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COVID Community Checkup

COVID Community Checkup

During these challenging times, it's vital to get information directly from hospital experts on topics surrounding COVID-19 in our communities. In our COVID Community Checkup series, Lakshmi Halasyamani, MD, Chief Medical Officer for NorthShore University HealthSystem, addresses questions and topics related to COVID-19.

These videos will appear first on our Facebook and YouTube pages every week. Follow us to get updates or to watch live.

Episode 22 - Mask Confusion Cleared Up

Episode 22

May 27, 2021 - If you are vaccinated, when is it safe to take off your mask? Are we putting our unvaccinated loved ones at risk? And should we be concerned with myocarditis in pediatric vaccine patients? Practical perspective from Chief Medical Officer Lakshmi Halasyamani, MD, in this week’s episode.

Episode 21 - Vaccine & Younger Adolescents

Episode 21

May 13, 2021 - Special guest NorthShore Pediatrician Dr. Sharon Robinson, MD, is back with us to share her expert advice on what you need to know about the COVID vaccine for children, ages 12 to 15. What reactions did children have in the clinical trials? Should parents wait a few months or get their kids vaccinated now? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 20 - Mental Health & COVID

Episode 20

April 29, 2021 - Do you feel “blah” marked by feelings of indifference, withdrawal, or inefficiency? Special Guest Dr. Katherine Hanson, a clinical psychologist with Swedish Hospital, talks about a new term we’re feeling - called “Languishing.”

Episode 19 - Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Pause

Episode 18

April 15, 2021 - What is Dr. Halasyamani’s perspective on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause? Which variants are spreading in our local communities? And why are some people who have been vaccinated still getting COVID? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 18 - Your Heart & COVID

Episode 18

April 1, 2021 - Does COVID have a hidden impact on your heart? Which symptoms should active individuals recovering from COVID be concerned with? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 17 - Spring Break Travel

Episode 17

March 18, 2021 - Are the safety guidelines different for those who are vaccinated vs. those who are not? Is it safer to travel by car or by plane? And how long do we have to wait post-vaccination for maximum protection? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 16 - Third Vaccine on the Scene

Episode 16

March 4, 2021 - What do we know about the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine? Should we be concerned about lower efficacy? How are patients reacting to receiving this new vaccine? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 15 - Myths, Mistrust, and Vaccine Chatter

Episode 15

February 25, 2021 - This week we welcome special guest NorthShore Pediatrician Sharon Robinson, MD, for a dynamic conversation about healthcare mistrust from black and brown communities, how to talk to your friends and family about the hot topic of vaccination, and why the age ranges for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are different. Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 14 - Vaccine Balancing Act

Episode 14

February 18, 2021 - There is a major mismatch in available vaccine doses and those qualified to receive the vaccine. Does the opening of access for group 1c impact NorthShore’s focus on patients 65+? And is double masking necessary? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 13 - Vaccines: Is There a Delay?

Episode 13

February 11, 2021 - Why does the COVID-19 vaccine rollout seem so slow? Should people with certain health conditions avoid vaccination? How can you learn more about COVID vaccine ingredients? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 12 - Vaccine Prep

Episode 11

February 4, 2021 - Does the COVID vaccine prevent infection/transmission or simply minimize your symptoms? Should you take pain reliever before receiving your vaccine? And what is the latest on COVID vaccine supply? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode.

Episode 11 - Vaccine Distribution & Virus Variants

Episode 11

January 27, 2021 - What’s the latest on our patients age 65+ receiving vaccine? Will the vaccine protect us against all these new COVID variants?

Episode 10 - COVID-19 Vaccine Myths

Episode 10

January 20, 2021 - Does the COVID-19 vaccine impact fertility? If you’ve had COVID, is vaccination recommended? How can those 65+ access the vaccine?

Episode 9 - More Vaccines, Faster Distribution?

Episode 8

January 14, 2021 - Vaccine rollout. We take a closer look at what you need to know about new federal guidelines set for Americans 65 and older.

Episode 8 - New COVID-19 Variants

Episode 8

January 7, 2021 - Should we be afraid of new COVID variants? Is there an action to take while you wait for the COVID vaccine? Answers to these questions and more.

Episode 7 - Have We Seen the Worst of COVID?

Episode 7

December 30, 2020 - Do we know more about COVID Vaccine side effects? What is a "COVID Bubble" and why is it important? Answers to these questions and more.

Episode 6 - Vaccination Progress

Episode 6

December 23, 2020 - This week's episode addresses NorthShore's vaccination progress, the new possible strain in the UK and masking beyond vaccination

Episode 5 - Vaccine Q&A

Episode 5

December 17, 2020 - This week's episode covers questions about COVID and the vaccine from the community.

Episode 4 - Vaccine Safety

Episode 4

December 10, 2020 - What are the possible side effects of the COVID vaccine? Then a look at how the COVID-19 vaccine works, all in this weeks episode.

Episode 3 - COVID Vaccines

Episode 3

December 2, 2020 - Is there a difference between the two COVID vaccines? And are they safe? In this week's episode, we address these questions.

Episode 2 - Patient Surge

Episode 2

November 25, 2020As patient hospitalizations continue to increase, we discuss how COVID-19 is effecting all age groups.

Episode 1 - Local Impact

Episode 1

November 18, 2020Learn about the local impact, how you can take action, reduce your risk, and more!