PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — We are finally making our way out of the coronavirus pandemic. After 15 long months of masks and sickness, of staying away from loved ones, the country is getting vaccinated, cases counts are falling. So what is keeping us from breaking free for good?
To find out, listen above to KYW Newsradio's In Depth special: "KYW Newsradio In Depth: The Road Past the Pandemic."
Dr. Paul Offit from the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia explains why the virus still has doctors concerned.
KYW Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough talks about patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and who are now dealing with long-term effects.
Dr. Perry Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, says there is much to learn from our experience as a nation in fighting COVID-19, what we did right, and where we went wrong.
Dr. Jaime Zuckerman has been trying to prepare for the mental health fallout from the pandemic and what everyone can do to make the year ahead a little easier.
KEY TAKEAWAYS from Dr. Paul Offit:
Three factors working against the virus: Transmission levels are low in summer; more people are getting vaccinated; millions of people who were infected have some immunity.
Three factors working against us: Millions more people still must be vaccinated; the delta variant is more contagious than other mutations; the anti-vax movement threatens public health.
The need to vaccinate people increases as more contagious variants continue to emerge.
"I would think we would need a booster every few years. I wouldn’t think we’d need it yearly."
"We’re gonna know how well we’re doing when winter hits." Look for for another surge in cases in October or November, and more deaths, numbering as high as 1,000 to 2,000 people a day.
"This virus is not what it was claimed to be." In severe cases, "this virus has the capacity to make you react against the lining of your own blood vessels. ... Every organ is at risk."
KEY TAKEAWAYS from KYW Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough:
"Why did I make it and others I love didn't?" People know they have had personal loss and they don't want that to be forgotten.
"Is this some sort of conspiracy?" Many are in denial who question if it really happened, despite overwhelming facts.
More medical journals are describing patients' pathways, and coursework is being offered to doctors to explain how to treat long-term COVID-19 impact.
Severe symptoms are easy to recognize but tough to deal with, especially neurological issues. Patients complain of headaches, fatigue, cloudy memory, anxiety and depression, and doctors don't understand much about why.
KEY TAKEAWAYS from Dr. Perry Halkitis:
The U.S. response fell short in several ways. The impetus was on states and localities to address the pandemic without enough federal help. And there was a lack of urgency when the nation needed to make changes quickly and effectively.
As much as 20% of the population will never get vaccinated, so it's essential to appeal to the 30% of the population who could be persuaded.
There was not enough money in public health, and then a pandemic came. The U.S. must rebuild the public health infrastructure and workforce, with a viable playbook in hand and the ability to convey truly scientific information.
The United States tried to open the economy too soon. Economic, emotional and psychological suffering has been very real, but states that "ripped the Band-Aid off" had rising case counts and rising death rates, which has perpetuated the pandemic.
KEY TAKEAWAYS from Dr. Jaime Zuckerman:
The definition of "normal" is being revisited. Even people who are ready to get out after quarantine may have some anxiety -- which is healthy -- and it will take time for people to settle back in.
To lower anxiety, do the thing you are fearful of -- one small step at a time. "When you go back out, if you used to go to the gym five days a week, go one day a week," she said.
Do you need professional therapy? It will depend on how much that awkwardness affects a person's day-to-day functioning.
All the emotions you're feeling are completely normal: sadness, guilt, anxiety, grieving. Be willing to feel them. The more you allow yourself to feel them, the sooner you'll be comfortable being uncomfortable.
The mental health effects of the pandemic will linger because there is still so much uncertainty, and so many different opinions.