The Race for 2021: COVID-19 vs the Vaccines

I think we are all incredibly happy to get 2020 behind us, and I hope that 2021 is a much better year. As far as COVID goes, we finally have vaccines and doctors are better at keeping COVID patients out of the ICU. But still, COVID will give 2021 a challenging start for a few reasons:

Challenges:

1. COVID-19 ER visits and hospitalizations in Tallahassee have surpassed the previous July peak, forcing our hospitals to open new COVID-19 wards.
2. A 50% more contagious COVID-19 strain is now circulating in the United States.
3. Vaccine distribution is progressing more slowly than expected.
4. About 25% of adults infected by COVID-19 still have symptoms 6 to 8 weeks later, many for months.

Positives:

1. Two COVID-19 vaccines have been licensed and distributed and many more are on the way.
2. Death and the need for ICU beds from COVID-19 is still an issue, but it is decreased from early 2020.

The End is Near, but We Need to Buckle Down

Then end is near, but I believe things will get worse before getting better. People are getting tired of social distancing, and we are now seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases from families getting together over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. And there is a new, more contagious viral strain circulating. We are also continuing to learn more about COVID-19 “long-haulers” who experience symptoms of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome for weeks (sometimes even months) after their initial infection.

If we can continue to be diligent with social distancing and limit unnecessary exposure to other people and families, many less people will contract COVID-19. As a society, we will be much better off once more of us are vaccinated.

Many of Us Must Continue Living with a Significant Amount of COVID Exposure

Still, most of us must continue living with a significant amount of COVID-19 exposure. I must continue to treat patients. Many people must work in-person. Some kids cannot succeed with distance learning and need to be in school. Some parents must send their kids to school or daycare so that they can work to put food on the table. But, we can all continue to be disciplined, and limit unnecessary exposures.

If vaccines are released to the public by this summer (as expected), we could have a very normal fall! Hang in there another 6 months! This definitely encourages me to be extra careful for the coming months.

Some Practical Social Distancing Reminders:

1. Eating with people: I see this all the time. If you sit down to eat with people, especially inside, then you have just exposed yourself and your family to everyone these people have exposed themselves to. If you really need to eat with someone, try to find a table outside, which is much safer (but not perfectly safe).
2. Exposure time: The amount of time you spend exposed to COVID-19 really matters. Quickly checking-out at a cash register or passing people in an isle is much different than working next to someone for an hour or two.
3. Masks are not perfect: Masks are helpful as they block COVID-19 droplets from directly reaching people, but COVID-19 virus particles also sneak around the sides of the mask (or through the mask material), float in the air, and then get breathed in by nearby people.

And remember, it just takes one exposure! I have heard many stories about families that had been very careful, but then let down their guard just once and got COVID. They may have gone to a wedding (where people were not masked), ate with a friend (who was not as careful as them), or spent extended face-to-face time with someone.