Herd Immunity and the Vaccine

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Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community ― the herd ― becomes immune to a disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. This makes the spread from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.

Two paths to herd immunity — vaccines and infection.

Vaccines create immunity without causing illness or resulting complications. Herd immunity makes it possible to protect the population from a disease, including those who can’t be vaccinated, such as those with compromised immune systems.

Herd immunity can also be reached when a sufficient number of people in the population have recovered from a disease and have developed antibodies against future infection.

Experts estimate that 70% of the U.S. population — more than 200 million people — would have to recover from COVID-19 to create herd immunity and halt the epidemic. This amount of infection could lead to serious and potentially long-term complications and millions of deaths.

Since the risk of developing dangerous symptoms from COVID-19 may be greater in people who are older (over 65) or in people of any age who have other serious underlying health problems, such as heart or lung conditions, weakened immune systems, severe obesity, or diabetes. And if many people become seriously ill with COVID-19 simultaneously, the nation’s health care system could quickly become overwhelmed.

Until there is widespread COVID-19 vaccinations, it’s crucial to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect individuals at increased risk of severe illness, including older adults and people of any age with underlying health conditions. To reduce the risk of infection:

  • Avoid large events and mass gatherings.
  • Avoid close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
  • Stay home as much as possible and keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) if COVID-19 is spreading in your community, especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness. Keep in mind some people may have the COVID-19 virus and spread it to others, even if they don’t have symptoms or don’t know they have COVID-19.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Wear a cloth face covering in public spaces where it’s difficult to avoid close contact with others, especially if you’re in an area with ongoing community spread. for health care providers.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you’re sick.
  • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters, daily.
  • Stay home from work, school and public areas if you’re sick, unless you’re going to get medical care. Avoid public transportation, taxis and ride-sharing if you’re sick.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, everyone needs to continue to use masks, exercise proper hand hygiene, limit travel, avoid congregating, and maintain appropriate social distancing. 

References:

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2020

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On the morning of December 7, 1941, seventy nine years ago, Imperial Japanese naval and air forces launched an unprovoked and devastating attack on Naval Station Pearl Harbor on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Tragically, 2,403 Americans perished were killed during the attack, including 68 civilians.

On this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, America solemnly honors and uphold the memory of the men and women who lost their lives that day — “a date which will live in infamy” — and we reflect on the courage of all those who served our Nation with honor and valor in the Second World War.

On this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, let’s recall the phrase “Remember Pearl Harbor,” which stirred the fighting spirit within the hearts of the more than 16 million Americans who courageously served in World War II. Over 400,000 gave their lives in the global conflict that began, for America, on that fateful Sunday morning of December 7, 1941.

Source: https://www.nps.gov/valr/learn/historyculture/national-pearl-harbor-remembrance-day.htm

COVID-19 Vaccine Safe…Skepticism High Among Americans

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Gallup polling shows about six in ten Americans are willing while four in ten Americans remain skeptical about taking a coronavirus vaccine

Polling has shown that there is lingering skepticism among Americans in taking the vaccines. Most cite the fact that the vaccine has been produced in months rather than the years it normally takes as the reason for the skepticism.

A Gallup poll released November 17, 2020, found Americans’ willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 rebounded. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Americans in the latest poll say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine, up from a low of 50% in September while 42% of Americans would not agree to get a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration. A plurality of the latter said the rushed timeline was a concern. Others cited a need to confirm it is safe or effective. Twelve percent said they generally don’t trust vaccines.

Globally, 61% of the world strongly agree with the statement, “vaccines are safe”, according to Gallup.

Unfounded fears about vaccine safety

“The process of the speed did not compromise, at all, safety, nor did it compromise scientific integrity,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. “It was a reflection of the extraordinary scientific advances in these types of which allowed us to do things in months that actually took years before.”

Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have all indicated that they will publicly take the coronavirus vaccine once approved and as soon as available to them, based on the priorities determined by public health officials in an effort to promote the vaccine’s use and safety.

Public health officials face an uphill climb in convincing a good share of the American public that the vaccine is safe and to receive the vaccination.

References:

  1. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/obama-coronavirus-vaccine/507-43ebe52f-3ad5-45e1-916f-1386f6eda819?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot
  2. https://news.gallup.com/poll/325208/americans-willing-covid-vaccine.aspx

Return Kids to In-Person Classroom

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Many parents are rightfully concerned that their kids are not receiving the quality of educational services that schools are required, by law, to provide when school districts implement a 100% virtual learning or hybrid classroom model [that ask students to come to school on alternating days] options.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) contends that based on experience and research, remote learning is likely to result in severe learning loss and increased social isolation. Social isolation, in turn, can breed serious social, emotional and health issues: “child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, these impacts will be visited more severely on Black and brown children, as well as low-income children and those with learning disabilities.”

Children are safer in their schools. And, there are lots of kids in this country who are, for example, food insecure, who may be experiencing abuse at home — not to mention the obvious academic benefits of simply being in school. We know that remote learning is just not that good.

Nation’s Pediatricians support in-person schooling

The AAP guidance “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.” Their guidance says “schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being.”

The AAP cites “mounting evidence that transmission of the coronavirus by young children is uncommon, partly because they are less likely to contract it in the first place. Tests showed lower coronavirus rates in schools than in their surrounding communities.”

The guidance for in-person schooling includes recommendations to maintain physical distancing, cleaning and disinfection of classrooms, frequent hand-washing, and using outdoor spaces whenever possible.

Largest school system

New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to reopen the city’s public elementary schools and return to partial in-person learning. The plan is to reopen schools at the pre-k and K5 levels because “we have so much proof now of how safe schools can be” amid the contagion”, de Blasio remarked.

Yet, concern remains at what is the critical amount of community transmission that is at a safe enough level to open schools.

Parents and schools responsibilities

Schools are requiring parents to attest to the fact that their children are not showing symptoms and that they took their temperature in the morning prior to the student arriving at school.

Additionally, many schools are segregating kids into what they’re calling cohort groups, so that the same small group of 10 or 12 kids will stay together all day. That way, if there is a reported infection from one of those kids, then ideally you’re only contact tracing and quarantining that group instead of every child in the building.

Furthermore, students will be socially distanced and will be wearing masks. The challenge of footprint and the ability to space out desks remains a challenge for most schools. Some schools have put those kids in the gymnasium or had to start holding class outside, but that often requires more teachers.

“There seems to be less transmission from kids to adults than there is adults to adults. Kids don’t seem to be super-spreaders”, said Pediatrician Aaron Carroll of Indiana University. “We don’t have reports of sort of, you know, a kid going somewhere and spreading it to a bunch of other kids or even a bunch of other adults.”

Public health experts and infectious disease experts agree that we all have to do the right thing if we plan to send our kids back to school.

References:

  1. https://www.npr.org/2020/07/15/891598558/is-school-safe-will-districts-test-for-covid-19-answering-back-to-school-questio
  2. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/3/e20201440
  3. https://nypost.com/2020/11/29/nyc-elementary-schools-to-reopen-for-in-person-learning-dec-7/
  4. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/american-academy-of-pediatrics-says-benefits-of-in-person-learning-outweigh-coronavirus-risks/ar-BB16b9W9

The importance of bonds

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High-quality bonds still serve an important purpose in most investors’ portfolios even in a low interest rate environment. This lesson was reinforced after the market plummeted in March 2020.

While preaching portfolio diversification with both stocks and bonds has become a cliché, investors experienced the benefits of this approach earlier this year. In March, when the S&P 500 fell over 12%, investment grade bonds were down only 0.6% during the same time period.

A simple diversified portfolio with just 60% in U.S. large cap stocks and 40% in investment grade bonds would be down a more modest 7%. Minimizing volatility also reduces panic selling, which is one way to help all investors stay the course of investing for the long term.

Owning high-quality fixed income provided a psychological benefit by minimizing volatility, which helped investors keep their emotions in check. It also gave investors a buffer from which to withdraw money if their income was reduced due to the state of the economy. Since bonds fluctuate much less than equities, they could sell a bond, instead of their stocks at steep losses, to help make ends meet.

Finally, bonds also provide attractive rebalancing opportunities that may improve one’s return over time.

The benefits of own bonds in one’s portfolio can help keep investors on track toward achieving their financial goals despite the tumult in the markets.

Trading vs. Investing

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Trading and investing are two approaches to participating in the stock market. Each approach brings its own opportunities and risks

  • Investing involves buying an asset you expect will rise in value over the long term, with the goal of long-term gains.
  • Trading, on the other hand, is about timing market short term moves and buying and selling stocks within a short period for quick returns.

With trading, you’re hoping to earn quick returns based on short-term fluctuations in the market and stock price. Long-term investors, in contrast, tend to build diversified portfolios of assets and stay in them for the long term through the ups and downs (volatility) of the market.

Investing basics

Investing is geared towards managing and growing wealth in the market over a longer period of time like years or even decades. This means buying securities with a long-term outlook in mind and holding them through both market ups and downs until you reach your financial goal or are near the end of your investment time horizon.

Investing involves putting money into a financial asset (stocks, bonds, mutual or exchange-traded fund, etc). that you expect will rise in value over time. Investors generally have a long time horizon and predominantly look to build wealth through gradual appreciation and compound interest.

Diversification (owning a mix of investments) is important for investors as it can reduce their risk — mainly by mitigating the effects of volatility.

Trading basics

Trading is all about making frequent, short-term transactions with the goal of “beating the market,” or generating greater returns than you’d expect to receive by buying and holding over a longer time frame.

Trading involves buying and selling stocks or other securities in a short period of time with the goal of making quick profits. While investors typically measure their time horizon in years, traders think in terms of weeks, days, or even minutes.  

Two of the most common forms of trading are day trading and swing trading. Day traders buy and sell a security within the same trading day; positions are never held overnight. Swing traders, on the other hand, buy assets that they expect will rise in value over a matter of days or weeks.

Trading can be a risky endeavor for the uneducated and unskilled trader. If a trade goes against you, you can lose a lot of money in a short period of time. If you have a low risk tolerance and want to avoid volatility, investing will be the way to go. But if you’re more of a risk-taker and would like the chance to earn bigger returns, trading could be appealing.

https://twitter.com/jrdorkin/status/1332382094048202753?s=21

Takeaway

Although the terms — trading and investing — are often used interchangeably: trading focuses on short-term buying and selling, while investing involves buying and holding securities for an extended period of time.

If you’re comfortable with the risks, trading a portion of your money can be rewarding and could lead to higher returns. If reducing risk and volatility are your main goals, then you’ll want to stick with long-term investing to build wealth.

References:

  1. https://www.ally.com/do-it-right/amp/investing/trading-vs-investing/?__twitter_impression=true
  2. https://www.businessinsider.com/trading-vs-investing

Cyber Security for Small Business – Social Engineering

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Social engineering is a cyber criminals favorite way to manipulate and attack small businesses

Small businesses remain extremely exposed to cyberattacks. And, cybersecurity remains one of the primary operational risks for most small businesses . Similarly, many small businesses demonstrate problematic cybersecurity practices in their daily operations.

Almost 60 percent of business executives report an increase receipt of suspicious email over the past year, proving an increasing cyber concern for small businesses. Adapting new technology system without proper knowledge or preparation is another problem of small businesses that may lead to preventable problems like small business owners that may refrain from two-step factor authorization during password setups on a site.

To avoid becoming a victim,  it is important for small businesses to implement proper security measures. From consequences that unpreparedness can bear to reasons behind small businesses as targets, prioritizing cyber-security is extremely critical as hackers get much smarter and more determined.

Cyber security weakest link

People are the weakest link when it comes to cyber security, which is why psychological manipulation of cyber attack victims is so common. Phishing scams, for instance, is an effective form of social engineering in email format that can be sneakily disguised as arriving from legitimate sources. This can fool employees into clicking a virus-filled link.

Social engineering is the psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. This is used to gather information, initiate cyber fraud, or gain unauthorized IT system access.

Preventing an attack

For small businesses, there are plenty of ways on preventing cyber-attacks – from enforcing simple measures or hiring specialized teams to stay alert on the issue. Along with employing IT teams/specialists, training workers on the current dangers of cyber-security is a necessity as it can avert various issues (such as phishing scams as mentioned earlier). Installing security software and investing in proper cyber-security insurance is also vital in securing businesses from these attacks.

With the extent of small business being large targets for attackers, acquiring proper cyber-security is becoming increasingly important and a necessity, particularly in 2020. As small businesses adopt remote work methods, risks and dangers arise, proving that implementing proper precautions like an IT team or training results to be beneficial.

There are many effective practices that small businesses can implement to address selected cybersecurity risks while recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cybersecurity. It is recommended that small businesses consider implementing the following effective practices:

  • Developing identity and access management protocols for staff, including managing the granting, maintenance and termination of access to business and customer data;
  • Limiting access only to their own customers’ data and related reports;
  • Setting minimum password requirements and multi-factor authentication for access to systems and applications employees, vendors, contractors and other insiders;
  • Prohibiting the sharing of passwords among firm staff;
  • Prohibiting the storage of sensitive customer or data in unapproved or prohibited locations (e.g., a file server, cloud provider or thumb drive and without encryption or transmitted without encryption);
  • Establishing minimum encryption standards for all hardware used to access firm systems, including laptops, desktops, servers, mobile devices and removable media devices;
  • Requiring adherence to minimum encryption standards for data-in-transit, such as emails and file transfers that include customer sensitive information;
  • Ensuring only secure, encrypted wireless settings for office and home networks;
  • Maintaining regular patching, anti-virus protection, anti-malware and operating system updates for all computers and servers that access data in a manner that is consistent with industry standards;
  • Developing physical security protocols for all portable devices used to access data and systems, including laptops and mobile devices;
  • Mandating all vendors meet business’ security requirements, especially if the data or other sensitive information will be accessed or maintained by the vendor; and
  • Creating processes and selecting approved vendors for the secure disposal of hard copy records and firm computer hardware (e.g., hardware listed in the firm’s inventory) that may contain sensitive information.

References:

  1. https://cyber-security.mytechmag.com/cyber-security-for-small-businesses-is-important-now-1379.html
  2. https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/636083/10-alarming-cybersecurity-facts/#:~:text=%2010%20alarming%20cybersecurity%20facts%20%201%20There,are%20more%20than%203%20billion%20active…%20More%20

Plans for First COVID Vaccines | Reuter’s

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Nationwide coronavirus deaths hit the highest number for a single day in six months.

Vaccination of Americans against the coronavirus will begin as early as mid-December. And, some 60 million to 70 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine could be available per month beginning in January, after the regulatory approval of products from Pfizer Inc (PFE) and Moderna Inc (MRNA), said Moncef Slaoui, a former GlaxoSmithKline executive who is overseeing the vaccine portion of the U.S. program.

A Food and Drug Administration panel of outside advisers will meet next week on December 10, 2020, to discuss whether to recommend emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine, developed with BioNTech. Moderna’s (MRNA) vaccine candidate is expected to be reviewed a week later.

“Some 20 million people could be inoculated against COVID-19 by the end of 2020 and most Americans will have access to highly effective (near 95% efficacy) vaccines by mid-2021”, said the chief adviser of the President’s Operation Warp Speed program .

“Within 24 hours, maybe at most 36 to 48 hours, from the approval, the vaccine can be in people’s arms,” Slaoui said.

An estimated 21 million healthcare workers and 3 million residents of long-term care facilities are expected to be first in line to receive the vaccine, according to a recommendation voted on by a CDC panel of advisers

References:

  1. https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN28B5DH?__twitter_impression=true
  2. https://www.msn.com/en-au/lifestyle/wellbeing/us-plans-for-first-covid-vaccines-as-pandemic-deaths-surge-again/ar-BB1bwJf5

Benefits of Regular Exercise for the Brain

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There are many long-term benefits of regular exercise for your brain.

Studies have shown how essential and significant exercise or physical activities can be for keeping your brain fit and healthy. And, you can actually build a stronger brain through exercise.

Regular exercise improves mood

Regular exercise has a significant positive influence on mental well-being and can boost the mental health. Thus, if you need an emotional lift or a need to relieve the stress of a trying day? Exercise or moderate physical activity, like a brisk walk, is the solution.

Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious.

Endorphins

The body’s feel-good chemical, known as endorphins, are released during exercise. Endorphins help focus your mind, reduce the impact of pain on your body, and improve your mood. In fact, some reports indicate the endorphins released during exercise have much of the same effect as traditional anxiety medication, and the results can last for hours afterward. There is ample evidence pointing towards endorphins’ positive effects.

Take your brain to the gym to maximize mental and whole-body health

Evidence does suggest that resistance training and aerobic exercise — walking, running, biking, swimming — will help your brain. In one study, older adults with mild cognitive impairment who lifted weights two to three times a week improved muscle tone and cognitive function, according to the Mayo Clinic.

  • Moreover, walking and other moderate aerobic exercise has been shown to help stabilize your mood and help with depressive symptoms. Studies have also found that regular exercise helps people better control their stress and regulate their emotions.
  • Physical activity contributes to learning. In one study, when teachers added exercise routines to math lessons — called motor-enriched learning — math scores improved faster for the exercisers than for the kids who didn’t exercise during the lesson. Other studies have found that exercise helps improve reading comprehension, too.

    • A few of the brain enhancing findings to motivate you to get started today.

    1. Feel better.
    2. Enhance learning. While scientists don’t fully understand how
    3. Sharpen memory.
    4. Improve vision.

    Your brain is amazing. Billions of nerve cells work together in harmony to coordinate every second of your life: your movements, behavior, thoughts, memories and emotions. So take your brain to the gym to maximize whole-body health.

    References:

    1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/want-a-strong-brain-exercise/art-20390074
    2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389

    Cyber Security Checklist

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    Working Together to Prevent Fraud and Protect Your Financial Data

    Threats to your cyber security are constantly growing.  Most organizations have systems in place to protect you, but you can take steps on your own to fight hackers.

    Even with tremendous investments in cyber security, the most prevalent way for hackers and fraudsters to gain access is to exploit human behavior through social engineering or simply uncovering information that hasn’t been well protected by a consumer.

    It’s hard to keep up with all your accounts and your distributed digital footprint. Following a simple cyber security checklist can help you avoid becoming an easy target for hackers and fraudsters.

    1. Use strong passwords and protect them

    • Create long passwords that contain symbols, numbers, and uppercase and lowercase letters
    • Don’t store your passwords anywhere
    • Don’t reuse or recycle your passwords
    • Don’t share your passwords with anyone
    • Change your passwords using a randomly generated schedule
    • Ensure that your passwords bear no resemblance to former passwords 

    2. Opt in to multifactor authentication where available. Multifactor authentication requires additional verifying information to grant access to an account. This gives your accounts an added layer of security. Multifactor authentication can include:

    • SMS or email notifications 
    • Biometric identification 
    • Tokens

    3. Avoid links from unknown sources in text, email, instant message, social media and websites

    • Be suspicious of any message that asks you to provide personal information. Banks never uses emails or text messages to solicit your personal information.
    • Hover your mouse over hyperlinks to inspect their true destination
    • Make sure you’re on the right site before entering personal information—such as your name, address, birth date, Social Security number, phone number or credit card number
    • Report suspicious email that claims to be from financial institutions to the financial institution
    • Learn as much as you can about phishing

    4. Limit what you share on social media and who can view your profile

    You should protect the following information in particular:

    • Your birthdate 
    • Your street address
    • Geotagged photos 
    • The time you’re away on vacation

    5. Secure your devices

    • Always keep your device’s software updated (use the latest operating system and browser versions available)
    • Download apps from trusted app stores 
    • Turn off Wi-Fi/file sharing/AirDrop options when not in use 
    • Avoid working with personal or sensitive data when you’re using unsecured, public Wi-Fi

    6. Secure your important documents

    • Protect your Social Security cards, passports and birth certificates by storing them in a secure place such as a safe deposit box, and only carry them when you need them for a specific purpose. 
    • This information can be used by an identity thief to commit fraud like taking over your financial accounts, opening new loans and credit cards, and establishing utility services in your name.

    7. Shred documents containing personal/financial information

    • When you’re done reviewing your paper documents like your receipts, financial statements, or credit card bills, put them in the shredder instead of the trash.

    8. Order your credit report annually from each credit bureau

    • Best practice: Order a free copy once a year from AnnualCreditReport.com and from a different bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) every four months so that you’re always covered.

    9. Keep your contact information up to date.

    • Update your email, mobile phone and mailing address.

    10. Opt in to security alerts, and promptly respond to the notifications you receive

    • If you haven’t done so already, set up alerts to keep tabs on your account.

     

    References:

    1. https://www.bbt.com/education-center/articles/cyber-security-checklist.html
    2. https://www.finra.org/compliance-tools/cybersecurity-checklist