By this time, we should all know how to keep ourselves safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We better know about the importance of mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing for ourselves.
But what about the others in our households? They may be able to throw off a COVID-19 infection or even be asymptomatic, but they could be vectors that might transmit the virus to us. What do we do about our partners or children if they could be exposed by going to school or because of the work they do? What is the risk they bring home to us?
My physician, Dr. John Byrd out of The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH gives us his guidance on these difficult issues. I asked about a family member who is an ER doctor or a schoolteacher or a first grader.
We did this interview before the recent December 2020 surge in COVID cases, but there are still two positives these days.
- The vaccine is here and by all measures, at least for the general population and as of today, it’s a home run. Things can change fast.
- The mortality rate for COVID-19 has fallen significantly. Maybe that is because we have better therapies, maybe we have more experience handling it and are doing a better job, or maybe the virus itself has become less virulent. Whatever the cause, we will take this piece of good news.
Please listen to the sage advice Dr. Byrd is giving to his patients whose partner or kids might put them at risk of being exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
Stay strong.
We are all in this together.
Brian
Brian Koffman MDCM (retired) MS Ed
Co-Founder, Executive VP and Chief Medical Officer
CLL Society, Inc
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