Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, director of quality and patient safety at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, says that while some restrictions on things like social gatherings may ease as we move towards recovery, other COVID health precautions -19, like wearing masks, are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Credit: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
While restrictions may ease, life will still be different on the other side of the pandemic.
Many of us are waiting for the day when we will no longer need to wear masks in public and will be able to go to a show or simply hug our loved ones. And the more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, there is growing optimism for a happier and healthier future. But experts warn that life will not return to normal at the touch of a button and hope that many health precautions and restrictions implemented during the pandemic will continue in the near future. A new national survey of more than 2,000 Americans by Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center found that most are on board with the continuation of many of these pandemic precautions in the name of public health, even when the pandemic is over.
A new national survey of more than 2,000 Americans by Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center found that most plan to continue with many of the pandemic precautions in the name of public health, even when the pandemic is over.
As more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, there is growing optimism for a happier and healthier future. But experts warn that life will not return to normal immediately, and people should expect that many health precautions and restrictions implemented during the pandemic will continue in the near future.
“While the progress we are making toward recovery is exciting, it is critical not to take the precautions that we know have worked so far,” said Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, director of quality and patient safety at The Ohio State Medical Center Wexner. “Masks and physical distance are still our best weapons to limit spread, and now that we have a vaccine, we will make these precautions even more effective and reduce the number of new cases if we keep going.”
Mike Nicholson broadcasts his hip-hop fitness classes live and has been limiting face-to-face participation for months. He is looking forward to getting more people back to school. But to get there, everyone will have to follow the COVID-19 security protocols. Credit: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
The survey found that nearly three quarters (72%) of Americans plan to continue wearing masks in public, four out of five (80%) will still avoid crowds and 90% plan to maintain frequent hand washing and disinfectant use after COVID – 19 Gonsenhauser says it is encouraging that people are willing to continue these practices and that this year’s flu season is proof of their effectiveness.
“Flu cases and hospitalizations have decreased compared to the past few years. Much of this is likely because precautions such as masking, physical distance and hand hygiene are working to prevent the flu, ”said Gonsenhauser. “I think a lot of people realize that what we learned from COVID-19 can be applied more generally to keep our population healthy.”
Mike Nicholson leads a hip-hop fitness class in Columbus. For months, he limited the number of people who can attend classes in person, and although he is eager to return to full capacity, he says that precautions should continue until the COVID-19 threat is eliminated. Credit: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
After nearly a year of living in a world dramatically altered by the pandemic, continuing these practices can ease the anxiety of returning to public spaces. Wearing a mask, for example, can provide a sense of control and comfort to those who are afraid of a persistent pandemic.
Experts also predict that there are some aspects of society that will never return to pre-pandemic standards, and that is not all bad. Work at home options are likely to remain in many sectors and the convenience of seeing your doctor virtually through a telehealth visit is likely to remain and even expand in the future.