by Nancy Hopkins | May 26, 2021 | Employee Information
This excerpt is from a news story in the New York Times. Over two dozen Dudek & Bock employees were infected with COVID-19. An infection PLUS vaccination might offer life-long immunity, according to this report:
Scientists have feared that immunity to the coronavirus, whether through infection or vaccination, may be short-lived. But a pair of novel studies suggest that immunity lasts for at least a year — and maybe even decades for some people.
“For people who have had Covid and have been vaccinated, this is excellent news because it means that they will probably never need a booster again — it seems like they’re pretty much set for life,” said my colleague Apoorva Mandavilli, who covers science for The Times. “For people who haven’t had Covid but are vaccinated, those people will probably need boosters, and within a year or so.”
Both of the studies looked at a type of immune cell that can remember the virus and lives in the bone marrow until it is needed to produce antibodies.
“Getting bone marrow is an involved procedure, it’s not just like drawing blood,” Apoorva said. “So the fact that they were able to get bone marrow from people, and not just once but multiple times, is a big deal.”
The scientists discovered that as these immune cells continued to evolve, the antibodies they produced became better at fighting infection.
“Even after the active infection was over, these cells kept learning because the immune system retained a piece of the virus,” Apoorva said. “Over time, the immune cells continued to improve how well they could target the virus. They became broader in their repertoire, so they could work against a much broader range of variants.”
Vaccines may not offer the same results, because immune memory is likely organized differently after immunization, than with an infection. And even those who have recovered from an infection still need doses.
“Some subset of people don’t necessarily produce a very strong immune response when they’ve been exposed to the virus,” Apoorva said. “So, really, everybody should get vaccinated, whether they’ve been infected or not.”
by Nancy Hopkins | May 17, 2021 | Employee Information
Mary Ann Snee, a Dudek & Bock employee since 1986, passed away on Sunday, May 16. Mary held several positions within the company, most recently as our Purchasing Agent. Mary is survived by her daughter, Erica, and grandson, Shaun, as well as one brother and two aunts.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 19, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home, 7861 S. 88th Avenue in Justice.
by Nancy Hopkins | May 13, 2021 | Employee Information
On Thursday, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people can resume normal activities without wearing masks indoors, with a few exceptions (mass transit, flights, other circumstances specified by state or local governments).
Fully vaccinated means having the final dose of the vaccine, plus two weeks for it to take full effect. 93 Dudek & Bock employees fall into this category. Those employees can stop wearing masks.
For those who are waiting for a second dose, or for the two weeks following the last dose, hang in there a bit longer!
Employees who have not been vaccinated must continue to wear masks at all times. This policy will be enforced.
To find a vaccine go to www.ilvaccine.org.
by Nancy Hopkins | May 13, 2021 | Employee Information
71% (112) of Dudek & Bock employees have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 93 of those are “fully vaccinated,” or 2 weeks past the last dose.
Vaccines are easy to get now, with many Walgreen & CVS locations offering same day or next day appointments. Go to www.walgreens.com or www.cvs.com to search for a location near your zip code. Another great resource to find a convenient location is www.ilvaccine.org.
Other vaccine news –
Want to travel to Europe this summer? Fully vaccinated U.S. travelers should soon be able to bypass the more than year-long ban on travel to Europe, said the head of the European Commission on April 25. The European Union “will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by EMA [the European Medicines Agency],” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. The three vaccines that have been approved for use in the United States—Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson—have all been approved for use in Europe.
Vaccines are now available for 12-15 year-olds: Appointments at City of Chicago sites can be booked now by calling 312-746-4835 or using the website www.zocdoc.com/vaccine. All of the vaccine sites will accept walk-ins for 12- to 15-year-olds effective May 13. A parent or guardian must accompany any minor under age 18, and unvaccinated parents and guardians will be encouraged to receive a vaccine as well. No appointment will be necessary, although pre-registration is encouraged.
The following city-operated vaccination sites with Pfizer will be open to youth ages 12 and older:
—Gallagher Way (Wrigley Field), 1119 W. Waveland Ave.
—Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 S. Indiana Ave.
—Chicago State University, 9501 S. King Drive
—United Center, 1724 W. Madison St.
—Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Road
—Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.
—Loretto Hospital, 645 S. Central Ave.
Vaccinations for college students: A growing number of colleges will require students to be vaccinated before returning to campus in the fall. For a list as of May 11, see https://universitybusiness.com/state-by-state-look-at-colleges-requiring-vaccines/
Vaccinations for pregnant women: A new Northwestern Medicine study of placentas from patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy found no evidence of injury, adding to the growing literature that COVID-19 vaccines are safe in pregnancy. In April, scientists from Northwestern published a study showing pregnant women make COVID antibodies after vaccination and successfully transfer them to their babies. Dr. Emily Miller, Northwestern Medicine maternal fetal medicine physician and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Feinberg said “Our team hopes these data, albeit preliminary, can reduce concerns about the risk of the vaccine to the pregnancy.”
by Nancy Hopkins | Apr 20, 2021 | Employee Information
Vaccine appointments are available on Friday, April 23, at Mt. Sinai hospital. It’s only 10-15 minutes from Dudek & Bock, and you will be paid for 2 hours for getting the first dose! Free us from wearing masks, and get the vaccine, please. Click below to schedule.
by Nancy Hopkins | Apr 14, 2021 | Employee Information
John Dudek’s last day at work will be Friday, April 16. In honor of his retirement, the company is providing box lunches from Jimmy Johns and everyone is welcome to take a 1-hour lunch. From 1:30 to 2:00, first shift employees who would like to bid John farewell are invited to the Break Room. 2nd shift employees are invited to visit with John at 2:30, and sandwich boxes will be available then for 2nd shift.
Although over half of Dudek & Bock employees have received the vaccine, we are still being careful about mask use and social distancing. With that in mind, we hope to give John a memorable day.
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