Dr. Elfatih Abter
There will come a day when the practices of social distancing and wearing a mask will no longer be required.
But until that day arrives, public health experts and infectious disease specialists alike urge everyone to continue those proven mitigation strategies in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
"COVID-19 changed everything, and it has forced us all to sacrifice for the health of ourselves and those around us," said Dr. Elfatih Abter, an infectious disease director at McLaren Lapeer. "It's vitally important for all of us to continue these practices until the time comes when we have a viable and readily available therapy and a vaccine. It's best to remain vigilant."
Those best practices outlined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include social distancing and wearing a mask whenever in public, but also being watchful of COVID-19 symptoms in yourself and those around you.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
- Loss of taste/smell
- Gastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
"The mitigation strategies are working," Dr. Abter said. "The practice of social distancing and wearing masks helped flatten the curve after its initial spike. It's been successful, but not a practice that should be abandoned."
Overseeing the treatment of patients on a COVID-19 dedicated unit, Dr. Abter has firsthand experience with the virus and its potentially devastating effects.
"Every day we're learning more about this virus and getting closer to viable therapies and a vaccine," Dr. Abter said. "But until the day comes when the prevalence of the disease allows for the restrictions to be eased, it's vital that we all remain conscious of the virus and continue to take precaution."