The virus is still with us
With hospitals crowded from Covid-19, 1 in 5 families in the United States have delayed health care. Putting off treatments or surgeries for serious illnesses has become common during the pandemic. This is from a new NPR/ Harvard School of Public Health poll.
Other patients have avoided critically important medical care because of fears they would catch the coronavirus while in a hospital or medical office. But even though it’s understandable to feel wary about going to a doctor’s office during a pandemic, the risk of coronavirus transmission is relatively low given the effective safety measures that have been widely adopted in medical settings, including mandatory mask wearing and the use of other personal protective equipment, symptom and exposure screenings, and sanitation practices.
Cases are down in all counties in the area, except in Clay County, but still in the critical category there. Yet, all counties are still below 50 percent fully vaccinated (36 percent Clay County, covidactnow.org), which is below the national average and well below many other states.
Cases are generally down nationwide, but many will still get Covid and face health problems, long-term Covid problems and even death unnecessarily.
In terms of safety, in any environment getting vaccinated is the single most important thing you can do to keep yourself and your family members safe. The vaccine is safe.
Get vaccinated for your health, my health and others in our community. Wear a mask when indoors in public places.
The virus is still with us.
Jim Grazis, Young Harris, Ga.
Poetic image of Halloween
I’m tired of bein’ a beastie rousin’ fear!
I’m goin’ to be much nicer this year.
Now ain’t I somethin’?
This year I’m goin’
to be a pumpkin!
Jura McCarthy Ashley, Murphy