While many people would love to put the year 2020 behind them, there are some valuable takeaways from the pandemic.
Triage Centers
In order to avoid over-stressing hospitals, triage centers were created in many of the larger cities across the states. Purchasing custom canopies online, the government was able to create actual offsite medical centers in parks and other open areas that ultimately reduced the influx of COVID-19 infected patients sent into hospitals. Having the ability to separate infected patients helped to save lives.
Mental Illness: Reducing Isolation
A pandemic occurring just 20 years earlier would have enhanced feelings of loneliness and isolation from loved ones. A good percentage of the population needs human contact. It stimulates them and makes them feel good inside. Thankfully, while you were not able to physically touch and hug loved ones, you are able to see them. Smartphones and online platforms like Zoom and Skype enable a visual connection with loved ones. This kind of stimulation is necessary, especially for those prone to bouts of depression and anxiety.
Preparedness
Most families will agree that they went into the pandemic unprepared. The average home has a few days’ supply of food and water. The lesson learned going forward is that the basics will need to be kept in reserves. Anyone who went to the supermarket shortly after hearing of the pending lockdown knows all too well how hard it was to find items such as toilet paper, bottled water, and sanitizing cleaning products. Create a dry space and have your own personal stockpile tucked away, just in case.
The Importance of Removing Germs
Germs are something invisible to the naked eye. This makes them more difficult to detect. To prevent the spread of germs and cross-contamination, hand sanitizer became a household staple. Families have it in their home, their cars, and at their desks at the office. A little squirt provides protection against the unknown. In rest areas and other public restrooms, businesses now provide cleaner environments, as per mandates from the CDC. The toilets, sinks, and floors are maintained throughout the day, hand sanitizer is available and air dryers for hands are more common.
Stay Home If You Are Sick
Putting it simply, you should always stay home if you are sick. Now more than ever this takes on a new meaning. In the past, many people went to work feeling a bit under the weather for several reasons. They may love their job, be a sole proprietor, or have an underlying fear of losing their job. Today, bosses have a new view of sickness. If you don’t feel well, stay home. In essence, by staying home you will reduce the exposure of others to germs, helping to prevent a widespread outbreak. Going forward, this will reduce missed days at the office and on the job site for seasonal viruses such as the flu.
Protect the Frail
Shortly after the virus spread throughout the United States, it became obvious that the elderly and those with a compromised system were at the greatest risk for death. While it makes sense now in hindsight, this is a lesson for the younger generation to utilize going forward. While you will recover better from almost any illness, your elderly grandparent may not. Keep this information and use the new awareness to practice safe measures around the elderly.
Stronger and Resilient
You may not think you are strong; however, surviving a pandemic with a five or six-month lockdown proves otherwise. As an American, you mustered your inner strength and did what you needed to do to keep you and your children safe.
COVID-19 is not over yet. However, the lessons learned will make it much easier to deal with now and in the future.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
