All The Leaves Are Brown

And the sky is gray.

If you are of a certain age you are probably humming the song that these two sentences trigger.

Yes, it’s not as bright and sunny in the Northeast as it was many weeks ago.

And a number of us are dealing with the new surge of Covid-19 cases because our jobs require us to step up our activities during this period.

The concern this go round is that the human capital that health care systems, transportation, food and retail industries, utilities, etc needed to keep us going may not be enough.

After going through the first wave, a number of people are tired.

Mentally, physically and emotionally.

Some have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and are unsure if they can go through this again.

So what can we do?

Try to keep the number of cases with Covid19 from escalating too high (I know, it seems like that ship has sailed).

Wash hands, mask up, social distance.

If you are positive, follow the quarantine guidelines.

If you have mild to moderate symptoms and are high risk, ask about the new antibody infusion treatments that the FDA has issued Emergency Use Authorization. See if this treatment is an option for you.

You have to be 12yrs and older, 40kg and up with certain risk factors. The infusion takes about an hour. The idea being to hopefully prevent you from becoming a severe case that needs to be hospitalized.

Meanwhile the various vaccine options are almost here. Some requiring two doses which take effect two weeks after the second dose is given.

Regardless of what you decide- have a conversation now with your family and your doctor so you are prepared should you find yourself in the position of needing care later.

If you are suffering from mental, physical or emotional distress please reach out to someone.

If you notice someone is in need, please reach out to them.

Remember, hospitals are slowly shutting down visitations because of the surge.

You do not want to be faced with that prospect as a patient nor as the loved one.

And should you be in that position, things are a bit more hopeful in that we have new treatments and have a better understanding of how this virus works than we did at the beginning of the year.

Science is working.

So, I’m looking out again through my window.

All the leaves are brown

And the sky is gray

But I am hopeful we will get through this if everyone does their part.