’
Active Lifestyles What’s inside
Staff
4 Cover story: COVID vaccine benefits
ACTIVE LIFESTYLES PUBLISHER Denise VonderHaar dvonderhaar@edwpub.net (618) 463-2500
5 One-shot vaccine
ACTIVE LIFESTYLES ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carole Fredeking carole.fredeking@hearst.com (618) 463-2500
6 Patient grateful for weekend treatment
ACTIVE LIFESTYLES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com (618) 208-6448
7 Restoring the Soul with Ty Bechel
ACTIVE LIFESTYLES COORDINATOR Regina Harbison rharbison@thetelegraph.com (618) 208-6433
proves effective
2 February 2021
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ON THE COVER: Dr. Victor Chan, an emergency department physician for OSF HealthCare, gets a shot of COVID-19 vaccine.
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COVID-19 vaccine: ‘The benefits outweigh the risks’ OSF HealthCare
very similar to the symptoms of the illness it’s meant to prevent. But if you understand how ALTON — Since it vaccines work, you’ll know breached the shores of the that experiencing a side effect U.S. in early 2020, COVIDisn’t a sign that something 19 has killed nearly 390,000 people across the nation. The has gone wrong. It’s a sign that your body has launched Centers for Disease Control its immune response, just and Prevention (CDC) preas it should after a dicted that the numvaccine. ber could swell to “Some people 477,000 by early this actually, in a weird month. way, felt almost However, there happy and reasis a ray of hope, sured to feel those shining in the form symptoms because of two COVID-19 we knew that the vaccines, which immune system in have been approved the body was workthrough emergency “Places like ing in the way that use authorization by Facebook are it was expected to,” probably not the U.S. Food and Dr. Chan said. Drug Administration a good source. Other more seri(FDA). Roll out of OSF has a very both vaccines start- easily accessible ous side effects of the COVID-19 vaced in December, and portal with an some of the most area dedicated cine are extremely common questions to vaccine infor- rare. According to a surrounding the mation that has CDC study, released shots involved side frequently asked Jan. 6, the risk of a severe allergic effects. reaction from the According to the questions.” — Dr. Victor vaccine is extremely FDA, side effects Chan low. Between Dec. might include injec14 and Dec. 23, 1.89 tions’ site reactions, headache, muscle pain, chills, million people received the shot and more than 99.99% of joint pain and fever. OSF HealthCare’s Dr. Victor Chan, them experienced no severe allergic reactions. an emergency department Misinformation about vacphysician, confirmed that he cines abound, which could and many of his coworkers who received the shot experi- make numbers seem scary to a layman, but Dr. Chan enced side effects. encourages people to speak to “The second shot — I their primary care physicians think going into it we anticiand do their own research, pated some mild side effects, and the reports of the fatigue, but make sure it’s with a trusted source. some headaches, and that “Places like Facebook are some people would have probably not a good source,” chills and body aches. That Dr. Chan said. “OSF has a was consistent with what very easily accessible portal I experienced,” Dr. Chan with an area dedicated to recalled. vaccine information that has Some of the potential side frequently asked questions. effects of a vaccine can seem
4 February 2021
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“Then obviously the CDC is always a good place, too,” he said. “I think it’s important to make sure that we get our information from a reliable source.” Despite the fact that these vaccines were fast-tracked, it doesn’t mean that they are not safe, Dr. Chan said. In fact, The U.S. has the safest vaccine supply in its history, he said. The FDA and CDC have established systems of clinical trials, monitoring and extended monitoring to ensure vaccines are as safe as possible. “Feel confident that there is a lot of science and there is a lot of research that has gone into this,” Dr. Chan said. “There are a lot of other people who have already taken
the vaccine, gone through those symptoms, and some of the potential temporary symptoms and side effects will go away. “The benefits to getting the COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh any risks,” he said. “It’s important to remember that the benefits are not only isolated to ourselves, but the benefit and the protection from the vaccine extends to our family members who we may potentially expose. Then, hopefully, eventually that benefit reaches out to our community, as well.” For more information about COVID-19 and vaccines, visit www.osfhealthcare.org. Other helpful resources include the FDA, CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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‘Simple is beautiful’: One-shot vaccine proves effective By Lauran Neergaard and Linda A. Johnson Associated Press
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AstraZeneca’s vaccine, for use throughout the European Union. The decision came amid criticism that the 27-nation bloc is not moving fast enough, as well as concern that there’s not enough data to tell how well the vaccine works in older people. J&J studied its one-dose option in 44,000 people in the MedResources the ofpremier MedResources is the premier is provider home oxygen U.S., Latin America and South and sleep therapy equipment including CPAPs and and BiPAPs. Africa. Interim results found provider of home oxygen the shot 66% effective overall at therapyProgram equipment Oursleep Clinical Respiratory preventing moderate to severe MedResources is theincludes: including provider of home COVID-19, and much more pro- ● State-of-the-Art CPAP’s and BiPAP’s. including CPAPs Sleep Center withsleep and therapy equipment tective — 85% — against the on-site for fittings, assessments with most serious symptoms. There and education for all oxygen and were no serious side effects. Our Clinical Respiratory Program includes: CPAP/BiPAP patients. “Gambling on one dose Center ●State-of-the-Art State-of-the-Art Sleep Center was certainly worthwhile,” ●●Top ofState-of-the-Art the line equipmentSleep with an Center Dr. Mathai Mammen, global on-site assessments forfittings, fittings, assessmentsand excellent selection offittings, accessories on-site forfor assessments research chief for J&J’s Janssen with and supplies. education for all oxygen and and andeducation educationforforallalloxygen oxygen Pharmaceutical unit, told The and and CPAP/BiPAP patients. CPAP/BiPAP patients. Associated Press. ● Enhanced outcomes through a Jin Yi, RRT CPAP/BiPAP patients. The vaccine worked better in personalized approach to your care. Respiratory Therapist Premium with an ● Top of theequipment line equipment with an the U.S. — 72% effective against moderate to severe COVID● Top of the line equipment with an Please callselection us todayof toaccessories learn more. excellent excellent selection of accessories 19 — compared with 66% in ================================================= and supplies. excellent selection of accessories supplies. Latin America and 57% inisSouth MedResources the MedResources provider of home oxygen 1688 Rd. 2350 State Street is the premier provider ofClarkson home oxygen Africa, where a more contagious and supplies.outcomes Personalized care and observation ● Enhanced through a Chesterfield, MO 63017 Alton, IL 62002 and sleep therapy equipment including CPAPs and BiPAPs. mutant virus is spreading. and sleep therapy includingto636-530-4500 CPAPs and BiPAPs. Jin from ourequipment on-staff Certified Respiratory 618-466-5632 personalized approach your care. 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Fauci, the top U.S. infectious-dis● State-of-the-Art Sleep● Center www.medresources.com State-of-the-Art Sleep Center ======================================= ease expert. on-site for fittings, assessments on-site for fittings, assessments Please call includes: us today to learn mo Our Clinical Respiratory Program The more the virus is allowed 1688 Cla 2350 State Street and education for all oxygen and and education for all oxygen and to spread, the more opportuni● State-of-the-Art Sleep Center ========================================= Chesterfiel Alton, IL assessments 62002 CPAP/BiPAP patients. CPAP/BiPAP ties it has to mutate. 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Street 2350 2350 StateStreet Street 15454 Olive Blvd., Ste. of recent 2350 monthsState and discovery Alton, 62002 Chesterfield, MO Chesterfield, MO63017 63017 Alton, 62002 Chesterfield, MO 63017 Alton, IL ILIL62002 of new mutants might Chesterfield, MO 63017 Alton,—ILthey 62002 618-466-5632 636-530-4500 618-466-5632 636-530-4500 not turn out the same today, 618-466-5632 636-530-4500 618-466-5632 Fax: 618-466-4642 636-530-4500 Fax: 636-530-4577 Fax: 618-466-4642 Fax: 636-530-4577 cautioned Dr. Jesse Goodman of Fax:University, 618-466-4642 Fax: 636-530-4577Fax: 636-530-4577 Georgetown a former Fax: 618-466-4642 FDA vaccine chief. www.medresources.com
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Active Lifestyles February 2021 5
The first one-shot COVID-19 vaccine provides good protection against the illness, Johnson & Johnson reported in a key study released Friday, offering the world a potentially important new tool as it races to stay ahead of the rapidly mutating virus. The pharmaceutical giant’s preliminary findings suggest the single-dose option may not be as strong as Pfizer’s or Moderna’s two-dose formula, and was markedly weaker against a worrisome mutated version of the virus in South Africa. But amid a rocky start to vaccinations worldwide, that may be an acceptable trade-off to get more people inoculated faster with an easier-to-handle shot that, unlike rival vaccines that must be kept frozen, can last months in the refrigerator. “Frankly, simple is beautiful,” said Dr. Matt Hepburn, the U.S. government’s COVID-19 vaccine response leader. J&J planned to seek emergency use authorization in the U.S. weeks ago. It expects to supply 100 million doses to the U.S. by June — and a billion doses globally by year’s end — but declined to say how much would be ready if the Food and Drug Administration gave the green light. Defeating the scourge that has killed more than two million people worldwide will require vaccinating billions. The shots being rolled out in different countries so far all require two doses a few weeks apart for full protection. As of Jan. 29, more than 21 million Americans had received a first dose of Pfizer or Moderna shots since vaccinations began in December, but just four million had gotten their second dose. Also at the end of January, regulators cleared a third option,
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Patient recovered from COVID-19 grateful for weekend treatment Alton Memorial Hospital
6 February 2021
Active Lifestyles
Special to Active Lifestyles
ALTON — While the holiday season did not start as she would prefer, Gale Smay nonetheless came out of the first holiday weekend around Thanksgiving with plenty of warm feelings about Alton Memorial Hospital (AMH). Smay, 59, of Dow, tested positive for COVID-19 in November. She also is compromised because she has multiple sclerosis. Smay made one trip to the Christian Hospital emergency room, was treated there and was able to go home for a few days while on oxygen. But her condition got a little worse, and she came to the Alton Memorial emergency room the afternoon of Nov. 25 — the day before Thanksgiving. “I came by ambulance, because my oxygen was in the seventies,” Smay recalled. “Once I got here, they assured me that I would be there for a while. “I had an X-ray and a CT scan, then I had to stay in the ER for several hours,” she said. “But they were very good about helping find a bed for me. It was probably about 2:30 a.m. when I got to a regular room on the COVID floor (Intermediate Care Unit, second floor of the AMH Duncan Wing). “Everyone was just awesome,” she said. “There was no one who acted like there wasn’t enough time to help me. And I compare them to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ because it seemed
like they were behind a curtain. Then they came out and did something to help me.” Smay’s condition gradually got better as the long weekend went on. Finally, she was allowed to go home that Monday. But, she returned to AMH Dec. 10 — or at least her husband did, who she accompanied. Mark Smay, who contracted COVID-19 first and is now recovered, has worked in the maintenance department at Christian Hospital for 29 years. On his way to work that day he stopped to deliver treats for the ER and Intermediate Care Unit (IMU) staffs — one box filled with individual bags of chips, one of individually wrapped cookies and one box of granola bars, along with a note from his wife addressed to the doctors, nurses and support staff in the ER and IMU. “I wanted to say, ‘Thank you,’ for all the hard work you are doing in treating and caring for your patients,” she had written, “like you have all the time in the world, while we all know you don’t. “When I was in over Thanksgiving, you got me back on my feet so I could go home to finish recovering, all while having (a full house) of patients,” the note continued. “In the ER, where several of us spent the night due to no rooms available on the floor, nurses went and got us hospital beds so we did not have to stay on the stretchers overnight. In this crazy time, you are the angels who keep things
Mark and Gale Smay
going. Thank you again for all your hard work and caring. I hope that in this craziness you can grab a snack on me. Happy holidays!” Gale Smay worked for 35 years at the Shell/Phillips
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66 refinery in Wood River, but went on disability earlier last year. The Smays have three sons and seven grandchildren. Visit www.altonmemorial hospital.org for more information.
Gale Smay’s note to the ER and IMU staffs at Alton Memorial Hospital.
Take a deep breath and enjoy the view By T.A. Bechel
For Active Lifestyles
forget there is a process of finding solutions to help us with balance and sanity in our lives. We are so busy looking for quick answers just so our problem can be solved, and we miss out on the real joy of accomplishing a goal. I know we are way too busy, and there is so much stuff to do. Convenience, in my opinion, is killing us. Instead of answering a phone call, we text and then justify it on social media by sharing a meme. We ignore conflict if we can and have learned to block people from our phones. We run away instead of facing whatever it is we need to face. I hear more than ever people are experiencing anxiety or depression. Our society has all these special add-ons to make things better, safer, or faster, but we seem to have fallen into a pit of melancholy and despair. We have become more impatient than we were already before. We get our packages delivered in two days. We get our food served to us at record speeds. Considering all this anecdotal evidence, we have conditioned ourselves to bypass the process (the journey). And the process is where all the magic happens; this is living in the moment. We are creating our problems. We try so hard to control the outcome, and our expectations are entirely jaded that we get upset that it didn’t turn out the way we had planned. We could benefit from learning to accept the outcome instead of controlling it. Most of our time is spent in a conscious
state, and our mental health is valuably important. We create our mental hiccups by wandering around, expecting, demanding and evading. Of course, there will be different solutions for different problems we face daily. The solution will have to have at least a teaspoon of patience and a pinch of autonomy. We will have to learn to set healthy boundaries and find support from those that have experienced something similar. Have financial problems? There are financial coaches to investigate, or you could watch some David Ramsey videos on YouTube. We must understand many of our problems will not simply evaporate or go away from some incantation we recite from some witch’s spell book. John F. Kennedy said, “Our problems are manmade — therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. Man’s reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable — and we believe they can do it again.” To truly flourish, we must be willing to put forth some action, take a deep breath, and enjoy the view. Until next time, may God reveal the golden sunset in a way that makes you smile and understand how supremely important the moments we get to experience are. Ty Bechel is the executive director at Amare, a nonprofit 501(C)(3), that is a non-clinical, peer-led recovery community organization that offers recovery support services, education, awareness, guidance and hope to Madison County.
Active Lifestyles February 2021 7
We are faced with challenges (problems) daily. Whether they are individual or collective, there will always be a situation that will need a solution. The problem-solution relationship is one that cannot merely be divorced from one another no matter how deep we try to bury our heads in the sand. Merriam-Webster defines a problem as a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution or a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation. When we want to discover a way to heal and restore balance in our mind, heart, and soul, we must no longer ostracize ourselves from the fear of making a decision that could benefit us. I am sure we could list one, two, possibly three or more problems we are experiencing. There are financial woes or romantic relationships that could be on our list to correct, but sometimes we find a way to avoid them. Then from evading our dilemma, we get this nagging thought periodically throughout the day that we should probably do something about it. Most of us missed out on getting our This is How Life Works and the Steps to Take guidebook and are unsure what best decision to make. The guidebook is entirely fictitious, but you get my point. We try to bounce ideas off a friend, leaving us with even more confusion before we talked with them. We had this unwritten expectation that our friend would treat our moment of vulnerability as if the seal of confession rules applied.
A day or two later, we get a call from another friend asking if we are okay as they do this weird voodoo, verbal dance to get us to spill the beans on the other end of the phone. We cannot help but laugh for a second, followed by a frustrated groan, sounding like the Tasmanian Devil (Taz) from the Looney Toons animated series. As we throw our hands up in the air (and we only wish we were waving them like we just don’t care), we feel stuck, hopeless, and ready to accept our fate of being miserable. This usually Bechel happens because we have a mental hang-up. We don’t either want to hurt someone in the process, make things worse, or spend any more money than we must. However, on special occasions, we are angry and doing our best not to explode and assault our nearest innocent bystander with any emotional shrapnel. Being an adult doesn’t mean we have grown to the level of mature enlightenment and have all the universe’s mysteries figured out. Life can be about as confusing as a Rubik’s Cube, and when I see someone that has mastered the colorful block toy and has all six sides aligned, I always scream internally, “How did they freaking do that!?” We are interested in the process, though some of us would love to get a completed Rubik’s Cube and tell everyone we figured out the puzzle. In today’s age, we feel our problems should be instantaneously fixed. We
Things have changed. Cancer hasn’t.
Recent challenges have inspired us to be more self-reliant. But there are some things you can’t do by yourself – like a colonoscopy. Don’t worry. You’re covered. We’ve taken extra precautions so that our facilities are safe. Because while our world has changed, cancer hasn’t, and early detection is the key to good outcomes.
While a colonoscopy is the gold standard, there are several screening options, including simple at-home tests.
To schedule your colonoscopy, call (618) 474-7871. osfhealthcare.org/colon-screening