Leading from Home: What’s on the Agenda?

Leading from Home: What’s on the Agenda?

Dr. Talecia Y. Parks, D.B.A

Walden University: National Society for Leadership and Success

October 1, 2022

COVID-19

???????????There are more than 224 million cases globally and over 89 Million cases in United States. The fatality rate has exceeded 1 million cases. The daily average number of cases is 400,000 per day in the U.S. The BA. 5 subvariant continues to spread rapidly. Although the FDA approved an Omicron specific BA.4 and BA.5 Pfizer and Moderna booster for emergency use less than 2% which equates to 4.4 million of the general population has received the bivalent booster. More than 209 million individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine averaging 57%. More than 189 million people in the U.S. which equates to more than 68% that are fully vaccinated. Moderna gained emergency authorization to administer boosters to children ages 6-17. According to research, boosters increase protection by more than 70%. The BA. 5 variant is still highly contagious and accounts for more than 89% of all cases. More than 12.84 million Americans are still receiving unemployment benefits. There were 219,275 new unemployment claims the United States. The unemployment rate remains at 3.6 percent. Approximately 304,000 new jobs were added within the last month. The labor shortages of employees and supplies remains problematic globally. The job market and employment opportunities continue to increase. The at-risk population should continue to refrain from high risk areas to limit exposure as the Delta, Omicron and new subvariant continues to spread.?

Global

???????????Global travel has increased around the world. Global leaders remain focused on vaccinating the general public as cases have exceeded 280 million. More than 10 million fatalities have occurred Employers are still working to decrease staffing shortages across industries. Brazil is still contacting global leaders to obtain more vaccines for distribution. More than 56% out of 210 million individuals are fully vaccinated in Brazil. In Germany around 55% of individuals have been fully vaccinated with only 72% receiving the first dose. New York’s dining capacity has increased to 75% due to the number of cases caused by the new subvariant. Countries that have vaccinated more than 90% of the population remain: Pitcairn, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Brunei, Singapore, Chilie and Malta. Around 70% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated [not including boosters].

According to John Hopkins University, the states with the highest number of case remain California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan and New Jersey. Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma and West Virginia have still have the highest number of fatalities. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota and New York have the lowest number of fatalities. With a possible surge in cases obtaining herd immunity where more than 70% to 85% of the population must be vaccinated seems unlikely. The States with the highest number of variants are still Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Georgia and Florida, Michigan and New Jersey. The variant continues to spread globally while impacting the lives of many. In the U.S. fully vaccinated individuals are now at an increased risk and mandates to wear masks are still declining in workplaces and businesses. The U.S. states that have fully vaccinated more than 57% of the population remain: Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts’s, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Washington D.C. United States with the least amount of fully vaccinated residents: Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Louisiana.

There are still a few states where more than 50% of the population has been fully vaccinated and boosted: Vermont, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, Iowa and Rhode Island. Asymptomatic transmission continues to account for more than 40% of all cases. The S&P 500 decreased by 9.3%. That’s roughly around 54 points. Netflix has gained some momentum since losing more than 200,000 subscribers earlier in the year; the stocks increased by 34%. The technology market remains volatile. The prices of homes will decrease 10% by next year. Mortgage rates continue to mirror rates of 2008. Consumer loan rates are skyrocketing. The price of oil remains steady allowing consumers to increase travel. The cost of goods and services continue to increase due to inflation.?

Education

???????????School systems and administrations are eager to move on from the pandemic. Remote learning is still an option in some school districts colleges and universities. Vaccinations remain a priority for both students and educators. Health officials are continuing to work with school officials to obtain case information. An average of 40% of parents with young children still refuse to vaccinate their children. Around 20% of parents with children ages 6 months to 5 have vaccinated their children. More than 26% of parents are continuing to determine the impact of the vaccination on other children. Although Pfizer was approved to administer boosters to children 5-11 the vaccinate rates are increasing gradually. Moderna was approved to administer vaccines to children 6 months to 17. Pfizer’s approved for children 5-11 has not increased vaccination rates as much as expected. Pfizer obtained authorization for boosters for children ages 12-15. More than 20 million children remain unvaccinated. Adhering to guidelines and avoiding contact with at-risk family members is vital due to vaccinated individuals exposure at the same rate as unvaccinated individuals. Encourage students to plan something fun and exciting to do.

Healthcare

Healthcare officials are starting to feel some relief in the healthcare systems and are now preparing for a possible surge in cases. About 72% of the United States population is fully vaccinated. Yet only 50% have received boosters. People who have not been vaccinated have a higher risk of contracting the virus. It is recommended that individuals 12 and older receive the vaccine if a minimum of two months has passed since the last dose. The emergency use boosters consists of the original vaccine and targets BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron. Pfizer is a 30 microgram dose for individuals 12 and older. Moderna is a 50 microgram dose for individuals 18 and older. According to research, 2-4% of patients continue to experience rebound systems within the fist week; 5-6% of patients experience rebound symptoms within a month. Extensive trail data remains limited among the vulnerable population. The Paxlovid and Merk’s Molnupiravir are effective but must be administered early to increase effectiveness. Due to the refusal to get vaccinated, individuals under 50 are continuing to contract the virus at a higher rate. Military doctors and nurses remain in hospitals and facilities amid the shortages. Individuals with Guillain-Barre Syndrome should continue to refrain receiving the vaccine as it is still deemed unsafe. CVS, Walgreens and Wal-Mart are now administering the bivalent booster. Individuals with pre-existing conditions [high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, etc.] should continue to limit contact due to the virus.?

Government

???????????Federal, State and local government agencies preparing for a surge in the virus. A vote is scheduled to determine the outcomes of the recommended emergency use of Pfizer and Moderna boosters. The government is ended the free at home testing program due to resources allocation. Pfizer’s approval to administer vaccines to children 5-11 a step in the right direction. Moderna’s authorization to administer vaccines to children ages 6 months to 17 is progress. The FDA’s approved Remdesivr to treat children and infants is decreasing the number of fatalities Novavax is recommended for children 12-17. Johnson & Johnson is only approved for individuals 18 and older. Government officials must continuously work with healthcare professionals to implement best practices to minimize the impact of the pandemic. Individuals with pre-existing health conditions should continue to limit exposure to no more than 15 minutes to decrease the likelihood of contracting the virus due to the virus.?

What’s on the Agenda?

This is the time of year that I reflect and ponder about my goals, aspirations and what’s on the agenda. I received the bivalent booster a few weeks ago just in case I decide to venture out of my shell and plan something fun. I didn’t experience pain at the injection site until I was asleep and then it hit me. I could barely move. The next day I was well. As I sit and gaze, I am grateful for life’s experiences that have continued to assist in my personal and professional growth. I am simply elated to have health and strength along with the tenacity to excel. Planning is an important aspect that will allow you to reach your full potential. Write things down that are important and create timelines for completion. Remember to continue to maintain a positive environment conducive for growth. When encountering negative forces trying to hinder your progress, let it be a reminder that hurt people often hurt people. Carry on because you have an agenda. Success is obtained through perseverance and making strides even when you lack support. Sadly, not everyone wants to see you excel. It’s unfortunate because there’s enough successful avenues for everyone. Focus on what’s on your agenda.

Summary

???????????Federal, State and local governmental officials are developing plans for the surge of the virus. Although the FDA approved Omicron specific BA.4 and BA.5 component for boosters, less than 2% of the general population have received the bivalent booster. As a result of refusal to get vaccinated, individuals under 50 are contracting the virus at a higher rate. More than 40% of parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Although Pfizer approved a second booster for individuals over 50 and the immunocompromised the administration of the boosters remain low. The vaccination rates among seniors continues to increase. Scientists and Health Officials are encouraging individuals to obtain the bivalent boosters for Pfizer and Moderna that are readily accessible at local pharmacies. It is important to continue to proceed with caution when gathering because fully vaccinated individuals are still prone to contracting the virus. Think about what’s on the agenda as we continue to lead from home to save lives.