By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

The Temptations released the song, “A Ball of Confusion” on the Motown label in 1970.  The song was featured on their Puzzle People album and was written by the team of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. The song was a political statement on the chaos and disorder with the pervading times.  The lyrics are still relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The lyrics, “ball of confusion, oh yeah, that’s what the world is today” can certainly be applied to the SARS-CoV-2 mutations, the spread of monkeypox, and the new cases of polio.

Otis Williams continues to perform Temptations’ material as the sole surviving original member.  In 1989, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the group in 2013.  Two of my favorite Temptations’ songs are “My Girl” and “Just My Imagination,” but the lyrics to “A Ball of Confusion” are making me ponder!  Near the end of the song, one of the lines is “and the band played on.”  This lyric was meant to portray all the problems in the world, but it didn’t stop the band from playing.  Ultimately, a statement on ignoring the issues.

As some of the COVID-19 restrictions are changing with new recommendations from the CDC, we are dealing with outbreaks of polio and monkeypox.  The CDC changed its recommendations for COVID-19 in a press release on August 11, 2022.  In reading the new guidance (https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0811-covid-guidance.html), it provides very specific information on exposure, quarantine with exposure to a positive case, wearing of masks, and social distancing.  I have concern when reading certain media reports that do not accurately portray the intent of the CDC recommendations.  

Several news outlets have reported the need for social distancing is no longer necessary and has been dropped by the CDC.  Indeed, this is not true.  The report clearly states social distancing is one component to protect yourself from COVID-19 and each individual should consider social distancing depending on the situation and the ventilation of the area.  This is very different from no social distancing.

The CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) have new public health concerns related to monkeypox.  The WHO is looking at the idea of renaming monkeypox due to potential stigma.  On August 12, the WHO renamed two branches (types) of the monkeypox virus.  The Central African type will be known as Clade I, while the West African branch will be known as Clade II.  The Clade II branch has 2 subtypes known as Clade IIa and Clade IIb.  The current transmission of monkeypox is related to the Clade IIb branch. 

On August 10, 2022, the CDC identified over 10,000 monkeypox cases in the United States with the highest spread in New York, California, Florida, Texas and Georgia.  The first case was reported in Ohio on June 13.  The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has identified approximately 75 cases in Ohio mostly focused in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati.  On August 11, ODH announced a three-phase plan to distribute doses of the Jynneos® (smallpox and monkeypox live, non-replicating) vaccine.  The vaccine is in short supply and is being distributed nationally based on case numbers in each state.  

ODH will provide vaccines for those individuals who have had direct contact with a patient with monkeypox (phase 1).  The second phase will be directed to Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati for individuals at highest risk.  Based on national surveillance and a study published July 21, 2022 in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the highest risk is in gay and bisexual men who have sex with men.  The third phase will be making the vaccine available for the general population when shortages are no longer an issue. 

Although no deaths have been reported so far in the United States from monkeypox, the disease can be devastatingly painful and individuals have been hospitalized for pain management as well as dehydration from mouth and throat soreness and lesions.  The NEJM study documented a hospitalization rate around 13-15%.  Five percent of the cases received an effective antiviral treatment for monkeypox known as tecovirimat (TPOXX), which requires significant effort to obtain. The first symptom is usually a fever before a skin rash, blisters, itching, headache, cough, and muscle aches occur. The symptoms of monkeypox can last up to 2 to 4 weeks.  

Polio was eradicated in the United States in 1955, but it is back.  Cases of polio were reported in the state of New York recently with the polio virus being found in 11 sewage samples in New York City.  The poliomyelitis virus is very contagious.  Only one case of paralysis will occur even though hundreds are infected.  The virus is spread from person to person but can be spread with contaminated food or water.  About one out of every four cases will experience flu-like symptoms lasting two-five days.  The best prevention for polio is an up-to-date vaccination status with an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).  

What a ball of confusion!

ONU HealthWise is offering COVID-19 including boosters Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Call the pharmacy for an appointment for other time slots. The ONU HealthWise pharmacy offers Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Call the pharmacy to get more information. 

ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784
www.onuhealthwisepharmacy.com