Final Covid-19 Weekend Update: 3/12-/3/14

By Sandra Folarin and Jeffrey Softcheck, MBA

This past week marked one year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A year in, and all of the important numbers continue to trend down in the right direction: case positivity is in the 2% range, bed utilization is down, and deaths are down. Vaccinations are nearing 100,00 per day and continue to steadily increase.

Beyond the numbers, many of us now feel grateful, hopeful, and focused despite the exhaustion and isolation we have endured over the last year.  

As we continue to get vaccinated and begin to slowly engage with each other in small numbers safely, hope remains that these interactions will have a positive impact on our individual and collective mental health. This pandemic brought a lot of stress, anxiety, grief, and loss, so it is imperative that we reconnect and help each other through this next chapter. If you need help as restrictions begin to ease, please don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a counselor for support.

Despite the challenges, perhaps this past year has taught many of us to move with purpose and lead with empathy toward each other and our communities. You can do your part in keeping others safe and ending the pandemic by considering getting the vaccine when offered to you.

While we celebrate low case numbers and increased vaccinations, continue to stay masked and stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend.