Mark Stoller moved to Falcon in 2007.†He and his wife, Andra, both U.S. Air Force veterans, enjoy life with their daughters, extended family and adopted rescue dogs in Latigo. Mark savors the privilege of his wife and daughters being his muse for topics, people to meet and places to investigate.
The January edition is dedicated to health and wellness. Weíll look at COVID mutations and Christmas accounts.Letís begin with COVID mutations. First, there was endless coverage on COVID-19 (actually three variants existed ñ Alpha, Beta, Gamma). Now we hear about the fourth variant ìDeltaî and the fifth variant ìOmicron.îGo to the World Health Organization web page called Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants (https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants). They identify existing nomenclatures and the origin of all the virus mutations being watched. Spoiler alert: Lambda and Mu are next in this pandemic.Brandon Lessells, an infectious-diseases physician at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, states, ìBecause SARS-CoV-2 is part of a large group of coronaviruses, researchers have seen many variations of the spike proteins for which these viruses are named. The Omicron variant stood out because it contains more than 30 changes to the spike protein ó the SARS-CoV-2 protein that recognizes host cells and is the main target of the bodyís immune responses. Research shows the antibodies created after vaccination will recognize and respond to many variations of the spike protein.îWhat should variations and mutations mean to us?OSF Healthcare reports viruses rely on a host to survive and replicate. They invade the body and bind with the hostís cells to allow its own genetic material to enter the cells. The hostís own cells read the genetic code and replicate it, making more of the virus.That new virus then leaves the cell in search of another host to infect. Sometimes, when that genetic code is being translated into proteins, a piece of the code gets changed. This is called a mutation, and they happen frequently.Most of the time when these mutations occur, they are of no consequence, because one adjustment doesnít change the protein configuration. These small changes are called ìdrift,î and usually translate into changes in a proteinís structure that allow our immune systems to continue to recognize and respond to an antigen. Whatís more concerning are changes called ìshiftî ó abrupt, major changes in the structure of a virus. If a virus changes enough, it could respond differently to treatments or become less recognizable to the antibodies developed after natural infection or vaccination.There are 23 nucleotides in countless combinations that replicate within your body. The hard fact is the COVID virus will continue to mutate, change genetic code, and we will need both vaccine and booster shots to bolster our immune system from the ravages of the virus.COVID and flu have very similar symptoms. Itís best to get your flu vaccine, too.Weíll switch from physical health to financial health. January is the month for buyerís remorse. Stereotypically, a vast majority receive their next credit card bill with the crushing effects of Christmas present purchases.I grew up watching shows like Leave it To Beaver, Hazel, My Three Sons and Andy Griffith, etc. In different episodes, the characters mention going to the bank to deposit money in their Christmas account.I was 47 when I realized I didnít have to rack up credit debt if I had an account of money saved toward Christmas.If youíre looking at a huge credit card bill and donít have a separate account at the bank for Christmas purchases, stop reading my column RIGHT NOW and open a new savings account at your bank.Figure out how much you spend per person, total the sum, and divide by 11, which allows you to have the money saved by Black Friday.Youíll find Christmas more enjoyable when it is paid for and the New Year brighter without unneeded debt.
