MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Epidemic fatigue is stabilizing, and the numbers show it.
The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Minnesota continues to rise.
“It’s clearly bad,” said Frank Remy, an infectious disease specialist for Elena Health and Abbott Northwestern.
Ram says it’s not just because of the increased testing. Minnesota’s positivity rate is still on the rise despite testing – running at or above the 5% threshold indicating community spread.
“That’s where discipline comes in,” Remy said.
For months, many people have worked hard to limit themselves, but the virus has been working hard.
So what can we do?
“People don’t have to make themselves mad at this,” Remy said. “All you can develop is your own bubbles.”
It says that if you go on an adventure with a small and coherent group.
“So you can find another family that cares a lot, their kids like your kids too and then you get absorbed in those bubbles,” Remy said.
And as you think about indoor activities this season, remember, “its crisis depends on crowded ventilation and the size of the space,” Ram said.
Dr. Michael of the University of Minnesota. Michael Osterholm says now is not the time to give up.
“We’re still mostly in third place with this virus could be the peak of the fourth inning,” Osterholm said.
He says the recent outbursts at workplace and teen sporting events suggest a return to life that we know, but has consequences.
And there are plenty of temptations to come this year – including the holidays.
“The tradition is to come together if you really love your family this year what you don’t do is going to happen,” Osterholm said. “This is our coveted year and we can get that understanding.”
It is also helpful in differentiating COVID-19 symptoms during the cold and flu seasons.
If you have the flu, it comes quickly, you often feel like you’ve been hit by a truck.
Covid-19 can be easily or with no symptoms at first. There are significant differences in taste and smell and shortness of breath.
And a common cold usually has a fever no higher than 100.5 degrees. If you can’t tell the difference, call a triage nurse. They can help.
“Even if you have Covid-19, if you’re doing really well, we don’t want you in our clinics.” Ram said.
So expert advice? Get your flu shot and stay in your bubble.
“Everyone helps a little bit and most importantly that little life you can save,” Osterhole said.
Ter Sterholm says they think we’ll see the worst in the next six to twelve weeks since the onset of the epidemic. The numbers will also surpass the peaks we saw in mid-summer
.
