COVID-19 News and Updates

Hello all,

Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19 news and updates.

This week we will be discussing a few upcoming informational events, new data on the risks of COVID-19 and the benefits of vaccination, and the societal impacts of being immunocompromised during the pandemic.

COVID Communication:

Upcoming Informational Events:

Throughout the pandemic, there have been many experts, local and nationwide, that have been sharing their expertise on various internet platforms. Below are a couple of upcoming informational events useful for public health professionals and any concerned about COVID-19.

Navigating Challenging Conversations with Dr. Elizabeth Marnik and Sherene Cauley

March 27, 2023, at 2 p.m. EST, these two informative and thoughtful communicators will be sharing an Instagram live video presentation on how to navigate challenging conversations. The video will be posted afterward for those unable to attend.

Click here for more information on this event and its speakers.

Overcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy for Children

March 8, 2023 at 5 p.m. EST, the Unbiased Science Podcast will be hosting an Instagram live event to discuss ways to build vaccine confidence. They will be joined by Dr. Sandy Chung, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Click here for more information on this event and its speakers.

COVID in the News:

State of COVID-19 in Maine

Test positivity is down to an average of 11% across the state, with an increase in hospitalizations and ICU admissions from COVID-19. Deaths are down across the state when compared to two weeks ago. Putting the pandemic in Maine into a long-term perspective, the death total for the state stands at 2,940 reported deaths from COVID-19 (roughly 1 in 457 residents have died from the coronavirus to date).

New Data on The Risk of COVID-19 and the Benefits of Vaccination

By now many people are familiar with the term “long COVID”, being a series of COVID symptoms that persist months or even years after initial infection. What people may not be aware of is the fact that long COVID can come with a whole host of complications from mental health symptoms, gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular issues, and lingering respiratory symptoms. New data now shows that even in individuals who had a mild infection and were not hospitalized there are increases in cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks and stroke) and increased incidences of type 1 and 2 diabetes.

What’s significant about these new findings is that this data was collected post-widespread vaccination. What the data shows is that those that were vaccinated and contracted COVID-19 had a significant reduction in risk of cardiovascular events and diabetes due to COVID-19.

More data is still needed, but early data is very promising and leans heavily in favor of vaccination.

For the related articles and the full post on this new data, go to Science Whiz Liz’s post here.

The Loneliness of Being Immunocompromised During COVID-19                                         

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown was a time of loneliness and isolation for many. However, as the country moves on to a “post-pandemic” world, those who are most vulnerable to the virus are being overwhelmingly left behind. Though the virus continues to be a presence in our lives, many people no longer wear masks in public places and some refuse to be vaccinated.

This not only puts those individuals at risk, but it makes the world less safe for those most vulnerable to severe outcomes from an infection, and increases feelings of abandonment, loneliness, and being left out by their communities.

In a well written article published in the L.A. Times (linked below), this loneliness is further addressed and what you can do to help is discussed in depth.

So, what can you do to help mitigate this disparity?:

·       Check in with those around you

·       Use best COVID safety practices

·       Listen to and support disability justice activists

For the full article: L.A. Times “The loneliness of being immunocompromised in the age of COVID-19”

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If you or anyone you know have questions or concerns about COVID-19 or the available vaccines please call or text our COVID-19 Peer Support Line at 207-271-6023, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.