 | By Daphne Lee, News Editor | | | We've been talking about COVID variants like some invasive species coming for our planet. But if we tested positive for COVID-19, we don't actually know which variant we have. Does it matter? | | | Today's Top Story | | Genomic Sequencing and COVID Variants |  | Scientists are racing to detect the Omicron variant through genomic sequencing, a lengthy process that's done in labs for public health surveillance.
In the case of COVID-19, the main purpose of sequencing is to monitor mutations to a virus and identify how a variant may affect vaccine efficacy and treatment.
Scientists report sequenced data to health authorities for evaluation, but they're not allowed to release the results to the tested patients or doctors unless their lab has a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) certification. Most labs aren't CLIA-certified and they don't really have the incentive to become certified.
Pavitra Roychoudhury, MSc, a researcher working in a sequencing lab at the University of Washington, said there's no obvious benefit to returning test results about specific variants for now. Even if COVID-19 patients find out which variant they have, they would have to follow the same recovery protocols. Precautions like vaccination, mask wearing, and social distancing are still effective against the circulating variants. | | Know More | | Scientists are studying the Omicron variant's sensitivity to existing vaccines, its transmissibility, as well as disease severity. These findings will help determine whether we need an Omicron-specific vaccine. | | Feel Better | | So far, researchers say Omicron seems more transmissible, but it hasn't fundamentally changed the ways we can protect ourselves. While we wait for more data on the variant, getting a booster shot, wearing a face mask, and testing before a large gathering are some of the best precautions for this holiday season. | | |  | | A Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll on prescription drug prices found that three in 10 U.S. adults have cut prescription pills in half, skipped a dose, or taken an over-the-counter drug instead because of the cost. Although a majority of Americans can afford their prescription drugs, around 83% of the respondents said that the prices are unreasonable. |  |  | | 13 Million Americans Skip Medicine Due to High Costs | | A recent survey found that in the year prior to the pandemic, nearly 13 million Americans skipped or delayed their prescribed medications because they couldn't afford the costs. Some people resorted to cutting the pills in half or taking an over-the-counter alternative. Researchers are hoping that the Biden administration's Build Back Better Act will address issues like insurance coverage gaps and inflation in drug prices. | | | | Not All Saturated Fats Are Bad | | We're always told to avoid saturated fats, but that's not the full story. Some foods containing saturated fats, like yogurt and fish, may actually lower heart disease risk because of their other nutritional properties. Current dietary guidelines often advise to limit a specific nutrient, but it's more important to evaluate your overall food sources. | | | | | | | |  | | In an interview with Verywell, Jared M. O'Leary, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that your heart health depends on a myriad of factors in addition to diet. |  | | It's important to first get the big things right. By this I mean avoid smoking, avoid sugars and heavily processed carbohydrates, particularly if they're in a liquid form. If you choose to consume alcohol, do it in moderation. Exercise every day. And if you have medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, be sure these are being treated adequately by your doctor. | |  |  | Jared M. O'Leary, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center
| | | In Other News | | | ■ | The World Is Ending. Why Are We Still at Work? Vox | | | | | ■ | Why It Feels Like 'Everyone' Has COVID Now. Slate | | | | | ■ | Can Doctors Practice With Mental Health Issues? Inverse | | | | | | | |  |     | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
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