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I took this photo during an afternoon adventure with my kids at Two Lights State Park, just before the start of school.
This was one of the most beautiful, magical summers I can remember. I cherish this time with my kiddos, who are growing up so quickly!

However, as we run head-long into fall, this picture also seemed most appropriate for a post titled "Rocky Waters".
For that is exactly where we are at, folks.

As disheartening as it is for me, as a healthcare provider, this pandemic isn't yet over. As my children head into school, some of their classmates, and patients of all ages, are heading into the hospital.

I get asked often, in my work, about the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. I find myself repeating the same information often enough, I thought it might help to put it up here so that folks can refer back to these sources as needed. These are the sources I use on a regular basis, as I make decisions for myself, my family, and my patients.

Most importantly though, no matter what your political affiliation or personal beliefs, please understand,...the virus doesn't care. It's here, and it's too widespread at this point to be avoided. It's a statistical certainty that every man, woman, and child on this earth with encounter it at some point, if they don't die of something else first.

The one thing we DO have control over is how prepared we are for its arrival. Take care of yourselves, be kind to your neighbors. Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have. I'll do my part by trying to get you the most accurate information, so you can make informed decisions.

In Health,
Dr. Norman

Number of Mainers diagnosed with COVID-19 between July 1st and Sept 4th: 42,386
Number of those who were vaccinated to COVID-19: 2,059
Ratio of unvaccinated to vaccinated Mainers who contracted COVID: 19 to 1

Number of unvaccinated Mainers hospitalized for COVID July 1-Sept 4: 960
Number of vaccinated Mainers hospitalized: 101
Ratio of unvaccinated to vaccinated Mainers hospitalized for COVID: 9.5 to 1
Average rate by which unvaccinated people are hospitalized for COVID, vs vaccinated people, country-wide: 13-23 times (risk depends on age)

Safety data on COVID-19 vaccines: Here

Types of healthcare workers who are legally required to report vaccine adverse effects: ALL of them
Website to report vaccine adverse events: Here
Two-Hour series on COVID Myths vs Data: COVID Vaccine Myths, Questions, and Rumors with Rhonda Patrick and Roger Seheult

For every COVID-positive patient who needs hospital or ICU care, that is one fewer bed that can be used by any other patient needing care. As of yesterday, Maine had 83 COVID patients in ICU beds, leaving 50 ICU beds still available state-wide.
Video of what it's like to care for COVID-19 patients in a Maine ICU: Here

Stay safe out there, folks.

Sources:
(1) https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus/data.shtml
(2) https://twitter.com/nirav_mainecdc
(3) https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7034e5.htm
(4) https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/09/23/metro/maine-covid-19-hospitalizations-set-record-variant-targets-unvaccinated/
(5) https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/maine?view=cumulative-deaths&tab=trend

(6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp-nPZETLTo