Alright, Tahoe people! Remember back in spring 2022 when I, your local health journalist and intuitive, had that hunch that COVID-19 variants were gonna keep popping up, and there wouldn’t be a quick fix? Well, fast forward to fall 2025, and those new variants are definitely here in our Golden State, keeping us on our toes whether we’re hitting the slopes or just chilling by the lake. We’re all feeling that COVID fatigue, but folks are still getting sick, vaxxed or not. The latest ones making waves are Omicron strains. So it’s time to stay safe out there!

The glitch is, while the new variants may not be as deadly as the deadly as what we experienced before–it can wreak havoc on the mind and body more than you may think. But we do have therapeutics as I predicted we would, much like with HIV.  And they are discovering getting infected can have long-term effects on organs and neurological damage. Plus, keep in mind, the variants don’t care if you’re vaxxed–or not. It’s on a mission. And once hit by a variant it doesn’t mean you have naturally immunity against another strain. You do not. Think of it as another enemy wearing different clothes and fighting differently.

People with healthy immune systems are not immune either (but often these people are more health oriented) so they may do better when infected with one of many variants. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you stay healthier and you end up contracting the virus, your body will be in better shape to fight the symptoms of the flu and get well faster.

SO NOW WHAT DO YOU DO?

• Mask Up:  In high-risk regions where there is a surge, masks may help lower the spread of COVID strains.
• Get Home Tested: In 15 minutes you will know if COVID is responsible if you are feeling any symptoms-–regardless of your vaccination status.
• Stay Home if Sick: Isolate for at least 5 days if you test positive. Why do you want to spread the virus to other people? Get well!
• Find out if available therapeutics are right for you by consulting with your doctor.
• Guard Your Immune System: rink plenty of fluids. Eat right. Avoid sugar. Exercise. Chill out.
• Be on your guard during this fall when holidays and travel increase. Social distancing is the way to go in super crowded areas to avoid germs.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and The Ghost Ships. Currently, the new, revised 2nd ed. of a popular Healing Powers book, 2026 is in productions.   She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is http://www.calorey.com