Top Doctor Talks COVID-19 Thanksgiving Protocol and the Vaccines
Dr. Rajeev Fernando is one of New York's top infectious disease specialists, and this week, he talks about COVID-19 Thanksgiving protocol, and if the vaccine will protect us from all strains of the virus.
When you need to know what's happening with the coronavirus, join KICKS 105.5 every Thursday morning. Dr. Rajeev Fernando answers your COVID-19 questions.
Laurie in Brookfield wants to know what is your recommendation for Thanksgiving protocol, and having people together?
"Great question. Now the best recommendation would be to have something virtual, or have something outdoors. I know some states like Pennsylvania have asked people to wear a mask during get togethers, especially indoors."
I can see wearing the masks indoors, but it's kind of hard to enjoy Turkey when it's virtual.
"I know, these are innovative times, and I'm talking to people all the time to come up with different safe ways to have these kind of get togethers. I do want to say, I have a lot of hope for the vaccines that are coming out in the next few months, so we just have to keep doing what we're doing, the end is in sight. A few months ago, no one knew where this virus was going to go, now we have a projected end, with the vaccines being released, the end is in sight. I want everyone to be hopeful, just continue to do what you are doing, wear the mask, social distance. There's some new studies that just came out that actually talk about the virus surviving on your body for up to 9.2 hours, so make sure you're always hand sanitizing as well."
We know two companies should have a vaccine out in the next few months, but what about different strains of the virus, will the vaccine that's being developed now work on all the strains? Or is the vaccine only being developed for one particular strain?
"Another great question, virus' frequently mutate all the time, on a daily basis, and that's called small mutations, which really don't effect the whole virus. At this point, we know there's no evidence that this virus is mutating. It's been so effective so far, there's been no need for it to mutant at this point. The vaccines that are being developed are going to be wonderful, the question is later on in the year, will the virus start to mutate when it's not able to attack human beings? This is something we're going to have to watch down the road. We may get into a position where we have yearly COVID-19 vaccines for everyone, but that's a bit down the line, right now, our focus is on the two vaccines that are both claiming they are 95% effective. Since I've been on your show, I've always said that the vaccines are going to do great."