Good News/Bad News edition – Vaccine = Good; 10M Total Cases = Bad

Filmed live at the Hive, Atlanta, Georgia, on November 11, 2020. Dr. Baxter covers the good (vaccines work!) and the bad (our total case number stinks) of our current COVID-19 posture. First, the bad: We’re approaching TEN MILLION (10,000,000) COVID cases – that’s really bad! If people are talking about trying to get to herd immunity, this total case number means a lot of unnecessary deaths and suffering. More important is case rise trend in terms of trying to figure out relative risks of different environments.

Next, the good: Really encouraging news on effective vaccines. Did you know that the annual flu vaccine is only 5 – 60% effective? News this week from Pfizer and projections from Moderna suggest effective rates of 90% or higher. That’s amazing!

Now, the not-so-great news: Both of these promising vaccines have pain points. The first is around stability, storage, and delivery – extreme cold (-70℃) is required for storage. Second, well, 2 injections are required to be fully vaccinated. The third, you’ll experience a sore arm and possibly some symptoms following vaccination.

More good news on death rates: younger people are getting the disease now. So, death rates are 35% lower than they were for older patients and those with comorbidities.

News that MASK wearing is working to reduce viral load! That’s variolation at work! This knowledge may help keep people safe around Thanksgiving.

Dr. Baxter discusses a new study that offers practical risk assessment advice. In the study, “COVID-19 Aerosolized Viral Loads, Environment, Ventilation, Masks, Exposure Time, Severity, And Immune Response: A Pragmatic Guide Of Estimates”, mask wearing is strongly encouraged. Multiple scenarios covered (movie theater; outside doing yard work; wind conditions; and more!).

Buzzy and VibraCool are FDA registered 510(k) cleared to Control pain associated with injections, venipuncture, IV starts, cosmetic injections and the temporary relief of minor injuries (muscle or tendon aches, splinters and bee stings). Also intended to treat myofascial pain caused by trigger points, restricted motion and muscle tension.

Dr. Amy Baxter, MD, bio & more pain relief options here: https://paincarelabs.com/resources/power-over-pain/

Dr. Amy Baxter directs innovation, invention, and strategy for Pain Care Labs. Accomplishments include international thought leadership on pain management and acute opioid reduction, multiple NIH SBIR Fast-Tracks, eight issued patents, multiple first author textbook chapters and journal publications, and successful 510K FDA clearances. After graduating from Yale University and Emory Medical School, as a double-boarded pediatric emergency physician, Dr. Baxter founded PEMA Emergency Research, created and validated the BARF pediatric nausea scale cited in fifty studies, and founded Pain Care Labs. Recognition includes Forbes Ten Healthcare Disruptors, Inc. Top Women in Tech to Watch, Top 10 Innovative and Disruptive Women in Healthcare, a Wall Street Journal “Idea Person”, and the Most Innovative CEO of 2014 from Georgia Bio. National and international lecturing highlights include MakerFaire, AARP, and TEDMED. On Homeolux Board of Directors. Also known for turning down Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank.