For several weeks experts warned us of rising Covid-19 Delta Variant cases sweeping across North Texas. The Delta variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta), was first identified in India in late 2020. This strain rapidly spread worldwide and is now the dominant variant in the United States, including Texas.

The CDC reports that the Delta variant accounts for 93% of current US Cases. The Delta variant is the most contagious so far. It passes easily and quickly from person to person. Children also catch the delta variant at a higher right than the original Covid-19 virus. A mutation in the spike protein makes the virus more “sticky.” It is more contagious and spreads in children faster than the original Covid-19 strain.

All Texans want children back in school, but we disagree on how to do it safely. 

Governor Abbot, who typically advocates for local control, has switched gears and taken a top-down approach. The Governor’s May Executive Order mandated no mask mandates. Abbott took control away from superintendents and consolidated his power in Austin. 

Parents in Dallas and Tarrant County are faced with tough decisions. How do parents send their children to school safely in the middle of a North Texas Covid surge? 

So far, 52,555 Texans have lost their lives to Covid-19. Many people are still in the mindset of “this won’t happen to me.” Now is the time to shift our thinking and face reality in our communities.

The University of Texas Southwestern, located in Dallas, provides updated data to help parents guide their decisions. The medical school publishes publically available projections an epidemiological model. 

Three weeks ago, I had zero patients with Covid-19. This weekend I cared for seven pregnant patients with the virus. The three local hospitals where I work are full of patients in the ICU. 

The UT Southwestern data demonstrates the exact rise that I am seeing working as a local physician. The projections for the next few weeks are alarming. 

UT Southwestern is projecting a substantial increase in the number of hospitalizations over the next few weeks. Hospital admissions are up 99% in two weeks and 346% in the past month. 

Check out the blue line in the chart. The blue line is the estimate of hospitalizations for the next three weeks. If cases continue at this pace, we will be dangerously close to surpassing available hospital capacity in Dallas and Tarrant County. 

In our hospitals, more young people are coming in with severe Covid infections requiring hospitalizations. UT Southwestern data reports that people under 65 represent the largest share of hospitalizations.  

The data also shows the overwhelming majority of patients with severe disease requiring ICU care are unvaccinated people. 

The UT Southwestern projections also show the people of Dallas and Tarrant County have the power to change the course of the virus. 

In this chart, the data scientists show the effect of basic mitigation strategies. If we increase the rate of vaccination locally and keep our masks on, we can save lives. 

The orange line shows what happens if we do nothing different. The green line shows how quickly we can make a substantial difference by covering our faces and getting as many people a life-saving Covid-19 vaccine as possible. 

There are three FDA-approved vaccines for Covid-19. The two messenger RNA vaccines from Moderna and Phizer offer 95% protection against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna use messenger RNA (mRNA). A single strand of mRNA delivers instructions to human cells to produce an antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease. The Janssen vaccine uses Adenovirus 26 (AD26) as the vector to deliver DNA material into our cells to provoke an immune response.

The FDA expanded the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer messenger RNA Covid-19 vaccine for kids age 12–15 years old after Phase 3 study data showed the vaccine was 100% effective in preventing Covid-19 in this age group.

None of the vaccines contain a live virus. One can not catch Covid-19 from a vaccine. The vaccines do not enter the nucleus of the cells and do not alter our DNA. 

The Covid vaccines are not linked to miscarriage or Infertility. Research indicates most pregnant people who contract Covid-19 do well but have an increased risk of ICU admission and preterm labor.

The American College of Obgyn and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommends all pregnant women get a Covid-19 vaccine. The protective antibodies can save women’s lives and help protect the newborn.

Vaccines are available everywhere. They are free. We can help protect children going back to school by increasing vaccination rates.

Children who are 12 years old and older can get their Pfizer vaccine today. Adults can help protect the community by getting any of the three available Covid shots.

Children under age 12 are counting on us to protect them. We can slow the spread of Covid-19 by getting vaccinated. 

Protect yourself. Protect others. Protect the children. 

Get your shot today.

The post Dallas UT Southwestern Paints an Ugly Picture for Covid Projections appeared first on Medika Life.

One of our three Dallas Fort Worth Hospitals had twenty-three total Covid-19 hospitalized individuals, including multiple patients intubated in the ICU fighting for their life.

What a difference a week makes.

For several weeks experts warned us of the rising cases of the Covid-19 Delta Variant. The Delta variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta), was first identified in India in late 2020. This strain rapidly spread throughout the world and is now the dominant variant in the United States, including Texas.

My trusted colleague and friend for the last 25 years, Dr. Jennifer Shuford is now Texas’ chief state epidemiologist. She spoke with Texas Standard and broke down the key facts all Texans need to know.

Dr. Shufford warns the combination of low vaccination rates, the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant, and the steepness of the current Delta variant curve paint an ominous potential future for our State over the next few months.

Dr. Shuford emphasizes the delta variant is popping up all over Texas, but the people at most significant risk are in areas with low vaccination rates.

The Delta variant is the most contagious variant so far. It passes easily and quickly from person to person. Children also catch the delta variant at a higher right than the original Covid-19 virus.

Health experts have warned us all to prepare for its impact. Dr. Benjamin Neuman, a virology professor at Texas A&M University, told The Texas Tribune:

Clearly, COVID is not over.

The Delta variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta), was first identified in India in late 2020. This strain rapidly spread throughout the world and is now the dominant variant in the United States, including Texas.

In mid-June, the CDC labeled Delta as a variant of concern. Inside of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a smaller group called the SARS-CoV-2 Interagency Group (SIG) developed a Variant Classification scheme that defines three classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants:

• Variant of Interest
• Variant of Concern
• Variant of High Consequence

The Delta variant is nasty. A mutation in the spike protein makes the virus more “sticky.” It is more contagious and spreads in children faster than the original Covid-19 strain.

Yale Medicine pediatric infectious diseases specialist and a vaccinologist Inci Yildirim, MD, Ph.D., explained to Yale medicine News:

As older age groups get vaccinated, those who are younger and unvaccinated will be at higher risk of getting COVID-19 with any variant, but Delta seems to be impacting younger age groups more than previous variants.

The Delta variant is spreading fast in states with low vaccination rates and states where Government officials like Governor Greg Abbott do not take the virus seriously or listen to scientific experts.

On June 5, Governor Greg Abbott, who says he believes in local control of schools, issued a Government mandate blocking districts from requiring mask mandates. His Executive Order prohibits local leaders from following the science or deciding what is best for their communities.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released 2021-22 school recommendations that included strong support for in-person learning and recommended that everyone older than age two wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Governor Abbott believes individual responsibility is the key to sound public health policy. His actions do not match his words.

The Governor vetoed The Christine Blubaugh Act, Senate Bill 1109, which coasted through Congress passing with bipartisan support. The bill would have helped reduce the rate of teen sexual and dating violence.

Governor Abbott does not support individual responsibility in reproductive health. He believes the government knows what is best for women when he signed the “heartbeat bill” to limit individual liberty and freedom.

People on both sides support individual liberty. We also want to go to work and send our children to school in a safe environment.

The Dallas Morning News (DMN) reported 40% of all US Covid cases are coming from three states: Texas, Florida, and Missouri. Governor Abbott’s current plan solely depending on individual responsibility is not working.

Here is what Texas looks like compared to the rest of the nation.

Becker Hospital Review shared current vaccination rates among the states. Texas Ranks number 38. Thirty-seven states have a higher vaccination rate than Texas

• #38. Texas Number of people fully vaccinated: 12,503,152 Percentage of the population fully vaccinated: 43.12
• #39. Missouri Number of people fully vaccinated: 2,484,985 Percentage of the population fully vaccinated: 40.49
• #25. Florida Number of people fully vaccinated: 10,320,953 Percentage of the population fully vaccinated: 48.05

The DMN reported Texas added 25,026 coronavirus cases which account for 8.9% of all cases in the US. The Delta variant cases all appearing all over the State, but clusters are centered in large metropolitan areas. Travis County and Houston have raised the threat level based on the rise in cases. Dallas County has not.

The University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) in Dallas has consistently provided reliable data since the onset of the pandemic. Their experts warn we must improve vaccination rates to prevent the spread of the Delta Variant.

UTSW Infectious disease faculty explain the current state of affairs here in this video.

The post Low Texas Vaccination Rates Put All Texans at Risk From the Next Covid Delta Variant Surge appeared first on Medika Life.

This Texas abortion ban continues Governor Abbott’s pattern of limiting the rights of individuals in favor of the government control over people’s lives. Previously, Abbott signed SB 8, which banned abortion in Texas after six weeks of gestation. Many women do not know they are pregnant so early in pregnancy.

SB 8, known as the “ heartbeat ban,” removes the rights of pregnant people to control what happens to their bodies even if they were the victims of incest or rape.

The new law passed on July 16 takes the abortion ban on step further. Under HB 1280, any health provider who attempts to perform an abortion could be charged with a second-degree felony. If the abortion is successful, doctors can be charged with a first-degree felony and potentially life in prison. Physicians who perform abortions would face fines of a minimum of $100,000 and lose their license.

While it may seem strange that Texas would pass a state law contingent upon a potential change in Federal law, the timing of HB 1280 coincides with abortion legal challenges happening on a national stage. The US Supreme Court will hear arguments this fall on a Mississippi law banning abortion after fifteen weeks gestation.

Mississippi’s abortion law serves as a test case for many other abortion restrictions passed in various states. The Mississippi law is in direct conflict with the wording in Roe v. Wade which gave women the Constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability, the time at which a baby can survive outside of the uterus.

Due to advancements in neonatology intensive care, preterm babies can survive as early as 23–24 weeks in most hospitals. A Mississippi Supreme Court victory would remove the viability threshold established in 1973, opening the legal doors for other states to limit reproductive rights.

Some believe the Supreme Courts’ shift to the political right increases the odds of Roe vs Wade will be overturned. The former President appointed three pro-life Justices during his term. Justice Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett have a strong history of supporting anti-choice legislation. The conservatives are now in the majority, six to three.

The new Texas abortion ban, HB 1280, that turns physicians into criminals, was co-sponsored by Southlake’s Representative Giovanni Capriglione and McKinney’s Senator Angela Paxton.

The law includes no exceptions for pregnancies that result from rape or incest. There are narrow exceptions for pregnant people with life-threatening conditions

An increase in government control over healthcare decisions has many people on edge. Paxton Smith, the valedictorian of Lake Highlands High School’s Class of 2021, drew national attention for her passionate commencement speech. Smith focused on the idea of personal liberty.

Smith questioned the “heartbeat bills” idea that rape victims, through no fault of their own, can no longer make a personal choice regarding their future. Instead, the Texas Government dictates these womens’ future. As Smith said, “a decision that will affect the rest of their lives is made by a stranger.”

Texas women no longer have the right to choose to parent or choose an alternative path. Instead, Governor Abbott has determined the Texas Government should decide what is best for each woman.

Smith summed up the dangers of governmental overreach stating:

“I have dreams, and hopes, and ambitions. Every girl graduating today does. And without our input and without our consent, our control over that future has been stripped away from us.”

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A bipartisan group of Democratic and Republican representatives from the Dallas Fort Worth area worked hard to prove bipartisanship is not dead in Texas. This coalition fought for prison reform requiring Texas prisons to install air conditioning in all facilities.

HB 357 bill passed the Texas House by a vote of 123-18. In normal times, the bill would have moved to the Texas Senate before heading to Governor Abbott’s desk to sign it into law. Despite bipartisan support for this criminal justice effort, the Texas Senate failed to schedule the bill for a hearing, debate, or vote.

Just in time for Summer, The Texas legislative session is now over, and Texas Prisoners will pay the price. Texas lawmakers killed a bill that would have required air conditioning in prisons and saved lives.

The Dallas Morning News (DMN) reported one out of five lockup facilities has no air conditioning or climate control systems for inmates. Forty-nine prisons only have partial air conditioning. Temperatures can rise well above 100 degrees during the Texas Summers. Inmates confined to their cells no options to keep cool and stay safe.

Some view climate control as a luxury. “[Air conditioning] is seen as a luxury and prison officials don’t want to be seen as running luxurious prisons,” stated David Fathi, director of the ACLU’s National Prison Project. But in Southern states like Texas, regulating temperature can be a matter of life and death.

The lack of air conditioning in Texas prisons places prisoners and staff at risk. Prolonged heat exposure can cause lead to dehydration and heatstroke. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can damage the kidneys, liver, lungs, and brain. Prisoners are at risk of kidney failure and heart attacks.

The DMN published documents showing more than twenty inmates died from the heat inside Texas prisons between 1998 and 2012. Terry Canales, a South Texas Democrat from Edinburg, told the House, “The reality is that we are cooking people in prison in Texas.”

HB 357 provided the Texas prison system with seven years to bring climate control systems to all facilities. The project had a cost cap of $300 million, and the bill is contingent on State or Federal funds approval to assist with cooling costs.

The bill would provide essential climate control and air conditioning to incarcerated people throughout the Texas Penal system. During the vote in House, only 18 members voted against this legislation.

The bill’s sponsors were Democrats and Republicans from the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, including Jeff Leach of Plano, Lynn Stuckey of Denton, Speaker Pro Tem Joe Moody, Michelle Beckley of Carrollton, and Carl Sherman of DeSoto.

In 2021, The Texas Winter Storm caused problems in the Texas prisons that do not have climate control. Mother Jones reported Texas prisoners attempted to set fires to try and keep warm during the historic freezing subzero temperatures and failure of the power grid. Inmates used toilet paper, scrap paper, and socks as kindling.

Prison Air conditioning bills have failed over and over again in Texas. Despite being one of the hottest states in the US, lawmakers have failed to provide basic climate control systems for inmates. Many thought 2021 would be different. The bipartisan effort which passed with flying colors in the house seemed destined to succeed in the Senate.

Speaker Pro Tem Joe Moody offered gratitude to the House members for their votes, reminding them, “We dehumanize people who are justice-involved.”

Sadly, The Texas Senate did not bring the bipartisan bill to the floor in the 2021 legislative session.

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