OCH expert reminds public to continue coronavirus measures

Even with warm weather and summer holidays, local experts are still warning people to be vigilant about the spread of COVID-19.

OCH Regional Medical Center Director of Quality and Infection Control Savannah Brown said that the virus was still a major issue, and reminded citizens to wash their hands, wear a face mask in public and maintain six feet of social distancing with anyone not in their immediate household.

“The CDC has put out recommendations that a cloth face covering can truly protect you,” Brown said. “If you’re wearing it and I’m wearing it, it can help a lot.”

She said that while masks still had their flaws, being able to stop at least some of the saliva coming from ones mouth would make a difference. She also spoke to the effectiveness of masks at protecting other people from the novel coronavirus.

“I understand that COVID-19 is less likely to impact young, healthy people, but I don’t necessarily say that you need to wear a mask to protect young, healthy people, you need to wear it to protect anyone, whether that be their grandparents or their aunt with diabetes,” Brown said.

She then referred to the “big three” of social distancing, masks and hand washing.

“Not just wearing a mask, but good respiratory etiquette in general,” Brown said. “If you’re coughing and sneezing, first, you

don’t need to be out and around people, but if you do, do it into the joint of your arm. I’ve actually seen people pull the mask away while coughing. Please don’t do that.

“It doesn’t block the tiniest droplets,” Brown added. “That is true, but it does block some, and it decreases the distance they travel.”

She emphasized the importance of social distancing and urged people planning large July 4th get-togethers to practice six feet of social distancing at their celebrations. She said it was particularly important to consider between people not living in the same household.

“I know it sounds almost cruel to tell people that social gatherings for July 4th can be dangerous, but they really can be,” Brown said. “We saw a significant

jump in COVID-19 cases after Memorial Day weekend and I don’t want to see that again.”

She said the possibility of cases climbing after the holiday weekend was a real concern for her.

“It’s going to be best to be outside, absolutely, and it’s going to be best to attempt to be distant from each other,” Brown said.

Brown said she had noticed a significant drop in the number of people taking precautions in recent weeks.

“I know that when I have to go out and run errands, I always wear (a mask) because I know that I am more likely to have been exposed here at the hospital, but also because I have older in-laws that I want to protect,” Brown said.

She urged anyone who thought they might have contracted the virus to stay home.

“I would say don’t ignore those mild symptoms,” Brown said. “Don’t write

them off as allergies and then go out and be around people. That is where we’re seeing spreading come from.”

She said some telltale symptoms, particularly in younger people included, headaches, loss of taste and smell, fatigue, body aches and respiratory symptoms. However, she said it presented differently in different people.

“I have never seen a virus that has a broader range of symptoms, and new symptoms come out just about every day,” Brown said.

She said that she personally supported the stricter mask measures that will be considered in the Starkville Board of Aldermen and Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors meetings next week.

“I want to have faith in my fellow community members that we’re going to take care of each other, and sometimes that means doing something that’s uncomfortable, like putting on a mask,” Brown said.