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What You Need To Know About Another Possible Wave of COVID-19 & What You Can Do To Stay Safe

Here in the U.S. we’ve already seen two large waves of the coronavirus but could there be a third wave on its way? Individuals are anxious for a relief from lockdowns, quarantines, knowing someone who passed away, and the general fear of getting infected themselves. At the time of this writing we’re still waiting on an approved vaccine for widespread use, and in the meantime everyone is trying to stay safe. Here’s what you need to know about another possible wave and how you can be prepared.

The Possibility of Another Wave

Vice President Mike Pence wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal in mid-June titled “There Isn’t a Coronavirus ‘Second Wave’. As it turns out there’s already been a second wave, and there’s now perhaps a third wave on the horizon. The first wave peaked in April, the second wave peaked in September at twice the rate of the former and now that we’re heading into the winter months history could repeat itself again.

It’s now late October and we’ve learned a lot about COVID-19 since March. According to Dr. Tom Inglesby of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 90% of the country has not yet been exposed to the virus. Additionally, he states that the virus hasn’t changed and still has the capacity to spread rapidly. The possibility of a third wave will likely have significant impacts on the economy as individuals may forego standard holiday travel and related activities.

COVID-19 + Flu Season

Speaking of standard holiday activities, individuals will now have to be vigilant against COVID-19 as well as the normal occurrence of flu season. According to Medical Futurist, there are studies that say cooler, drier weather helps the virus linger on surfaces longer. With two pathogens circulating at the same time we could see healthcare staff and hospitals put under increased strain if more people are getting sick for different reasons.

When it comes to another possible surge, the silver lining is that we know far more about the virus from the first two waves. According to Professor John Brownstein of the Harvard Medical School, “…we are learning much more about how to treat patients with serious complications compared to at the start of the pandemic. Now that we know more effective protocols and treatments, the number of deaths will likely go down.” This is encouraging news to hear especially at a time when a lot of folks are wondering if the virus will ever go away.

Steps You Can Take To Stay Safe

It may sound repetitive but there are some very basic steps that we can all take to stay health and help keep others around us safe:

  • Wash Your Hands Often
  • Physically Distance 6 Feet Apart
  • Wear A Mask In Public When Physical Distancing Isn’t Possible
  • Carry Hand Sanitizer With You
  • Take Immunity Boosting Supplements
  • Take Time To Care For Your Mental Health & Reduce Stress
  • Stay Physically Active