WMC News and Updates
COVID-19 Vaccines: Are They Safe?
Information about COVID-19 Antibody Testing
For weeks it seems, we have eagerly been awaiting the availability of antibody tests for COVID-19. It was thought that with widespread antibody tests, we would have a better sense of how many have been exposed or infected with the disease, and more importantly how many are now immune. I have heard numerous times, “I was so sick in January, I know it was COVID-19 and that I’m immune.” Unfortunately, the reality is that antibody testing may not be very useful.
A few facts about the tests:
The presumption: many people are assuming that if their antibody test is positive, they are immune to COVID-19.
The reality: We do not know if people with COVID-19 antibodies are actually immune. Even if having antibodies means immunity, for how long and do you have enough? Most of the currently available tests are simple “yes or no” tests for the presence of antibody and do not tell us if the amount of antibody is enough to prevent future infection. We know that people can get infected with the common coronaviruses (i.e. the common cold) repeatedly through a winter. Even if antibodies provide immunity, we do not know how long any immunity would last.
Summary: The PCR (nasal swab) test is used to test for current infection with COVID-19. The antibody test (blood test) can tell us whether or not a person has been exposed to COVID-19. It cannot guarantee immunity. The very real risk is that people test positive and assume they are immune and thus safe. They may then place themselves and others at risk by stopping necessary precautions and safe distancing. The CDC and all medical advisory councils do not recommend antibody testing except for public health surveillance and to identify people for convalescent plasma donations.
Our Office Plan
We have remained open since the start of this pandemic and are now increasing our in-office visits. We will be taking every precaution to protect patients and staff from infection such as:
Telehealth will still be available for both sick and well visits and will remain a significant part of our practice. We will update you with more details as we have them. Thank you for your patience as plans will need to be fluid based on guidance from the CDC and the health department.
Mental Health
This has been a trying time for everyone, filled with uncertainty and fear. We all have concerns about our health and that of our loved ones. We are worried about our children and our parents. Added to this aer concerns about our jobs. Many of us have been taken out of our comfort zones and thrust into a new world of telecommuting and Zoom calls. On top of this is the inability to do the things that normally make us feel better…going to the gym, hanging out with friends, traveling.
Those with no history of anxiety or depression are having to learn what these symptoms feel like and how difficult it can be to keep them under control. Those who do have a history of mental illness are struggling with worsening symptoms and are trying to develop ways to cope.
Whichever group you may belong to, please reach out. If you are not sleeping well, cannot motivate, are having panic attacks, are losing your temper too easily with family or are just struggling with the anxiety about loosening our social restriction we can help. Call the office – we will quickly get you scheduled with your provider.
Stay safe and well,
Providers and staff of Westminster Medical Clinic
For weeks it seems, we have eagerly been awaiting the availability of antibody tests for COVID-19. It was thought that with widespread antibody tests, we would have a better sense of how many have been exposed or infected with the disease, and more importantly how many are now immune. I have heard numerous times, “I was so sick in January, I know it was COVID-19 and that I’m immune.” Unfortunately, the reality is that antibody testing may not be very useful.
A few facts about the tests:
- While over 200 tests are available, only 12 tests have been formally approved by the FDA. None of those are rapid, in-office or home tests. The accuracy of many of the tests are very poor.
- Typically, after a person is exposed to COVID, it takes 14 days after infection before the antibodies we are interested in can be detected.
- Even if exposed, a negative test can occur if a patient cannot develop a strong enough immune response to create antibodies.
- A false positive test can occur if the test cross-reacts with another similar but different coronavirus. There are seven types known.
The presumption: many people are assuming that if their antibody test is positive, they are immune to COVID-19.
The reality: We do not know if people with COVID-19 antibodies are actually immune. Even if having antibodies means immunity, for how long and do you have enough? Most of the currently available tests are simple “yes or no” tests for the presence of antibody and do not tell us if the amount of antibody is enough to prevent future infection. We know that people can get infected with the common coronaviruses (i.e. the common cold) repeatedly through a winter. Even if antibodies provide immunity, we do not know how long any immunity would last.
Summary: The PCR (nasal swab) test is used to test for current infection with COVID-19. The antibody test (blood test) can tell us whether or not a person has been exposed to COVID-19. It cannot guarantee immunity. The very real risk is that people test positive and assume they are immune and thus safe. They may then place themselves and others at risk by stopping necessary precautions and safe distancing. The CDC and all medical advisory councils do not recommend antibody testing except for public health surveillance and to identify people for convalescent plasma donations.
Our Office Plan
We have remained open since the start of this pandemic and are now increasing our in-office visits. We will be taking every precaution to protect patients and staff from infection such as:
- We screen our staff daily for COVID-19 symptoms and test for asymptomatic disease on a regular basis.
- We clean the office several times a day and have 4 air cleaners that filter out coronavirus.
- We require all patients to wear masks and practice social distancing in the office.
- We separate well visits in the morning from sick visits in the afternoon to decrease potential exposure.
Telehealth will still be available for both sick and well visits and will remain a significant part of our practice. We will update you with more details as we have them. Thank you for your patience as plans will need to be fluid based on guidance from the CDC and the health department.
Mental Health
This has been a trying time for everyone, filled with uncertainty and fear. We all have concerns about our health and that of our loved ones. We are worried about our children and our parents. Added to this aer concerns about our jobs. Many of us have been taken out of our comfort zones and thrust into a new world of telecommuting and Zoom calls. On top of this is the inability to do the things that normally make us feel better…going to the gym, hanging out with friends, traveling.
Those with no history of anxiety or depression are having to learn what these symptoms feel like and how difficult it can be to keep them under control. Those who do have a history of mental illness are struggling with worsening symptoms and are trying to develop ways to cope.
Whichever group you may belong to, please reach out. If you are not sleeping well, cannot motivate, are having panic attacks, are losing your temper too easily with family or are just struggling with the anxiety about loosening our social restriction we can help. Call the office – we will quickly get you scheduled with your provider.
Stay safe and well,
Providers and staff of Westminster Medical Clinic
CDC Information
Looking for more credible information on COVID-19? Check out the CDC fact sheets, available in English and Spanish.
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Check out the extensive list of resources and information from the Colorado Department of Public Health!
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Want some tips on best practices for grocery shopping? Click the link to learn more.
Are you looking for resources and best practices on how to talk to kids about COVID-19? Check out these articles put together by the National Association of School Psychologists and School Nurses, available in English and Spanish.
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Wondering if you need to wear a mask? Check out this research on what a mask can do to help stop COVID-19.
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Here are some evidence-based recommendations and tips on how to stay healthy while indoors.
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Community Resources and Assistance
Tri County Health Department Testing Sites
Childcare
Food
Westminster
State-Wide
Housing and Utilities
Westminster
State-Wide
Internet/Phone
Transportation
Cash Assistance
Employment and Small Business Support
Westminster
State-Wide
Mental Health
Mental Health Websites and Apps:
Educational Resources and Activities for Kids
Things to Do (at Home)
General
Childcare
Food
Westminster
- Meal Information for Students and Families in Jefferson and Adams Counties
- General Resources for Food Assistance
State-Wide
- Denver Public Schools Website for Coronavirus Resources
- Front-range Area Map Student Meal Locations
- “Powersacks” of Food Available for Students and Families
- City and County of Denver Resource for Tasty Food for Children
- Food Bank/Pantry for Families in Denver (senior delivery available)
- Emergency Food Assistance Directory
- Call-in Hotline for Food Resource Information
- City and County of Denver Website for Food Assistance
- Pet Food Pantry
Housing and Utilities
Westminster
- Housing Resources for Westminster and Adams County
- Water and Energy Assistance for City of Westminster
State-Wide
- City and County of Denver Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program and Statewide Assistance
- Foreclosure and Eviction Assistance
- City and County of Denver Property Tax and Rent Relief
- Xcel Energy Payment and Billing Resources
- Get Help Paying Your Energy Bills—LEAP Program
Internet/Phone
- Internet Essentials from Comcast—Staying Connected During COVID-19
- Charter Communications Free Access to Internet for K-12 and College Students
- Verizon Wireless Response and Resources During COVID-19
- Cricket Wireless Response and Resources During COVID-19
- AT&T Response and Resources for Customers and Businesses During COVID-19
Transportation
Cash Assistance
Employment and Small Business Support
Westminster
State-Wide
- Information for Businesses from the Colorado Department of Public Health
- Disaster Assistance Program for Businesses through the Small Business Administration
- Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses and Non-profits
- Paycheck Protection Program Informational Handout
- Business Loans and Financing
Mental Health
- Behavioral Health Services at Westminster Medical Clinic
- Westminster and Jefferson County Crisis Centers and Resources
Mental Health Websites and Apps:
- Headspace - meditation exercises, free all access membership for educators and healthcare professionals
- My3 - Support Network - free crisis support for suicide prevention
- Virtual Hope Box - free coping strategies and more for patients and their behavioral providers
- Calm - exercises for meditation, relaxation, and sleep
- Breathe2Relax - free stress management tools and exercises
- Calm Harm - Manages Self Harm - free strategies to derail self-harm impulses (for teens)
- Three Good Things - free journal to record three good experiences daily
- Apart of Me - free interactive game that guides kids who are dealing with loss of a loved one/managing grief
- Find Calm and Nourish Resilience - free 30 day mindfulness course
- Mindful.org - various online mindfulness courses
- Do Yoga With Me - yoga and meditation exercises, 2 free months of unlimited access
- Yoga Download - yoga videos, free sessions and paid membership option
- Kindness Collective - Colorado-based yoga studio offering online classes, first 3 classes are free
- Palouse Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction - free online course
- Udemy Mindfulness and Meditation Training - mindfulness for beginners course
- 28-Day Mindfulness Challenge - free
- The Science of Well-being - a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits
- Udemy Mindfulness for Anxiety and Sleep - online course, use the code ANXIETY-FREE-2020 at checkout for free access
- The Rubin Museum Care Package - Art, meditation, and wellness resources
Educational Resources and Activities for Kids
- Links to 250 Learning Sessions for Grades K-12
- At Home Fun/Learning Activities for Kids—art, math, reading/writing
- Links to Various Meditation and Mindfulness Apps for Kids of All Ages
- Links to Various Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused
- Links to Various Apps to Help Kids Better Manage Their Time
- Free Social Emotional Learning Games and Activities for Kids
- List of Free On-Line Learning Resources - math, science, and more
- PBS Educational Programs - At Home Learning Schedule and Digital Resources
- Sounds True Children's' Books - mindfulness and personal growth skills
- Cosmic Kids - stories, yoga and fun
- Educational Resources and Activities for Kids of All Ages
Things to Do (at Home)
- Weekly Online Event Calendar
- Denver Botanic Gardens Gardens Navigator
- Colorado History Museum Online Exhibits
- Stream Broadway Musicals -Online Free Every Friday
- Denver Zoo Virtual Safari
- Free Online College Courses from Top Universities
- Virtual Museum Tours, Zoo Exhibits and More
General