When 5-year-old Brody Sinks began feeling ill over the weekend, at first, his mother, Megan Sinks, had been concerned. However, she attributed his symptoms to the stomach flu.
Now Brody is hospitalized with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a rare but serious inflammatory condition affecting children who have contracted coronavirus.
âWeâve all had the stomach flu,â she said, saying she had not known about MIS-C and its symptoms before her son became ill. âIt just quickly progressed from there without missing a beat. It was fast.â
Symptoms began with flu-like symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and a fever, which initially could be broken by giving the boy Tylenol. However, she said, her son began to complain about abdominal pain and his fever became more severe. By Sunday, he had a rash that covered his body and complained of joint pain so severe he could not walk.
Itâs a balancing act.
On Monday, Nebraska and other states started receiving the first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Panhandle will receive its shipment of the vaccine any day now, with officials saying âmid-December.â
Tabi Prochazka, deputy director of health promotions and preparedness for Panhandle Public Health District, outlined the phases of distribution for the vaccine.
Health care personnel, such as those who work in hospitals, home health care, pharmacies and even dentists and optometrists, will be the first to receive the vaccine, along with residents and staff in long-term care facilities. In a second phase, first responders, those who work in education, ag industries, utility and transportation will also receive the vaccination. After that, persons over the age of 65, vulnerable populations such as the disabled and homeless, and students or others who live in congregate settings, such as colleges and universities, will be able to get the vaccine