Navigating the pandemic has been a lot like building a plane while you fly it. Leaders and officials had to make decisions and put together plans as the world was learning about how this new virus even works. We had to learn from our mistakes quickly and move on to the next challenge. We’ve come a long way since the beginning, however, there is still new information every day that changes the way we understand and respond to the pandemic.
Ok, Spokane, we have some fun events coming up. Yes, we missed out on a lot of them last year, so let’s do all we can to make sure they continue. We also want to make sure that anybody who wants to get out and enjoy the fun can. It’s not a community event without the community.
Most people would agree that throughout the pandemic they missed out on an event they typically enjoy. Whether the loss was celebrating a major life event, attending an annual festival, or just part of a routine, it was one more thing that added stress to people in our community. That’s why in February of this year, SRHD began a group that would shift the focus from what we can’t do to what we can do in a safe way.
So many words have been added to our everyday language this year and it can get confusing. Contact tracing is a new set of words that many people are just beginning to understand. However, it is not a new concept in public health. It has been utilized in epidemiology for decades and is something SRHD has always done with STDs, TB, and other infectious diseases. Contract tracing is an important part of investigating how a disease spreads.
There is no doubt that this is the time of year we love to gather with friends and family. However, with indoor activity increasing and flu season upon us, we cannot drop our guard on COVID-19. As you look at your fall and winter celebrations, consider these four things.
