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Letter to the Editor 4/23/20

Florida started preparing for pandemic viral diseases in 2006


Posted

Editor:

While no one could have predicted the full impact that the COVID 19 virus has created and even one life lost is tragic, Florida has done a good job in preparing for this Pandemic.

In February 2006, as the Chief Medical Officer of the Florida Army National Guard, I participated in Florida’s Viral Pandemic Summit in Tallahassee under then Gov. Jeb Bush as we were deeply concerned about the threat of Avian Flu. I believe that Florida was the first or one the first states to prepare for Pandemic illnesses.

It was the first time that I heard the term “social distancing” being used in modern times. Plans were made for stockpiling anticipated supplies, hospital resources were inventoried, and the National Guard offered their full support. The Florida Guard is now running at least three testing sites including TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.

President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis have responded in an excellent manner to work toward opening areas in a relative safe manner. You cannot legislate a virus and lives will still be threatened until herd immunity (when at least 30% to 40% of the population develops antibodies to this specific coronavirus) is reached. This may take over a year if a vaccine is needed to reach that level. Test results are now returning within 24 hours which will help in diagnosis and managing those needing isolation.

Once antibody testing becomes commercially available in a few months, we may know of the full extent of the current spread. Citizens will still need to use reasonable caution and weigh their risks especially the elderly and those with underlying health problems who are at risk for severe infection. We take risks every day when swimming, driving, flying or even crossing the street. The more we as a population understand communicable diseases, the sooner we can return to our usual lives.

We still should not change our lives to prevent getting the disease, we should assume we are already caring the virus and change our lives to prevent infecting others.