I received thousands of emails, messages, and comments after my last post, all asking, essentially, the same thing: Is there any hope? So, I interrupt my regular broadcast with a big, loud answer: YES. After reading through these messages, I realized that while I and others actively respond to crises, we’ve neglected to communicate how far we’ve come. One of public health’s biggest challenges is that when it works, it’s largely invisible. This isn’t the case in other fields. For example, in medicine you can see the impact of a surgery. In the drug industry you can see the immediate effect of a prescription. In public health, we don’t see what we prevented. For example, how much do you really appreciate seatbelts on a daily basis? Seeing what public health prevents is nearly impossible for the untrained eye. So, this is what we
As my kids are back to distance learning and every other patient I see has COVID-19, I so needed this. Thank you for the reminder of how far we have come and for all that you do to keep us so well-informed. You have been a light in the darkness.
I will literally be printing this out and hanging it up at home and in the office to help manage my severe anxiety. I have an actual, diagnosed anxiety disorder and health-related OCD, so, needless to say, it's been exceptionally difficult for me to logically think through the realistic risk levels and try not to be constantly wracked with panic when I am really taking the highest level of precautions.
I was just thinking today that it would be nice to know how many lives vaccines have saved. Thanks for anticipating that question and for highlighting some good news!
I needed this. Yesterday I was discouraged. So many people I know have Covid. All are vaccinated. I even cried a little. This has helped me shift perspective. Thank you!
Thank you once again Dr. Jetelina, for helping us to focus on the light in what appears to be a sea of darkness. Hopefully enough of us will follow that light out of this mess. Until then, I will continue to incessantly digest every word you write. Your guidance has made the difference for me and my family. I hope your own family is feeling better after the holidays.
I love you for this. Thank you for your timely information and focus on the Hope in the midst of all the scarey too. I’ll sleep better tonight knowing the stats for the kids under 5 are not as bad as I feared w omicron. THANK YOU 💓
Thank you so much for this incredible, poignant reminder- it could not be more timely from my perspective. I’m an ICU nurse in the American Midwest and while we’ve largely enjoyed being spared the chaos of the pandemic seen on our coasts, it’s hit us hard in our own way. I’ve been exhausted & rather depressed; I desperately needed the reminder that public health is largely invisible when successful, and it’s so good to remember there is good reason to hope.
Are we sure omicron is less severe? Are we seeing less severe cases in the compromised or unvaccinated? Or are we just seeing a decrease in hospitalizations because of more immunity (vaccines and/or previous infections)?
The problem is, people do not buy N95s, KN95s, or KF94. Many people aren't getting the message they should be using them. Also many people can't afford them. Imagine blue collar or low wage workers with families. It's between food, a place to live, getting to work, utilities, clothes, etc. and having these more expensive masks. Does one buy enough food to sustain your family (cheaper masks), or buy a gourmet meal (expensive masks)and have nothing left for anything else. So many mixed messages out there. People are confused, or the message is not getting to the average person. I don't know why the Defense Production Act has not been used to make masks for everyone. Maybe Americans can just do a huge Go Fund Me. I appreciate all you do in getting the message out to people who pay attention. But we need one message out to everyone, to keep everyone safe.
As my kids are back to distance learning and every other patient I see has COVID-19, I so needed this. Thank you for the reminder of how far we have come and for all that you do to keep us so well-informed. You have been a light in the darkness.
I will literally be printing this out and hanging it up at home and in the office to help manage my severe anxiety. I have an actual, diagnosed anxiety disorder and health-related OCD, so, needless to say, it's been exceptionally difficult for me to logically think through the realistic risk levels and try not to be constantly wracked with panic when I am really taking the highest level of precautions.
I was just thinking today that it would be nice to know how many lives vaccines have saved. Thanks for anticipating that question and for highlighting some good news!
I needed this. Yesterday I was discouraged. So many people I know have Covid. All are vaccinated. I even cried a little. This has helped me shift perspective. Thank you!
And this is why I continue to subscribe and support you. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you for this post! Are you planning to comment on this throat swabbing phenomenon with the at-home antigen tests?
Thank you once again Dr. Jetelina, for helping us to focus on the light in what appears to be a sea of darkness. Hopefully enough of us will follow that light out of this mess. Until then, I will continue to incessantly digest every word you write. Your guidance has made the difference for me and my family. I hope your own family is feeling better after the holidays.
I love you for this. Thank you for your timely information and focus on the Hope in the midst of all the scarey too. I’ll sleep better tonight knowing the stats for the kids under 5 are not as bad as I feared w omicron. THANK YOU 💓
Sending you a note of appreciation, Katelyn. Thank you! Your skill and caring are helping us stay calm and respond appropriately. Thank you!!
*a dream coronavirus vaccine I think is what you meant. :). Thank you for this encouraging post.
Thank you so much for this incredible, poignant reminder- it could not be more timely from my perspective. I’m an ICU nurse in the American Midwest and while we’ve largely enjoyed being spared the chaos of the pandemic seen on our coasts, it’s hit us hard in our own way. I’ve been exhausted & rather depressed; I desperately needed the reminder that public health is largely invisible when successful, and it’s so good to remember there is good reason to hope.
Thank you for all you do!!
Two questions:
Can you link the mask study?
Are we sure omicron is less severe? Are we seeing less severe cases in the compromised or unvaccinated? Or are we just seeing a decrease in hospitalizations because of more immunity (vaccines and/or previous infections)?
The problem is, people do not buy N95s, KN95s, or KF94. Many people aren't getting the message they should be using them. Also many people can't afford them. Imagine blue collar or low wage workers with families. It's between food, a place to live, getting to work, utilities, clothes, etc. and having these more expensive masks. Does one buy enough food to sustain your family (cheaper masks), or buy a gourmet meal (expensive masks)and have nothing left for anything else. So many mixed messages out there. People are confused, or the message is not getting to the average person. I don't know why the Defense Production Act has not been used to make masks for everyone. Maybe Americans can just do a huge Go Fund Me. I appreciate all you do in getting the message out to people who pay attention. But we need one message out to everyone, to keep everyone safe.
You are an excellent science communicator. Thanks for spending the time to write on these complex topics clearly and effectively.
Thanks for this. Awesome timing. Very much needed. So hard to sort through everything as a lay person.