Manage Your Stress by Learning About COVID-19, Vaccinations & Mental Health

Did you know?

• There is such a thing as good stress. Good stress inspires you to act and has positive impacts on your self-esteem.
• Warning signs that you may need to seek professional help for your mental health include feelings of withdraw, thoughts of self-harm, changes in appetite and risk-taking behaviors. 
• There are many myths out there regarding the COVID-19 vaccines including rumors that they cause sterility and are unsafe for pregnant or those who are trying to become pregnant. 
• The state of NJ has established a phone number for vaccine appointment support: 1-855-568-0545 (8a-8p every day).
   

 

Q&A Session

1. I feel like I have failed my family if I ask for help because I can’t handle the added stress.  Can therapy really help?

We believe that therapy can help just about anyone. If you don’t take care of yourself, you are no good to anyone else. Therapy and support groups are great tools to ensure you are your best version of yourself so that you can support your family. 

2. Have you heard anything about people with a previously diagnosed seizure disorder having increased seizure activity after either having COVID-19 or receiving a COVID-19 vaccine? 

Neither the COVID-19 virus nor the COVID-19 vaccines will worsen the management of an underlying seizure disorder. The only contraindication to receiving the vaccine, is if you have an allergy to a vaccine component like polyethylene glycol or polysorbate. If you are unsure of an allergy to a vaccine component, please check with your provider before receiving the vaccine. 

3. I am recovering from COVID-19. Do I need the vaccine or have I built up immunity?

Yes, you do need the vaccine. We believe immunity lasts up to 90 days after illness, but it is unclear if immunity spans beyond that. The CDC’s guidance states that as long as you have recovered from the acute symptoms of COVID-19, you can be vaccinated right away. 

4. When will children under the age of 16 be able to receive the vaccine – especially if they are not considered high risk or essential personnel.

Moderna and Pfizer have recently began clinical trials for this age group. We anticipate that by the beginning of next school year, high school aged to elementary school children should be eligible to be vaccinated. It may not be until the beginning of 2022 for children younger than elementary school age. 

5. When will the Johnson & Johnson vaccine be available at Inspira?

This will be based on supply availability. We will not know until a week or two into April when we will be receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but we are confident that we will eventually receive it as more and more vaccines are produced. 

6. Why are we just now learning that double-masking is beneficial?  One mask is hard enough let alone two.

This information is reflective of more recent studies and research. While two masks are beneficial if you can tolerate it, we encourage at least one mask. 

7. Please explain how a vaccinated person can still be a carrier of the virus.

No vaccine is 100% protective. There is always a risk of being exposed and becoming a carrier of the virus. Right now, there is some promising preliminary data suggesting that the vaccine tremendously minimizes the chance of asymptomatic transmission. However, the study is not final or published, so guidance has not changed as of yet.

8. Six feet social distancing is all we’ve been hearing, so how is It OK that now three feet distance is recommended and acceptable in the schools?

Studies have shown that six feet is the safest distance when accounting for sneezing, heavy breathing, etc. However, when it comes to an environment where you are at a resting state (i.e. a classroom), three feet is adequate.