Paxlovid: A tool that makes a difference when COVID strikes

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Preparedness Reminder: A Gentle Earthquake Bump

Puget Sound’s strongest earthquake since 2019 wasn’t all that strong, but the shake serves as a gentle reminder that we live in an active seismic area. A quake could hit at any time with no warning. The 4.3 magnitude jostling happened at 7:21 pm on Sunday evening, Oct. 8.

It was centered south of Port Townsend in Scow Bay, between Indian and Marrowstone islands. News media reported that residents felt it in a wide area from Victoria, B.C., south through Seattle, including Marysville, Lake Stevens, and other areas.

You can find lots of information to help you be ready for an earthquake at VashonBePrepared.org.

Paxlovid: Prevent Severe COVID Cases

Yes, it’s true. COVID is here to stay. On Vashon, that’s a concern because the median age of our island is almost 55, about 20 years older than the median age on the mainland. It’s an unfortunate fact that seniors remain at greater risk from COVID.

Since the COVID emergency was declared over in May, it’s now up to each of us to understand our risks and know how to protect ourselves.

We have talked at length about the basics: mask-wearing in public, thinking twice about mingling with an indoor crowd and getting the annual updated COVID vaccine.

There’s one tool for reducing COVID impacts that many people don’t seem to be using very much: Paxlovid prescription medication. Paxlovid almost completely removes the risk of getting seriously ill from COVID for those over 60, or those otherwise at risk.

Vashon Medical Reserve Corps experts compiled these Paxlovid misconceptions for you to consider as you assess a COVID situation.

• It’s Just a Cold: Test yourself for COVID to be certain. To be effective, you need to take Paxlovid early in the illness, so have tests at home and use them when cold symptoms appear.
• I’ve Been Vaccinated: The vaccine provides protection from serious illness, but it wanes over time and it’s not 100% effective. The best protection against severe disease is to double down by getting vaccinated and also taking Paxlovid if you do get COVID.
• I Had COVID and It Was Mild: The risk of long COVID appears to increase with repeated bouts of COVID; taking Paxlovid appears to reduce this risk.
• It Makes a Bad Taste: Many patients get a metallic taste in their mouth or experience stomach upset with Paxlovid. However, these side effects quickly subside after stopping Paxlovid.
• My Other Meds Interact with Paxlovid: Talk to your prescriber if you take any other medications because there are some medications that could have serious interactions with Paxlovid. A plan can usually be worked out to stop or reduce a medication if necessary, for the short period you take Paxlovid. For example, Paxlovid has known interactions with statins and blood thinners, and there are other potential interactions that need to be considered.
• I Don’t Have a Paxlovid Prescription: If you don’t have a regular doctor, most urgent care centers and Vashon Pharmacy can prescribe for you and can help you adjust your other medications if needed. If you are uninsured and don’t have a doctor, call the Vashon Medical Reserve Corps hotline (844 469-4554) and we will help get you connected.
• I’m Worried About Paxlovid Rebound: Studies show that rebound is equally common with or without Paxlovid use. When rebound occurs, the symptoms are generally mild and last only a few days.

COVID Risk Level at Basic

The COVID hospitalization rate continues below the trigger point for an increase in our risk advice tool.

The updated COVID vaccine aims to prevent severe disease and hospitalization from recent variants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the latest version of the vaccine to everyone six months and older.

The early supply problems have largely been resolved and the vaccine is widely available, including at Vashon Pharmacy. VashonBePrepared volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps and the Emergency Operations Center are helping out at the pharmacy to serve the high volume of those seeking the vaccine.

At the basic risk level, wear an N95 mask indoors in public if you have been exposed to COVID, are at risk for health or other reasons, or live or spend time with someone at high risk.

Plan on getting the updated COVID and flu vaccines in the early fall, and maintain good ventilation at home and at work.

Avoid those with suspected or confirmed COVID. If exposed to COVID, wear a mask in public and avoid contact with those at high risk for 10 days.

Always home-test if you have symptoms. If you test positive, isolate for at least five days and until you test negative. Also check in right away with your doctor about treatment, even if your symptoms are initially mild.

If immunocompromised, discuss additional prevention actions with your healthcare provider.

The VashonBePrepared COVID Risk Advice Tool previously aggregated data in Vashon’s exposure area of King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties. The tool exposure area is now adjusted to a two-county area in Pierce and King counties, to adapt to a new data-reporting approach by the Washington State Department of Health.

VashonBePrepared does not expect the adjustment to make a major difference in the risk level for Vashon residents.