Arthur Caplan, a University of Pennsylvania bioethicist. said he was concerned that the dramatic language used in the President's declaration could create unnecessary anxiety, in the same way that the World Health Organization's progressive elevation of pandemic alerts last spring caused widespread concern.
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"I've already gotten a couple of calls from people today asking, 'Where can I get the vaccine?' whereas yesterday it was, 'I don't want that vaccine,' " Caplan said. "I'm worried about people getting panicky and the vaccine being diverted away from those who need it most."
"I think the term emergency declaration sounds more dramatic than it really is," said Dr. Peter Hotez, a research professor and chairman of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine at George Washington University. "It's largely an administrative move that's more preemptive ..." He said such a step would give emergency rooms and hospitals the flexibility they need.
Government declarations come and go and critics of the current vaccine have pointed out that the pharmaceutical company profits are fueling the fire behind the panic.
What is the best option in light of this declaration?
Tried and true methods of staying healthy should be considered.
Stress and anxiety can reduce immune system function, so the best approach is to
- stay calm; use stress management methods if necessary
- get 8 hours of sleep a night,
- drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to flush out toxins
- stay away from others who have the flu
- take additional vitamin D or obtain 15 minutes of sun exposure (45 minutes if dark-skinned) to your face and arms several times a week
- take probiotics; they've been shown to reduce infections and risk of infection
- wash your hands after touching a contaminated surface,
- eat 5-10 fruits and vegetables a day; they contain the antioxidants to keep you well
- avoid taking medications that weaken the immune system. Consult your health care practitioner about any prescriptions you're taking and ask whether they might weaken your immune system. You can also search the PDR online.
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Photo: AP:Manuel Balse Cenata
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