This is hopeful news and worth knowing, but not a cure-all. Remember that people who have contracted the virus and survived may also suffer lingering effects. It’s best not to get it in the first place. In a White House briefing on Monday, March 29, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky “went off script� and made an emotional plea to hold off openings “for a little while longer,� as a fourth surge of COVID-19 infection is anticipated in the next couple of weeks. With just 10% of LA County fully vaccinated, the CDC warns of Spring Break tourism surging in LA and virus cases climbing throughout the nation. Cases of the virus are up about 10% per week and daily infections now total about 60,000 cases per day nationally. Dr. Walensky warned that “without sustained contrary action the country could follow Europe into another spike in cases and suffer another wave of deaths.� With hope waiting in the wings for a fully vaccinated population, it was surprising news to hear Rachel Maddow reveal on her program last week that “several Monoclonal Antibody therapies have been given Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA to treat Covid-19 patients who meet certain criteria. “Even as research shows monoclonal antibody therapies decrease hospitalizations by 70% in high-risk patients,� Dr. David Kessler, chief science officer for the Biden administration’s Covid response, says “only 32% of what has been shipped has been put into use, leaving hundreds of thousands of doses available.� Treatment with therapies such as Remdesivir, Dexamethazone, and Monoclonal Antibodies, are free, according to Maddow’s report, but aren’t as convenient as the vaccination because they require patients to locate an infusion center to receive the treatment that takes about an hour. “Just please hold on a little while longer,� Dr Walensky pleaded. “Get vaccinated when you can, so that all of those people that we all love will still be here when this pandemic ends.� RESOURCES The following resources are recommended by Dr. Kessler and also posted on Maddow’s website (msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/further-information-monoclonal-antibody-treatments-n1258213). Dr. Kessler advises that if you or a family member test positive for Covid-19 and are at high risk, go to CombatCovid.hhs.gov to locate sites in your area that administer monoclonal antibody treatments. There are handy fact sheets on monoclonal antibody treatments from the Health and Human Services’s (HHS’s) Public Health Emergency (phe.gov) site with treatment options for patients, doctors, and health care providers. This site can also help locate infusion centers where the treatments are administered. These sites are also available in Spanish. REMINDER: Continue to observe CDC precautions: Wear a mask in public, wash your hands, practice social distancing, avoid crowds, and get vaccinated.