Three simple steps to fix our mistake with COVID-19
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Approximately 419,000 people in the United States have died of COVID-19 — more lives lost than during World War II.
More than 100,000 Americans have died in the pandemic in just the past 5 weeks. Amazingly, someone in the United States dies of the novel coronavirus every 26 seconds.
Nobody was ready for the excess deaths attributable to this pandemic, which is claiming more American lives each week than any other condition, including heart disease or cancer.
It didn’t have to be this way.
There are three simple, inexpensive rules to follow: wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose, wash your hands for 20 seconds, and maintain social distancing (a miserable 6 feet or more).
For some reason, many people felt they didn’t have to follow these rules.
Some probably felt they were immune. Young people celebrated on the beaches in Florida last summer and fall. Unfortunately, several paid the ultimate price. It is a tragedy in the true sense of the word, because much of what happened could have been prevented.
Although COVID-19 cases are not expected to decline until vaccination efforts ramp up, there is another virus that poses a threat: influenza.
Flu season in the U.S. runs from October through May.
As of Dec. 30, flu activity for the 2020-2021 season remained lower than usual, according to the CDC.
This is more than likely due to the three simple steps people took from October until now to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Imagine what the COVID-19 death rate would be if people abided by those steps following the initial outbreak in early 2020.
There is a lesson here. Even if the coronavirus and its mutations disappear, it would seem these three simple steps should be followed during every flu season going forward. Imagine the decrease in ED visits and hospitalizations in the coming years if these steps are taken every year from October through May, together with flu vaccinations. These steps are especially important for individuals who are not advocates for vaccination.
As we entered 2021, many of my colleagues said they would like to forget 2020. I disagree. It’s a year we shouldn’t forget. There is a lesson to be learned.
The good news is that COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed across the country. However, even after people receive the vaccine, it is imperative that they continue to follow the three simple steps and not make the same mistake again.
All surgeons know they will make mistakes during their careers despite the intense training they received. When this happens, a high-quality, safe surgeon will recognize the mistake, learn from it and know how to fix it.
We made a mistake with COVID-19 by not following three simple steps. We understand the consequences — the suffering of countless families who lost loved ones.
Even though we made a mistake, we know how to fix it with three simple steps. Let’s do it for the sake of everyone.
Collapse
Read more about
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts