The Healthcare Committee wishes to remind everyone that:

• If you haven’t already done so, get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Your life may depend on doing so.
• You should wear a high-quality mask in all indoor public spaces. This includes bookstores, grocery stores, theaters, restaurants, bars, museums, places of worship, venues for weddings or funerals, libraries, and any other enclosed public spaces.
• You should wear a high-quality mask at all large, crowded outdoor events. This includes concerts, festivals, car shows, stadium games, and any other outdoor events where you will be close to others.
• If you are significantly exposed to COVID-19 or have a positive test for COVID-19, you should consult your private physician right away regarding the possible receipt of the Regeneron monoclonal antibodies cocktail. Receipt of this medication within ten days of exposure or symptom onset may significantly mitigate your disease and save your life.
• If you are immunocompromised, you should verify that status with your private physician and then seek out a booster dose of the COVID vaccine.

If you have questions, please email Margan.Zajdowicz [at] gmail.com.

—Margan Zajdowicz, Co-chair, Healthcare Committee

Editor’s note: On August 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the Pfizer vaccine; previously, the mRNA and Johnson & Johnson vaccines had received emergency use authorizations only. Full approval of the Moderna vaccine was expected to follow within weeks. It was also expected that full approval of these COVID vaccines would support vaccination mandates by the military, schools, universities, businesses, unions, public event venues, and other organizations, and might encourage some unvaccinated persons to receive the vaccine as well. Full approval also makes it possible for pharmaceutical companies to market the vaccines via television and other media.