Our current approach to COVID is clearly not working.  We continue to sidestep what we know has worked in the past.  Evidently, the CDC, FDA, and NIAID cannot wrap their heads around the fact that this virus is here to stay.  The public needs to be aware of that and how vaccinating the entire population doesn’t make this virus disappear.  So, where do we go from here?

The biggest thing is to stay home when you are sick. This has always been the gold standard. Right now, the only people that need to seek testing are the individuals that need treatment. Unfortunately, I realize that a certain group of people will take advantage of the situation and call into work claiming they have COVID. Well, let’s go back to our old ways and let them use their built-up sick leave and not at the ongoing companies’ expense. When it personally affects them, they will eventually stop. Personal consequences will always change one’s behavior.

Everyone going to get tested bogs down resources and eventually hurts those who need help. Remember, those that have underlying conditions will be the ones that need to seek medical attention. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine which patients need attention. It is called triage. If you question whether you need to seek care, we should have hotlines that someone can call and be told how to seek care. For example, an 85-year-old with an underlying history of COPD, previous smoker, hypertension, and complaining of a fever and weakness needs immediate treatment. Another example, a mother of a 16-year-old boy who is very active in sports, who test positive with a home COVID test and is complaining of a stuffy nose and sore throat does not. In this case, you don’t need a PCR test to confirm; drink plenty of fluids and get rest and return to usual activities when symptoms resolve.

So, who needs the vaccine? Again, it’s your vulnerable population, particularly those with a history of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and over the age of 65. I would suggest you speak to your health care professional to see if you need to start the vaccination process. It is best to be proactive than reactive for those who are classified as vulnerable.  This is the same approach we take with the flu vaccine.  Hopefully, we can get this virus into a seasonal pattern like the rest of endemic respiratory viruses, and it will be a yearly shot just like the flu.

Lastly, we all need to continue a healthy lifestyle no matter who we are. I hate to see the healthcare system continue to push its limits. If we don’t fix our approach, you will continue to see deaths at the expense of a lack of understanding and proper planning/approach.