In another sign of changing attitudes to pandemic policy, infectious disease specialists writing in the Annals of Internal Medicine this month argued against the continuation of universal masking policies for doctors, nurses, and other health care workers.
In the article, the eight authors, who are infectious disease specialists associated with Harvard and Washington University medical schools among others, offer a timeline of the evolving responses to the pandemic. The timeline leaves out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) initially confusing advice on masking but acknowledges that factors like the development of immunity, the evolution of the virus, and development of pharmaceutical “countermeasures” have fundamentally reshaped the landscape of the pandemic.
“The burden of SARS-CoV-2 has been mitigated over time,” the authors state, “through access to testing, substantial population-level immunity providing durable protection against severe disease, a series of less virulent variants, and widespread availability of medical countermeasures, which in combination have resulted in decreasing infection mortality rates.”
They conclude that “SARS-CoV-2 has transitioned to a more stable phase, during which the choice and intensity of mitigation efforts must be commensurate with the risk and align with management strategies” for other endemic, transmissible diseases.
“Recognizing these changes,” the authors state, “many pandemic interventions have been deimplemented,” but, “Masking requirements and other restrictions remain notable exceptions.”
You guys are still bitching about masks three years later? No one’s even expecting you to wear them anymore. Grow up.
You’re likely not aware that Coastal Hospice recently fired several employees for not being COVID-19 vaccinated. Coastal Hospice refused to allow ANY of their 200+ employees to submit medical OR religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination. Federal mandates are being lifted. There is no reason to fire employees in this economy.
I would say those firings were appropriate. Hospice patients are particularly vulnerable. And while I can understand a lot of regular people without healthcare degrees or certifications may still be confused about the vaccines, healthcare professionals absolutely should be held to a higher standard and of course be vaccinated.
Payroll employees and remote personnel were also fired – individuals with absolutely no patient contact. Workers with 15-30 years with the organization. How is this then justified other than to comply with a woke agenda.
“…Hospice patients are particularly vulnerable…”
Duh. No kidding. Hospice only allows patients who are terminal, usually with less than six months left.
The covid vaccines were and still are useless for saving lives 8:00. Do you know anyone, just one who was saved by the vaccine? But it has been proven they contribute to blood clots and strokes that have killed or disabled thousands.
Coastal Hospice has made big changes, for the worst, from what they used to be. Years ago they had good volunteers that really cared about terminally ill patients and their families as well. I have personal knowledge and seen then evolve by having a father and brother both pass from cancer while being in the care of Coastal Hospice. It is now run like a “for profit” business with employees caring more for pay day instead of the welfare of their patients.
The covid vaccines were and still are useless for saving lives 8:00. Do you know anyone, just one who was saved by the vaccine? But it has been proven they contribute to blood clots and strokes that have killed or disabled thousands.
Hope MASS law suites come out and sue these companies for forcing people with jab…