At BreatheMD, the surge seems to be dying down. Our % positive rate was 1.5% last week, down from 11% a few weeks ago. We have seen quite a few cases of rhinovirus (detected on our 1 hour PCR) and a few cases of the flu in the last two weeks.

It’s hard to believe the pandemic has been going on for 18 months now, and as awful as it has been, I have learned so much from the experience.

We’re all seeing the pandemic through different lenses, but these are the biggest lessons I’ve learned.

1. Live a simple, healthy lifestyle. Obesity is the #1 risk factor for death from COVID. Obesity is complicated and not an easy fix, but we all know what we’re supposed to do to stay healthy. Everyone I know is taking about 20 vitamin supplements a day but not paying attention to what they’re eating. Simplify your diet , eat fresh, cook at home - you’ll save money and won’t need all those supplements. Get your daily Vitamin D by taking a 20 minute walk everyday. Start today - the weather is perfect! Exercise more and you’ll sleep better… another very important but basic way to prevent COVID infection.

2. Reduce your anxiety. Anxiety is the second highest risk factor for death from COVID. The best coping mechanism for anxiety is to have a plan and take action. If you are worried about COVID, set a weight-loss and fitness goal and connect with a doctor who will listen to you and take care of you when you get sick. I have many patients asking me for recommendations - if you love your primary care doctor, please mention his/her name in the comments below. I want the names of doctors that never shut their door during the pandemic and don’t judge people who aren’t vaccinated.

   Also, turn off the TV. A CNN producer was caught on video admitting that they have been purposely trying to invoke fear in the public during the pandemic to boost their ratings.

3. Viruses are not immune to treatment. In medical school, I was taught to do nothing for most viral infections. COVID has thrown that lesson out the window. If you go to some of my previous blog posts, you can see what we are doing to fight COVID.

4. Use independently-owned pharmacies. I’m one of those doctors who will prescribe ivermectin. In the last 3 months, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time arguing with pharmacists at Walgreens, CVS, HEB, Kroger and Walmart over their refusal to dispense it. If you have an open-minded pharmacy you use, please mention it in the comments below.

5. Respect people’s health choices. Doctors are trained to be dictators when it comes to their patients’ health. This didn’t fly well with me during my four pregnancies, hence as a doctor, I try to stay open-minded. I don’t argue with people over vaccines, ivermectin, etc. … we’re all drowning in information and have our reasons for our choices.

I’d love to hear your most important take-aways from the pandemic… please feel free to leave comments below.