Be hopeful, but don’t get lulled into a false sense of security. One thing you can be sure about is that Providence is here to care for you during this crisis. If you need care, don’t hesitate to visit the hospital or your local clinic.
It’s important to acknowledge the good work you’re doing. Yes, you. Every 20 seconds you spend washing your hands with soap helps reduce your chance of getting sick. For every unnecessary trip to the grocery store you don’t take, you’re saving lives. That homemade mask or bandana you’re donning when you leave the house? It helps flatten the curve.
Indeed, our efforts to keep ourselves and others safe by following rules for good hygiene and social distancing are starting to pay off. We’re seeing it in places that were especially hard-hit by coronavirus (COVID-19), such as Seattle and New York City. And in states and cities that issued stay-at-home orders in mid-March, it’s made a huge difference. Not only have these areas avoided a surge of COVID-19 illnesses and deaths, but they’re starting to see the leveling off of cases.
Some states on the West and East Coasts are responding by ramping up plans for restarting public life and businesses once the rate of spread is on the decline. In fact, this week, the governors of California, Oregon and Washington announced they’d work together on a plan, emphasizing that the health and safety of the public remain their priority.
Temper the good news
This is a bit of heartening news, especially for those of us who live in the states entering the leveling-off phase of the pandemic. It’s easy to get swept up in the idea that our days of isolation might be in the rearview mirror by early summer.
But not so fast. Some states waited until early April to issue stay-at-home orders, and their communities are predicted to have higher infection rates for longer periods of time. And since COVID-19 doesn’t recognize state lines, it’s important that we remain diligent as long as coronavirus is spreading through communities in the United States, and around the globe.
In a JAMA interview on April 8, Anthony Fauci, M.D., the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, told editor-in-chief Howard Bauchner, M.D., he thinks the U.S. is on track to see a decline of COVID-19, but “life will not go back to the way it was before.”
Fauci said, “the real challenge will be for the public and locales to not become overly confident and allow rampant community transmission to take hold again, especially in metropolitan areas.”
Fauci said, “the real challenge will be for the public and locales to not become overly confident and allow rampant community transmission to take hold again, especially in metropolitan areas.”
Dr. Rod Hochman, president and CEO of Providence, offered some insights on the matter: “We’ve been under-diagnosing, and a lot of cases were already out there. As testing becomes readily available, the public shouldn’t panic when the number of cases they see rises. The key for Providence and every health system is testing enough patients to know what we’re really up against.”
Keeping our collective feet on the pedal
If there was ever a time to be optimistic and diligent at the same time, this is it. COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon, but there is a massive global effort to find a vaccine and testing is increasing and improving on a daily basis. Eventually, we will get to the other side of this and when we do, you’ll feel good that you participated in the effort to stop the spread of this horrific virus. That will be something to celebrate.
In the meantime, continue to do the things you’ve been doing to help flatten the curve:
- Stay home.
- If you do need to go out, maintain a six-foot distance between you and others.
- Wear a cloth mask or bandana in public areas.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place. Use a hand sanitizer if soap and water isn’t available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently used or touched surfaces.
- Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue.
We’re [LITERALLY] in this together. The more we compromise our desire to go outside and interact with the friends and family we adore, the more we flatten the curve, the better off we all will be in the near future.
Stay strong. Stay home. Stay informed.
Get relevant, up-to-date information on the coronavirus (COVID-19) from Providence
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Find a doctor
If you feel unwell and would like to consult your doctor, consider using telemedicine options. Providence Express Care Virtual connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow-up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory or search for one in your area.
You can also learn how your state’s department of public health is responding to the situation:
Related resources
Advice on how to talk to kids about coronavirus
Quarantined at home: How to cope with mental health challenges
Easy and creative workouts you can do at home
Embrace working from home as an opportunity
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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