Who’s Right on COVID?

Good question. With the political campaigns behind us, all that’s left is counting odd ball ballots in odd ball circumstances. Not enough of those will make a difference in the outcome of the election. Everybody that truly matters in election systems and management agree – there was no wide-spread fraud in the recent election. Mistakes? Sure. Always a few are present, just like typos on your essays and final exam papers.

So, with that behind us, what’s new with COVID? Well, for certain the exposure and infection rates are up dramatically. All medical researchers and care teams agree that social interaction and not wearing masks, particularly in bars and restaurants, is the primary mode of viral spread. Does this argument and fact checking seem familiar? It is!

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic the public has been asked to wear masks, socially distance, and wash hands frequently and thoroughly. These three steps appear to be the magic answer to controlling the spread of the virus. We have known this since February.

So, why is this so difficult to do? Ask those who refuse to cooperate or frequently forget to comply. Both are large populations among us. I guess they simply do not want someone telling them what to do?

Treatment of COVID has progressed. Doctors and hospital staff know what and when to do the right thing, even in highly variable cases. Still many patients die. Research has proceeded on several fronts throughout the globe and several vaccines hold promise. Most recently Pfizer has a vaccine that is promising 90% effectiveness and may be available by the end of December. Production of the vaccine, if approved, will be distributed first to healthcare workers and first responders. As production ramps up, distribution channels will be created. Remember this vaccine requires storage at minus 70-degrees centigrade, a very difficult temperature to obtain and then hold.

Estimates suggest that this vaccine – one among many possible – will be available to the public by April. Other vaccines may come online by then, but their capabilities will need to be paired with patients in need of specific capabilities.

Until then, what do we do? Experts agree: wear a mask, keep your distance, wash hands frequently. Stay home as much as possible and maintain a small ‘social bubble.’ This is my responsibility to do. It is also yours. Ours.

Getting angry at people looking out for others’ well-being and following advice from scientists and healthcare experts is not logical. Get angry if you must at the disease. It is in charge, not people. We do what we must to survive and help others do the same.

Smile. Wear your mask. Keep your distance. Wash hands. Repeat.

November 13, 2020