Since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Alaska, the Alaska State Medical Association has worked with the state to provide information and insight into how to protect Alaskans, maintain adequate access to health care and reduce infection rates. The governor and his staff have been accessible, engaged and open to hearing our thoughts and ideas as we all grow our understanding of this new disease.
While we should all expect some disagreement on strategies and tactics, there is no question in our minds that informed decisions are being made with careful consideration and deliberation with Alaskans' health at the forefront.
When dealing with a new disease, specially one that has such a high infection rate, none of us will get every decision right. What is important is that we all do our part to support the decisions as they are made and give them the best chance to work. While debating decisions and constructive criticism can be healthy, there is far too much politicizing these issues and far too many personal attacks. COVID-19 is a common threat that all Alaskans share. When the governor or your mayor ask for personal sacrifices, we should all be willing to try, even if we have doubts on the strategy, to do our part to help our neighbors and our state.
Infection rates have increased significantly over the past month. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is correct to highlight this and ask for additional vigilance. None of us want to see restaurants and other businesses close. We want our neighbors, friends and fellow Alaskans to maintain the jobs and businesses. But as we see infection rates grow, we need to take extra precautions so we can avoid further lockdowns.
In this vein, ASMA applauds the governor’s latest comments urging Alaskans to stay home when they can, social distance and wear masks where possible. We join the call for Alaskans to take personal responsibility and do what they can to help all of us reduce our infection rate.
When COVID-19 first arrived, there were credible differences of opinion on the efficacy of wearing masks. But over time, the Center for Disease Control observational and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the “real-world” effectiveness of wearing masks. On Nov. 10, the CDC noted the following:
• An investigation of a high-exposure event, in which two symptomatically ill hair stylists interacted for an average of 15 minutes with each of 139 clients during an eight-day period, found that none of the 67 clients who subsequently consented to an interview and testing developed infection. The stylists and all clients universally wore masks in the salon, as required by local ordinance and company policy at the time.
• A retrospective case-control study from Thailand documented that, among more than 1,000 persons interviewed as part of contact tracing investigations, those who reported having always worn a mask during high-risk exposures experienced a greater than 70% reduced risk of acquiring infection compared with persons who did not wear masks under these circumstances.
• A study of an outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, an environment notable for congregate living quarters and close working environments, found that use of face coverings on-board was associated with a 70% reduced risk.
• Investigations involving infected passengers aboard flights longer than 10 hours strongly suggest that masking prevented in-flight transmissions, as demonstrated by the absence of infection developing in other passengers and crew in the 14 days following exposure.
Please join us in supporting the governor’s call to action. Wear your mask and social distance when you can and let’s work together to reduce the impacts of the pandemic.
Dr. Steven Sivils, D.O., is President of the Alaska State Medical Association.
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November 14, 2020 at 07:06AM
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Masks work. Distancing works. Let's do our part to stop COVID-19, Alaska. - Anchorage Daily News
"work" - Google News
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