TUCSON, Ariz. - To tackle the coronavirus pandemic, countries across the world implemented a range of stringent policies, including stay-at-home orders, school and workplace closures, cancellation of events and public gatherings; and restrictions on public transport.
"Each one of them has its own individual purpose so wearing masks staying a certain number of feet away from each other, things like that. Just decrease the chance that the virus was spread in a rapid way between people that are sharing the same breathing space touching the same things, etc," says Tucson Medical Center Chief of Staff, Doctor Clifford Martin.
But just because many of us are being safe, doesn’t mean this virus won’t rear its ugly head again. Especially because we’re living in the 21st century, where so many people are crossing international boundaries. We’re traveling by plane, train or boat. Not mention, we’re doing it quickly.
"There is a new phenomenon in the 21st century that hasn't been there in past centuries, where we can not only have a virus that we've not been exposed to antibodies," says Martin. "It’s very contagious. But we are so much more global than we're used to. So it makes this type of within even more difficult to manage with our current economy."
Health experts say we may see a decrease in COVID-19 numbers now, but come winter, things could get worse again.
"People tend to socialize differently families come together during the holidays public events happen," says Martin. "So all those things give an opportunity for there to be an uptick in the virus."
Even though the two are very different, we wanted to know if getting your flu shot could help in preventing the spread of coronavirus.
"Getting the flu shot will not prevent this coronavirus infection, but it certainly will help decrease the disease burden, either in an individual or in the population," says Martin.
So heed the warnings on all levels. Safety precautions are in place for a reason, and if we all work together, we can potentially slow the spread of this deadly virus, no matter what time of year.