I am still amazed at how many healthcare providers tell patients that there is no treatment for COVID-19, sending them home with no treatment or education on treatment options. Mild COVID-19 symptoms can be treated at home with supportive supplements like vitamin D, zinc, famotidine, and quercetin. Inhaled steroids, like budesonide, are very effective when started early. People who have other disease processes like obesity, autoimmune disease, high blood pressure, and DM are candidates for IV infusion of monoclonal antibodies for treatment of COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies are very effective if given within the first 10 days of illness, but earlier in the disease process is better.. Monoclonal antibody infusion has been opened up to COVID-19 patients ages 18 and over. Unfortunately, there still is a criteria that has to be meet before the infusion can be given. I personally think that monoclonal antibody treatment should be open to anyone who would like to have it. They work that well. Another off label treatment for COVID-19 is ivermectin. Ivermectin is being used by Integrative Practitioners, including myself, with seemingly good results. I don’t recommend taking ivermectin from your local Co-Op store but getting it from a reputable compounding pharmacy. Ivermectin given early may help fight COVID-19 and some are taking ivermectin 1 or 2 times a week as a preventative. There are currently no large studies on the use of ivermectin, but preliminary studies suggest it works against severe pulmonary effects of COVID-19 (A five-day course of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 may reduce the duration of illness – PubMed (nih.gov).

COVID-19 is a real disease that has taken many lives including my father, Dr. Robert Elliott. He was an 84 year old physician and researcher. He was a dedicated physician who got up everyday at 4 am, worked all day, and was working on exciting research involving mitochondria and neuromuscular diseases. He started having gastrointestinal symptoms which he had often from irritable bowel. He did not take advice and get tested for COVID-19 until around 10 days of being ill. He did not go to the hospital until his oxygen was in the 70s. COVID-19 in some patients elicit an immune response that we call a “cytokine storm”. In other words, our own immune system becomes our enemy and causes damage to tissues like the lungs. Once a person is in this “cytokine storm” the only real treat is dexamethasone and supportive care. I do believe that if my father had gotten tested early and had monoclonal antibodies, he would be here today. I also believe that if he had had the COVID-19 vaccine, he would still be alive. He was a man of faith and did not fear COVID-19, but COVID-19 ended up taking his life. To my Christian brothers and sisters, I urge you to pray about the vaccine and weather it is right for you. Fear is not our prophet and this kind of fear does not come from God. God is not the author of confusion. John 10:10 states clearly that it is the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give us life more abundantly. Fear brings with it torment. James 3:17 tells us: But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). Let peace be your guide and let’s honor each other.

My point is this: COVID-19 is real disease and early diagnosis and treatment is key. If you choose not to vaccinate, then please get tested early and protect your family, friends and neighbors by quarantining yourself. Also seek the advice of a medical professional about getting the monoclonal antibodies or the use of ivermectin. If you are 65 years old or older with or without medical issues, consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine. First and foremost, pray, asking God to lead you in the way that is best for you. We, believers in Christ, should be lead by the Spirit not by fear. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. Let’s seek the Wisdom from above and not partner with a spirit of fear.