OK, you're vaccinated — now what?
Here's a question from a reader:
My husband and I, along with many of our senior friends, are completing our vaccinations and looking forward to more freedom in the community. I know we will continue to wash hands frequently, wear masks and maintain distance when in public. But in what other activities might we participate?
Specifically, I'm wondering about the safety of a small dinner party with vaccinated attendees. And can we consider dine-in restaurants, movie theaters, concerts, plane flights or family gatherings?
— Elizabeth Hatcher, of
Edmond Dr. Prescott Prescribes
Congratulations on receiving your vaccinations! And kudos for continuing to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously, because as much as we'd like to treat vaccines as get-out-of-jail-free cards, they're not.
The virus and new, more contagious variants continue to circulate in the population, and while vaccination offers a good deal of protection, it's still possible to be infected after getting your shots. Researchers are also studying whether people who've been vaccinated can still act as carriers, transmitting the virus to others.
A small dinner party with all attendees vaccinated would be the lowest-risk item on your list. I'd also be comfortable with taking a domestic plane flight, seeing family members and dining in occasionally at a restaurant.
That said, for each of the above, discretion is the better part of valor. In other words, choose your spots wisely, and don't overdo it. That's especially true for restaurants, where you're still going to want places with lots of social distancing, vigorous safety protocols, and where you won't end up staying too long.
As for concerts and movie theaters, I'd continue to urge caution. These are environments where you're
potentially spending hours in an enclosed area with many people, and unlike a plane, chances are the air filtration systems are not great.
Fortunately — or, unfortunately — the concert and movie theater question remains largely moot, as few, if any, opportunities exist right now.
As with every chapter of this pandemic, much of this story remains to be told. Scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and everywhere will keep studying the virus and its effects, and our advice will continue to evolve. But when in doubt, err on the side of caution.
Prescott, a physician and medical researcher, is president of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Cohen is a marathoner and OMRF's senior vice president and general counsel. Submit your health questions for them to contact@omrf.org.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37)
Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM
Here are The Oklahoman's high school athletes of the week for Feb. 8-14:
Boys basketball Israel Hart, Sr., Midwest City:
The guard had a terrific performance as Class 6A No. 9 Midwest City knocked off No. 7 Hart Choctaw
76-72 on Friday. Hart scored 25 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. He has averaged nearly 25 points per game in the calendar year, helping the Bombers to a 10-3 mark in 2021. Hart has become one of the most impactful guards in the city. He has excellent floor vision and can score, but coach Corky McMullen said Hart's demeanor rarely changes and he has a unique ability to get to the next play, regardless of the circumstances.
Girls basketball Brianna Wietelman, Sr., Oklahoma Christian Academy:
It was a short week for a lot of teams across Wietelman the state
due to the inclement weather canceling games, but Brianna Wietelman didn't waste her one opportunity to get on the court on Friday. The senior tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks in Oklahoma Christian Academy's 53-46 win over Christian Heritage Academy. Wietelman's seven-block game wasn't a fluke occurrence. She's proven to be dominant on both sides of the ball all season and it has been vital for OCA's success. Wietelman is averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks as OCA (13-5) looks to make some no ise in the postseason.
Cameron Jourdan and James D. Jackson, Staff writers