Tennessee Covid update:
Hospitalized: 1064
Deaths: 39
Positivity: 9.56%
The CDC is recommending mRNA vaccines over the J&J vaccine over concerns with thrombotic thrombocytopenia and venous sinus thrombosis, and in light of lab research showing lower antibody effectiveness against the omicron variant.
Essentially, the adenvirus vector vaccines can trigger Platelet Factor 4, leading to clotting and depletion of ability to clot further.
I've heard speculation that this is likely due to inadvertent intravascular injection. When I was in nursing school back last century, we were taught to aspirate (pull back on the syringe plunger) prior to pushing the drug when giving an injection. That practice has largely fallen by the wayside, and I'm left wondering if the size of needle used in these injections would readily aspirate blood if it were in a vessel. Regardless, these vaccines don't belong in the bloodstream, regardless of which vaccine we're discussing.
I remain convinced that the lack of super-cheap at-home tests is government malpractice at its finest. It is my opinion that the CDC and other agencies would rather have good data on number of test results than end the pandemic.
Stay healthy!
I'm on a weekend night call schedule this weekend, which always leaves me feeling under-rested and generally icky.
But I wanted to remind you that outdoor exercise without screens is really good for your mental health.
Go outdoors, preferably into the woods.
Get in tune with those surroundings, the sights, the sounds, the smells, even the movement of air and the varying temperatures as you walk.
We were made to be outdoors.
We were definitely not made to work in cubicles.
One Degree!
What you want from your body will dictate what you need to set as goals, and the goals will determine what you'll end up having to change to attain them.
I've spoken many times about systems being better than goals, and my position has not changed.
But goals are easier to discuss and to understand, so for this week, we'll be very specific about goals.
Do you want more muscle mass?
Do you want to be stronger?
Do you want to run faster?
Do you want to gain weight?
Do you want to lose weight?
Do you want to improve general fitness?
Do you want longevity?
Do you want strong bones?
Do you want to earn a Black Belt?
Understanding the benefits and costs of each particular goal may help you decide what you want.
For example, if you want to compete in body-building competitions, you'll not be doing the same thing as if you were focused on longevity. Same with strength competitions.
But general fitness and longevity go fairly well together.
Running is great but will increase the likelihood of needing knee or hip ...
I'll make this one short and to the point.
Spring time change is hard on all of us. Having to get up an hour early doesn't make going to bed an hour earlier much easier.
Yes, it's nice to have more productive time in the evening.
But it's at the cost of forcing us out of be an hour earlier, as we all know.
Our challenge is to adjust our circadian rhythm to match the world's expectations around us.
My main strategy is supplementing with a dose of melatonin about a half hour before I need to be asleep. It helps most people fall asleep more readily.
If you need a nap during your day, take it between mid-morning and early afternoon. Limit it to 20 minutes.
Taking a longer or later nap may make it even harder to get off to sleep in time.
All of the other normal advice applies even moreso: