My name is Minerva A. Garcia
I am currently the Associate Director Microbiology at Jacobi Med. Center, NYC Health & Hospitals Corp.
I am your Microbiologist now again, Microbiology with the microbes welcomes you in and so does poetry, with creative lines.
In today’s show, I’ll be talking aboutthe following topics
- How to reach Unvaccinated People
- My Personal Experience with Covid-19
- Difference between Rapid testing, PCR and antibody test…and other terms
- CoVid-19/Variant Strains Update: National & International News
So…. There it…. Goes an Analogy of a poem discussion:
What are our goals as human beings to sustain our ecosystems, our planet and most of all, continue to strive living independently as best as we can enjoying our lives… We know, summer is on its way. We are leaving the Winter behind and for those lucky of us whom been COVID19 vaccinated, restrictions are being lifted. We can breathe a little free as CDC guidelines, for vaccinated individuals seems uplifting. Therefore, we all got to take on responsibility and get vaccinated if are to control this COVID19 pandemic heads on.
We got to get vaccinated of all of us…its crucial part of the U.S. strategy to curb the pandemic.
Since COVID-19 vaccine distribution began in the United States on Dec. 14, 2020, 290 million doses have been administered, fully vaccinating over 132 million people or 40% of the total U.S. population. . This great news! This is great success for now, but we need everyone cooperation to reach 100% success rate.
Since we’re all facing the many challenges together, let’s not leave anyone behind. Those who have been vaccinated, get the word out to all your families, friends, co-workers, and all. We know vaccines saves lives. We got to love ourselves and everyone’s as a nation. We got to start again with increase hopes and start dreaming again. This is so important for our mental health well-being.
Let’s hope, as we have faced the many challenges, the time will come to feel relax once again enjoying ourselves with our beautiful sun… and getting out feet wet as we think of the blue waters in the beach. With this in mind, is where poetry comes and I like to bring you all in, into my world of Microbiology, where microbes are discussed and poetry expressed. In support of trying to get everyone vaccinated. I am dedicating this, poem titled: When You Plant A Seed with Love.
When You Plant A Seed with Love.
Plant a seed with love
You’ll see it grow
Plant a seed with love
You’ll see a beautiful garden multiple
Plant a seed with love
You’ll witness food from the above
Plant a seed with love
You’ll witness birds and bees smells God’s treats
Plant a seed with love
You’ll feel your eyes harmonize with picturesque of grace
Plant a seed with love
You’ll not be sad for long for it’s a wishful view in youths
Plant a seed with love
It’s your heart … that it’ll thank you for the feelings of lightness that you’ve a heart
Plant a seed with love
Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today … for tomorrow you’ll find bountiful fruits
I now can also add, on this May 28, 2021
You got to love yourself, families, friends, your fellowman …and so there can be forth many springs to be witnessed by our future offspring’s …
So, let’s get started!
1.How to reach the unvaccinated People?
We know now that, this era of COVID, if you want to travel from one country to another, you will need a negative PCR test. One of the tests you can choose is the RT-PCR test which refers to Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. It is the most recommended type of test as it effective in tracing infections for people with influenza-like symptoms. So, how can I convince importance of vaccination, to everyone?
How do I come up with suggestions and/or friendly advice to convince people to get vaccinated? That is the question. I, as a healthcare worker, was vaccinated in the third week of December, and I am a witness that this vaccine is safe, effective and proven to me protection that I will not get COVID19 nor pass it on. This is a huge relief and makes me feel safe. I cannot stress it enough to the public, please all get vaccinated to control this pandemic of COVID19.
I like to convince all those audience listening to this podcast, please note that these vaccines are safe with minor side effects. The benefits, over weights the side effects. These vaccines will not alter your DNA, as some believes and speculated. These are purely false claims. Pfizer and Moderna mechanism for these vaccines are MRNA, Messenger ribonucleic acid, does not alter your DNA. The reason being, is because it never enters the nucleus of the cell. The MRNA instructs your body to make the spike protein on the virus, which triggers your body to develop antibodies against the spike protein, Covid-19. Consult with your doctor for further info.
Vaccinating against COVID-19 is a crucial part of the U.S. strategy to curb the pandemic. Also, should follow through the world. Since COVID-19 vaccine distribution began in the United States on Dec. 14, more than 290 million doses have been administered, fully vaccinating over 132 million people or 40% of the total U.S. population. This is great progress and news update.
Everyone should become familiar with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. It’s crucial and important to remain informed and updated, especially anyone wishing to travel.
A southwestern Ohio woman won the state’s first $1 million Vax-a-Million vaccination incentive prize, while a Dayton-area teen was awarded the first full-ride college scholarship offered by the program, the state announced Wednesday night, meaning May 26, 2021. That’s great news and encouraging!
The winners, whose names were drawn from more than 2.7 million entrants, were selected in a random drawing Monday 28, 2021 and had their information confirmed before the formal announcement at the end of the Ohio Lottery’s Cash Explosion TV show. The drawing seems to be achieving its intended goal: getting more people vaccinated. Vaccination rates jumped 33% in the state in the first week after the lottery was announced. Wow! That’s a plus.
In addition, reports the New York Daily News , Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday announced a five-week drawing in which 10 vaccinated people a week from age 12 to 17 will have a chance to win free room, board and tuition at a state- or city-run college or university for a full four years. Cuomo cited the low rate of vaccination and comparatively high rate of infection among young people in the state as the reason for the strategy. This is another wow! Great News.
Benefits of Covid-19 vaccine on patient who had symptoms of hearing loss and taste, can improvement occur?
It has been revealed that patients with COVID symptoms have found relief after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, example improving their hearing and taste loss.
A UK study found has found support of this finding, indicating that after a vaccine people with long COVID-19 can start to feel much better. But more research is needed to know if it’s really the vaccine helping. I am sure, we will hear more studies coming out in the next couple of months.
When people get the vaccine, is okay to get some side effects. This is all good, because this means is your autoimmune response working with you and not against you. Know, that your immune system is your friend and not your enemy.
When a Peron’s gets Covid-19, it affects their autoimmune systems, by causing inflammation.
Usually starts as an upper respiratory infection that leads to lower respiratory infections, where bacteria begin to strive causing inflammation. Treatments are requiring at this point, because bacteria are striving in the numbers, usually hospitalization is required, since might have difficulties breathing. These infections could be yeast such as: candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, MRSA…. etc.
Final Note: All pregnant women should get vaccinated. We know, these vaccines are safe so far with minor side effects. Know that your fetus is protected from harm, since is in a bubble. Some of the antibodies can get into the placenta serving protection for the fetus. All great news. However, consult with your physicians and/or clinicians for your best decision, since every woman are facing different challenges with their health. So, this is my advice.
2. My Personal Experience
I registered online on our hospital’s designated website. I was one of the first employee to get the vaccine. I was so excited to be among the first group to get this SARS-CoV-2 vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech. I knew how important it was to get this vaccine into my arm. I had to show my staff, families, friends and my community that is safe. I had to take the first step to ensure everyone that I could be this person they can trust and run out and chase for questions. This is exactly what happened. Since, I’ve been a NYC marathon runner, I know how to run! I had many people calling, texting and most of all practically interviewing me. I explained to them, this vaccine is safe, effective and has made me calm knowing I am getting protection. I had to make it my business and be exemplary for everyone. Today, I know, I make the right decision, and hope everyone will follow, even those who are doubting. Look, I am here safe and sound. I want the best for everyone.
I worked at the very beginning of this Corona virus pandemic, I had to work very closely with this live virus with patients testing. I had to perform validation studies, make implementations, train staff and test patients’ samples all while utilizing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) using gowns, gloves, facing covering and hair for my protection and staff. Testing was performed under Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) hood. All surfacing properly decontaminated with a disinfectant. Look, I am here. I was not afraid. We are Qualified Lab professionals with a care for patients’ lives improvement. Patient are kept in mind with the highest mindset for recovery of their illness, that means SARS-CoV-2. We are trained and licensed to perform our work duties without fear. This is what we have be trained to do, and we have done it with pride with patient in mind.
I recalled, sitting in the waiting room filling out the questionnaire, when our CEO walked in talking of us and encouraging us to get vaccinated. I took pictures with our Mr. Chris Mastromano, CEO. During Lab Week Celebration, this picture I posted in my office. It was well received my staff and colleagues. It was really fun. Recently, the hospital provided to all vaccinated employees a bag full of goodies to show all of us their encouragement, respect, gratitude, support, and most of all concerns for all to get vaccinated. I love working at this institution at Jacobi Medical Center, right here in NYC. They’ve treated all of their employees with dignity and treated us as a family with great concerns of our well-being. This went a long way, as I have noticed. This really was, is a nice token of appreciation to all the employees who got vaccinated.
During lab Week, all lab workers received a tea-shirt with logo “Lab Workers Gets Results Done”. I know, we’ve their support and they have ours. So, anyone out there, questioning WHY GET VACCINATED? Know, vaccines save lives. Just look at me, I put myself first for patient care, today, I am here and talking to you all, to my lovely audience. When we started performing Covid-19 testing, 90% of our patients were positive. I worked with these patients’ positive sample with Covid-19. Look at me, am here, I never tested positive for COVID19.
So, please get up, don’t be afraid and follow the sun, everyday it starts says hello!
It warms you up and provides the light for us to lead on, push forward heads on … and as the crops and flowers to do their things… we’re fed and our eyes beautifies with such grace views.
3. Difference between Rapid testing, PCR and antibody test. and others terms?
- Rapid testing
- PCR antibody test
- TAT
- Symptomatic
- Asymptomatic
- False Negative- A test result which, incorrectly indicates that a particular condition or attribute is absent.
- False positive- A test, that incorrectly indicates that a particular condition or attribute is present.
- Qualitative test
- Presumptive
- Antibody (Serum)
- EUA (emergency use authorization)
So, let’s get startedin my discussion with Rapid testing and PCR… Rapid Testing, referred to as a rapid test. This test detects protein fragments specific to the Coronavirus. It can be done in a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital. Turnaround time (TAT) for results is usually very quick reported within 15 minutes. False positive can occur. If patient is symptomatic and result by Rapid method is negative, repeat test is required by PCR method for confirmation.
The Rapid test detects antigen, you can also call this rapid test as Antigen test, because you’re detecting the antigen and/or protein. This test thinks as same method as a pregnancy test. These tests often come as flat, plastic card that contain a test strip. The test strip reacts with coronavirus antigens present in the patient’s mucus sample, and the strip typically changes color to indicate that the patient is positive. How long does it take for the results of a rapid COVID-19 test? That’s the question! Usually 10-15 minutes in the laboratory.
PCR has excellent sensitivity percentage, was developed to overcome the obstacle of quickly replicating DNA for research use. Developed in the 1980s, the PCR lab test is widely applied in medicine, from identifying new viruses to testing for bacterial illness. The PCR, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. It is the most recommended type of test as it effective in tracing infections for people with influenza-like symptoms, another virus as example, COVID19 we know today. The RT PCR test sample is highly sensitive compared to the antigen swab.
PCR tests being a diagnostic test, is very accurate and extremely reliable. This test however does not tell you if you’ve had the COVID-19 virus in the past, an active infection present.
There are times in which it may take the virus a few days to start replicating or spreading throughout the nose and throat, meaning recently infected people, the nose swab may fail to pick up signs of an active infection. It has a Sensitivity of 95%. That’s great sensitivity percentage.
Since, we know that, it is everyone responsibility to help stop spreading this coronavirus. This responsibility, really falls on every one shoulders by ensuring we fulfill this obligation by testing for the virus when we suspect we are infected. Also, we must isolate in order to prevent the spreading of SARS-CoV-2. I know, when you seek assistance within the medical system, they can lead you to right track, where testing is recommended. Therefore you got to be vigilant, to stop spreading the virus, stay at home as much as you can, avoid crowded places, wear masks when out of the house, if you’re not vaccinated and wash your hands regularly. Convince yourself and others to get vaccinated. Learn the facts and don’t act on fears. “Know that, when you’re prepare, you are not scared.” Take this advice. This is why, I am discussing these terminologies for betterment understanding of the testing in the laboratory.
Terms define Qualitative test report of negative, positive and/or inconclusive, whereas quantitative you report a number example, 1:4 value
False Negative: A negative reaction on a test that is not due to an infection with COVID19 19
False positive: A positive reaction on a test that is not due to an infection e.g. COVID19 19
Point of care testing, ID NOW COVID-19 is a rapid (13 minutes or less), instrument-based isothermal test for the qualitative detection and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 from nasal, nasopharyngeal and throat swabs. The ID NOW Instrument has a small footprint and easy to use graphical user interface for convenience within a busy hospital or near patient testing environments. The ID NOW COVID-19 kit contains all components required to carry out an assay for SARS-CoV-2 on the ID NOW Instrument.
POC test, that’s performed in the ER is NOT an antigen test. It is a molecular NAAT (isothermal nucleic amplification to be more specific). It is not more sensitive than the PCR test that’s performed in the laboratory, it’s only sensitive for testing patients who are symptomatic, more specifically those who’s been symptomatic in the last 7 days. This is reflected in the ID NOW package insert.
Point of Care Testing in Emergency Rooms (ER) and/or Urgent centers, example would be
ID NOW COVID-19. We know that Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. We know that SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus of the ß genus. This virus causing mild to severe respiratory illness that has spread globally. If a Negative ID result negative on ID NOW and if you’re symptomatic, result must be confirmed with another test via PCR as Cepheid, Panther and other instruments.
Also, negative results from the ID Now should be treated as presumptive and should be confirmed by another molecular test. This is also noted in the package insert as instructed by the FDA back in October.
The, Level of Detection (LOD) for both the Panther and Cepheid PCR test are both significantly lower than that of the Abbott ID NOW which is why negative confirmation is required for all negative ID now tests. This is what has been instructed to all the staff before the test was implemented in the ED for testing.
Now, I would like to discuss terms that are very useful in the Microbiology and worth mentioning, these are: Antibody (Serum) COVID-19 antibody test also known as a serology test, is a blood test that can detect if a person has antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Usually 5-10 minutes in the laboratory. Detects or measures the number of antibodies related to infectious disease or autoimmune condition. Type: Blood sample
It can detect conditions to diagnose an infection, autoimmune disease, example Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, ANA (Lupus), Syphilis, SARS-CoV-2, etc. Disease beings invasive.
COVID-19 antibody testing, also known as serology testing, is a blood test that’s done to find out if you’ve had a past infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). An antibody test can’t determine whether you’re currently infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Antibodies are proteins produced by your immune system in response to an infection. Your immune system — which involves a complex network of cells, organs and tissues — identifies foreign substances in your body and helps fight infections and diseases. After infection with the COVID-19 virus, it can take two to three weeks to develop enough antibodies to be detected in an antibody test, so it’s important that you’re not tested too soon.
Antibodies may be detected in your blood for several months or more after you recover from COVID-19. Although these antibodies probably provide some immunity to the COVID-19 virus, there’s currently not enough evidence to know how long the antibodies last or to what extent past infection with the virus helps protect you from getting another infection. Though rare, there are some confirmed and suspected cases of reinfection. It can also detect certain types of antibodies related to the COVID-19 virus Binding antibodies and neutralizing antibodies a) Binding antibodies, these widely available antibody tests detect whether you’ve developed any antibodies in response to a COVID-19 infection. But they don’t indicate how extensive or effective your immune response is where b) Neutralizing antibodies are not yet widely available, a newer and more sensitive test detects a subgroup of antibodies that may inactivate the virus. This test can be done after you test positive for binding antibodies. It’s another step toward finding out how effective your antibodies are in blocking the virus to help protect you from another COVID-19 infection.
EUA, Many PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 tests have been granted CDC emergency use authorization to meet the enormous diagnostic, in order to meet COVID-19 pandemic and its testing capabilities. The assays utilize different primer/probe sets and various swabs and transport media. Do all tests perform equally? And do transport media and conditions influence the results? SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests instrumentation used were Cepheid (Gene Xpert Xpress), Hologic (Panther Fusion), DiaSorin (Simplexa), and Roche (Cobas 6800) using nasopharyngeal swabs with collection via Viral Transport Medium (VTM), pink/red solution.
Questions, Antibody testing for COVID-19, in which scenarios?
- Symptoms COVID-19 in the past but weren’t tested
- Medical procedure done hospital/clinic, example if you positive COVID-19 diagnostic test in the past
- COVID-19 infection in the past and want to donate plasma, a part of your blood that contains antibodies that can help treat others who have severe cases of COVID-19
- Sick child, where clinician suspects multisystem inflammatory syndrome for children (MIS-C), antibody testing may be ordered to help diagnose MIS-C.
Many children with MIS-C have antibodies to COVID-19, indicating past infection with the coronavirus.
- For info on COVID-19 antibody test, see your physician or clinicians.
4. CoVid-19/Variant Strains Update:
National & International News
What this means? What we know today…
In Australia CoVid-19 numbers are high and in the rise of covid-19 cases.
In Peru covid-19 death toll up to 180,764, from its previous official figure of 69,342. That’s bad news. In Scotland, Covid-19 restrictions lifted parts, of the country for June 5, 2021, however country have tougher measures due to recent spikes in virus cases.
The European Commission, is suggesting lifting all quarantine obligations on travel within the European Union from July 1, 21 on fully vaccinated against covid-19, who can present a negative coronavirus test. In India, it has been warned and public announced that all travelers should keep away for now until situation improves, due to CoVid-19 crisis seen. It has been warmed that even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading CoVid-19 variants. Everyone should avoid all travel to India. This is not personal, but an effective way of keeping the virus under control, until the crisis decreases in numbers.
Globally, covid-19 death has passed 3.55 million. The number of confirmed cases is more than 170.7 million, according to Johns Hopkins University, though the true number of cases will be much higher. According to Our World in Data, more than 840.9 million people globally have received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine. Some good news.
Also, the thought that this CoVid-19 virus was bio-engineered in a Chinese lab are baseless.
The idea that “novel coronavirus couldn’t have come from nature and instead may have been created by altering a previously discovered bat coronavirus. But several of its main points rest on faulty conclusions.
One of the study’s main claims is that the “genomic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 is suspiciously similar to that of a bat coronavirus discovered by military laboratories” in China and therefore indicates that another coronavirus was used to create the novel coronavirus. It should be noted that two top, Kristian G. Andersen and Dr. Stanley Perlman, immunologist a branch of Microbiology has made these emphasis.
Kristian G. Andersen, a professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research who has studied the origins of the virus, said “This simply can’t be true – there are more than 3,500 nucleotide differences between SARS-CoV-2 and these viruses and Dr. Stanley Perlman, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa who studies coronaviruses, the coronavirus referenced — ZC45 — is “only 89% related to SARS-CoV-2. In virology terms, that is very distant.” Dr. Perlman stated, in order to make the reverse genetics system needed to manipulate the virus and “Changing its sequence to arrive at SARS-CoV-2 would be virtually impossible since it would not be known how to manipulate the virus.” I say it one more time “Changing its sequence to arrive at SARS-CoV-2 would be virtually impossible since it would not be known how to manipulate the virus!”
Dr. Li-Meng Yann, an author in a new paper and a virologist made claims, that she had fled China to reveal the truth about COVID-19. “SARS-CoV-2 contains a unique furin-cleavage site in its Spike protein” — which is “completely absent in this particular class of coronaviruses found in nature” — and that, therefore, the virus was engineered were her argument. “Well, was she trying to get fame?”
Susan R. Weiss, University of Pennsylvania professor of microbiology, researched coronaviruses, stated “makes no sense in terms of what we know about” coronaviruses. “Among murine coronavirus strains there are viruses with the furin site and strains without, related strains closer than SARS-1 and SARS-2 yet they are all virulent,” Weiss said. “Therefore, virus being engineered, means nothing.”
A furin site is a short protein sequence that can be recognized and cut by other proteins. Dr. Perlman also said “furin sites are found in many coronaviruses and finding it does not surprise us in the field.” I say it one more time “furin sites are found in many coronaviruses and finding it does not surprise us in the field!”
VACCINE TRACKER, we knowtoday an approximation of 361.3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been shipped to various U.S. states as of this afternoon, of which 290.7 million doses have been administered thus far, according to TIME’s vaccine tracker. FACTS, 40% of Americans have been completely vaccinated. Hooray! Great news.
The Global Situation is real and numbers don’t lie, we also know that more than 168.4 million people around the world had been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of 1 a.m. E.T. today, and nearly 3.5 million people have died. On May 26, there were 560,509 new cases and 12,655 new deaths confirmed globally.
Therefore, we are still very vulnerable in controlling this pandemic. Until everyone gets vaccinated, everyone will be vulnerable. It is upon to every one of us to make sure you become a champion in stressing to all of those you know to get vaccinated. It is crucial to have this understanding in order to stop this virus from controlling us. We will take control, when all are vaccinated. This is how we can stop this pandemic from becoming a wild beast.
Look at it this way, if you heard there’s tsunami coming your way, and you’ve taken covers on a steal building at 50th floor, 3 miles away. Others, remained, because they believe was a myth. They were wash away, due to their false confidence. I suggest all, think of this virus like a uncontrol tsunami, that has coming your way. It has left endless destruction, and still you’re trying to pick up the pieces. Know, that there’ll be more coming your way if you don’t get vaccinated. Know, that the only way to stop it, is by getting vaccinated.
Now, you all have to decide for themselves! You have to feel comfortable with the decision and choices you’ve made, but know your decision will impact your health as well as others. Don’t be foolish nor selfish. Make an intellectual decision and question yourself honestly and wisely your logic “WHY YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET VACCINATED?”. Know that your decision will impact your yourself, families, friends, neighbors and your community. You do not want to be that person, that had CoVid-19 and became a super spreader, especially to the vulnerable. Also, because your lack of empathy, your caused someone death by passing this virus to an elderly person. Therefore, think again. You do not want to have a guilty conscious. PLEASE ALL, GET THIS VACCINE. Once and for all. We are all in it, together. So, be smart, be vigilant, take covers and take this vaccine. Don’t run and hide, there’s nowhere to hide!
Please that that it you get vaccinated, you now have this protective wall, as an armor that now this virus can’t reach you nor enter into your body. This is best best protection. The CoVid-19 is not your enemy, but your best friend. It will give you immunity against this deadly virus.
A shout goes out to my beautiful Executive Producer Mary Lou, who has made this podcast possible.
Now, I conclude this show from the microbial world. Thank you for having me. To my lovely audience, thank you for tuning in and listening. This is Minerva A. Garcia, your Microbiologist
OPINION DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions expressed in this radio podcast are solely my own and my guests, and not of any institutions or corporation