A common argument against COVID-19 vaccination is “Surely the vaccines can’t be effective if I require a booster?”
All vaccines work to train the immune system to recognise foreign invaders and produce antibodies that will attack them. But the strength of the initial immune response, and the amount of time the antibodies will last, varies depending on both the pathogen the vaccine is fighting, and the vaccine itself.
We all know the experience when, at the crucial moment, the rolling blackout hits and bam, you are no longer in that meeting, or the piece of equipment you’re using cuts out mid-job. But we South Africans are creative people and have found ways to manage as best we can. Now, with the anticipated hike in electricity tariffs, we need to be creative about reducing our energy usage.
It’s been a rough two years – physically, emotionally and financially. Even those who are usually the most committed to their new year’s goals have had to re-assess as COVID-19 numbers swirled, petrol prices sky-rocketed, and load-shedding made an unwelcome return.
January is a ‘fresh’ time of year – a bit like it feels outdoors after a good shower of rain. You’re feeling refreshed and full of hope that maybe, just maybe, 2022 is going to be better than last year. It’s time to imagine how fit, how healthy, how light your 2022 self will be.
Some parts of the country are experiencing really hot weather. If you are drinking too little water, you could be at the risk of dehydrating. Our bodies are designed to work at an ideal temperature. When our environment is hot, in an attempt to keep our temperature stable, we perspire. As the moisture evaporates it cools our skin which, in turn, cools the blood vessels and hence our whole body.
As we enter 2022, the recognition of the milder physical effects of the Omicron Covid-19 variant brings some hope that the pandemic might be easing, or even coming to an end. That is why Government announced the lifting of many restrictions on movement and activities. You can again go to bars and restaurants – and the beach!
