Powder River Examiner -

By Powder River County Health Nurse Darlynn Williams

We’re not at the end of the pandemic yet, but the situation has changed, and we need to adapt to this new phase.

In year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all tired, frustrated, and upset because this virus has continued to disrupt our daily lives despite all the steps we’ve taken to stop it.

During this time, we have all experienced losses due to COVID-19. Together we have lost parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, friends, and neighbors. Others have lost jobs, access to in-person school, time with loved ones, and other important parts of our way of life.

We have entered a new phase of this pandemic. Vaccines, boosters, and tests are widely available. We have developed effective treatments. And many people have some immunity to the virus because they have been vaccinated or have been previously infected. These tools will prevent or lessen severe illness for many people if they become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Our ability to prevent or reduce severe illness makes it less critical to focus on stopping every case of COVID-19. It is time to turn our efforts to minimizing the impact COVID-19 has on our health, our healthcare systems, and our society, while focusing our efforts on protecting those who are most at risk of severe illness.

We know this pandemic has been particularly challenging for those who are at increased risk of severe illness due to advanced age, immune state, chronic medical conditions, or for other reasons. Many have been taking additional precautions since the beginning, often far more and for far longer than those who aren’t at increased risk. And it’s important that we recognize that this is not a small group among us—many people are at an increased risk of getting severely ill if infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. We’re talking about our family members, our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors, and—in many cases—we’re talking about our personal increased risk.

The virus will continue to circulate in our communities. Extra precautions may be needed to protect our friends, neighbors, and loved ones who are at increased risk of severe illness. We all can help protect people with weakened immune systems that can’t fend off the virus as well as others, and people with medical conditions that make it more likely they will get severely ill if they are infected. People who are at increased risk of severe illness—and family, friends, and coworkers who spend time with them—should consider taking extra precautions. These precautions can include wearing masks and getting tested before gathering together. FREE home test kits are currently available at the public health office and the medical clinic (while supplies last).

There will still be times that we need to take extra precautions. In areas where the COVID-19 community level is high—layered prevention measures are recommended. Layering prevention means the more steps you take to slow the spread of COVID-19, the safer you will be. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or if you have symptoms of COVID-19, take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. After a positive COVID-19 test, stay home for 5 days. While home, stay away from others in your household as much as possible. Wear a mask for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, wear a mask and get tested to find out if you are infected.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” Coretta Scott King