COVID-19 Weekly Digest (November 04, 2020)

When the novel coronavirus hit last winter, doctors were unsure of the most effective treatments. But as the pandemic has continued, doctors are learning, as the fatality rate continues to drop, the best way to survive COVID-19 seems to be to delay catching it, as this article in The Atlantic describes. According to a study cited in the report, the fatality rate in New York City was 25.6% back in March, but by August, it had fallen to just 7.6% as doctors learned better ways to treat patients. Adding to the challenge, doctors have discovered no “one size fits all” treatment that is effective for everyone, so they are learning to pay close attention to a patient’s particular symptoms: an effective treatment for one person can harm another.

Hopefully, you and your family are still managing to stay healthy as the pandemic stretches on. Don’t hesitate to contact our office for additional ideas and support!

CARES ACT UPDATES

Another stimulus bill?

All negotiations for another stimulus bill are on hold until after the election. Both the White House and Democrats are blaming each other for the impasse. As outlined in this CNet article, the sticking points are additional federal unemployment benefits, expanded support for states and local governments, and liability protection for businesses. A further round of $1,200 stimulus checks plus extra money for dependents is likely to be a part of the next game of support.

HEALTH UPDATES

Even those who have mild cases of COVID-19 may face long-term health challenges. Some patients have wide-ranging symptoms that may persist for weeks or months, even if they were healthy before they were infected. Some show cardiac symptoms such as tachycardia, while others have persistent shortness of breath or muscle aches. Many report brain fog or abnormal fatigue that interferes with their work. It is unknown how long these long-COVID patients will need to recover fully, but so far, some have required six months or more of focused rehab.

WORKING FROM HOME

Working from home usually means saving on commuting, work clothing, and the expense of coffee and lunches away from home. But, for many, working at home brings unexpected expenses. Many see electric and water bills increase or even double with everyone’s home and working on computers. Some parents have also been forced to quit their jobs to oversee their children’s remote learning or pay for expensive daycare. Grocery bills may again rise because everyone is eating all their meals at home.

LIVING WITH AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC

Work in the post-pandemic world

Even before the pandemic, the skills required for a successful career had been changing. The overnight shift to remote and hybrid work accelerated those changes. This article in Fast Company outlines skills that employees will need to thrive in the future. Perhaps the most crucial skill will be to be a self-starter to identify and acquire new skills as they are required. Digital skills, including analytics and the ability to use videoconferencing and various communication platforms, will also become increasingly important in the future.