Hanley discusses living with the pandemic
In light of the COVID-19 Delta variant, Dr. Daniel Hanley wants to share his thoughts with islanders, on both living in a pandemic and the COVID virus, which, he said, is not going anywhere anytime soon.
“Here’s what I see happening over the next few years,” Hanley said. “Mine is just one opinion, but the more opinions people have, the better decisions they can make regarding their own health. COVID won’t truly go away for the next few years, if ever — this is likely endemic already.
“Yes, on the whole, life is better for the vaccinated, because it works to help prevent complications, such as hospitalizations and deaths, but either way, the different Greek letter variants will persist,” he continued. “People might say, ‘Hey, did you hear about the Phi Omega Alpha variant? No, but I just got the Kappa Delta variant, and let me tell you, that’s a rough one!'”
According to Hanley, testing will become more routine, such as testing for respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A/B and/or strep throat, during visits to the clinic. This, he said, will be similar to taking vital signs, with more widely available results.
“I wouldn’t focus on specific contact tracing, but locally relevant threat levels that are consistently reported, comparable to the weather, will help us to make well-informed decisions about how we go about our days,” Hanley said. “Think of it this way — umbrellas for rain, masks for higher testing positivity rates.”
Hanley said this is not necessarily a virus that should stop our economy or deviate our plans, but certainly, public health measures benefit all of us, he said, adding that cholera used to be a big problem until we cleaned up our water.
“Masks work extraordinarily well and are in abundant supply,” Hanley said. “The initial recommendation from Dr. Fauci was given because supplies were a problem at that time. We use masks in surgical and certain medical settings specifically to avoid transmission of multiple infections. True, they’re not the be-all end-all, but if you consider them a layer of personal protection, then they are a hell of a layer.
“Does this mean we should mask up while walking alone, outside, on a sidewalk, or while we’re riding our motorcycle? No, because the risks are so minimal that it doesn’t justify the discomfort of wearing a mask,” he continued. “However, if the local area’s test positivity rate is over 10%, and you’re out to dinner, trying to get from one side of a busy, crowded restaurant to the other in order to go to the bathroom, and everyone is laughing and yelling, then yes, this is a good idea.”
He said handwashing is also a great idea in general, emphasizing the basic practice having saved millions of lives since Dr. Semmelweis first recommended that doctors wash their hands.
“Beforehand, doctors would just go from woman to woman, delivering baby after baby, like a factory,” said Hanley. “Semmelweis was ridiculed and ostracized at the time for this belief, but he was right. Think about what you touch in general, with your feet and your hands. Most people would like to have some boundaries in between. Just as you may take off your shoes after you go inside your house, you may want to consider washing your hands after handling the lunch menu, before eating your sandwich.
“I also enjoy my personal space. Who wants to be jammed in like sardines in any setting, let alone a public setting, not me.”
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