Now what? Uncertainty looms as we reach the Apex

On Monday, April 13 Governor Cuomo expressed that if we continue on our course, New York may have reached an apex of the pandemic. This outlook is positive, and considering all the grief, stress and heartache that we have felt and continue to feel, this positive outlook is a good thing. Yet, this doesn’t mean that things will go back to normal, or to our new normal. People are still getting sick, and sadly many are still dying. Our healthcare system has a better grip on the surge and capacity, yet there has not been a widely accepted effective course of treatment. Our scientists, doctors and healthcare workers are continuously attempting different treatments to help save lives. This is both physically and emotionally straining. The perseverance of our frontline workers has been extraordinary, and as a community and society, we need to continue our part as well.

There are multiple stages or phases to pandemics; the first is containment to try to slow the spread so that it doesn’t enter into communities. We are beyond that point. We are currently in mitigation against the community spread. This can be identified by our social distancing measures, wearing masks or facial barriers, and the temporary closure of the non-essential businesses and services. But we can’t be in this phase forever, at some point we need to assume our new normal. The new normal will include a period of containment until a vaccine is proven and tested.

The concern is that if the next steps are implemented improperly or are premature that we may have rebound effect. The conversation for considering how to initiate the “new normal” has already started at the federal, state and local levels. The implementation will be challenging to say the least, and seeing what will work will be dependent on the analysis of the interventions and tracking of the data. The focus on testing for the virus and antibodies for reintegration has already begun.

During this time we should continue to practice the mitigation efforts and have faith that the treatment plans are increasing ineffectiveness. Handwashing and social distancing continue to be on the forefront of our tactical successes. As we continue forward the intention is to be on the downside of the plateau and for it to continue downward till a vaccine is in place. We all need to continue to do our part to help save lives.
Our front line healthcare workers are doing everything in their power on the treatment side. Regardless of how you title it, “stop the spread” or “flatten the curve”, the community’s actions are essential to gaining headway against COVID19. We all know the saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, and now more than ever it is being realized.

We are weeks into the NY Pause mandates, and many of us have been home for much longer. Some of us don’t have that luxury and have been serving on the frontlines. Sadly there are still many who are fighting for their lives, or have lost the battle. As we engage the next steps of this pandemic, we are filled with uncertainty. How will our next days, weeks and months pan out? One thing is for sure, is that we all need to do our part. Stress and fear are high, but please don’t act out. Care for one another as if you don’t have a guaranteed future. Help others navigate through the stressors of the pandemic, and don’t be too proud to ask for help. The road ahead does not have a clearly outlined path, but together we can make the best of it.

Lt. Sam Pinto is a career firefighter, paramedic, nationally certified fire instructor, and certified fire and life safety educator. He can be reached at SPinto@iaff287.org.