A message to WPSR supporters about COVID-19
Dear WPSR members and supporters,
We are disappointed to have to cancel our annual dinner in the face of a public health state of emergency in our region but there really is no other responsible choice. COVID-19 transmission rates are 0.5% in the general public and 10% in close contacts. With the infection now endemic in our area a gathering of 300 plus people in an enclosed space presents an unacceptable risk of propagation of the virus. Although 80% of those infected have minimal or mild symptoms 5% will require critical care treatment and 1.6% will die.
In yesterday’s press release Seattle King County Public Health specifically recommended that people over the age of 60 and/or those suffering from chronic heart, and lung disease or who are immunocompromised or pregnant avoid attending large public gatherings. Faced with the serious nature of this epidemic we all need to do our part to contain it. Up until now, we have held off making any official statements from WPSR regarding this crisis preferring to leave space for our public health professionals to lead and advise us. I encourage you to keep posted on information from the Centers for Disease Control, Washington Department of Health, and Seattle/King County Public Health Department.
Other general advice from King County Public Health includes the following:
Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
Stay home when sick
Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
Stay away from people who are ill and avoid large public gatherings, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.
Many of you know that I practice at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. The outbreak in one of our local skilled nursing facilities has put me, and my colleagues, at the center of this outbreak. I am extremely proud of the work being done by the hospitalists, and pulmonary and critical care specialists at Evergreen. I am also deeply grateful for the work being done by our friends at the county and state health departments. They are going above and beyond with the limited resources they have at their disposal.
This current epidemic has implications for our work advocating for a reduction in inequity and adaptations to the climate crisis and refocusing our resources on improving health and well being and away from building and maintaining nuclear weapons. We are in deep learning mode during this time of trouble. Expect to hear more on this in the near future.
Mark R. Vossler, MD
President