William D. Jones, MD is an active presence in the Oklahoma City, OK medical community who provides a combination of preventative medicine and occupational health care. A current focus for William D. Jones, MD is on understanding the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Oklahoma communities, as they look for a sensible way forward.
As reported in The Oklahoman in early May, the state’s Health Department expanded a program focused on identifying those individuals who have had potential COVID-19 exposure. This will help to minimize coronavirus transmission at a time when community leaders are making efforts to reopen the economy.
As described by the interim state epidemiologist, the success of this program hinges on whether people are willing to be tested. One concern is that a sizable number of people may be asymptomatic and not interested in learning whether they have the virus. Unfortunately, even those who remain asymptomatic can spread COVID-19 to those who are vulnerable to the disease.
The bottom line is that if everyone is “operating from the same playbook,” the reopening can be made to work in a safe and orderly manner. However, if hiding the disease and evading the system takes place, the impact will be far worse and it may take much longer to get to a point where people feel safe going out in public.
Among those who are currently being trained to make contact with those who have been exposed to people with the virus are Oklahoma National Guard members. The program is expected to expand to as many as 1,000 employees as they begin canvassing the state.
As reported in The Oklahoman in early May, the state’s Health Department expanded a program focused on identifying those individuals who have had potential COVID-19 exposure. This will help to minimize coronavirus transmission at a time when community leaders are making efforts to reopen the economy.
As described by the interim state epidemiologist, the success of this program hinges on whether people are willing to be tested. One concern is that a sizable number of people may be asymptomatic and not interested in learning whether they have the virus. Unfortunately, even those who remain asymptomatic can spread COVID-19 to those who are vulnerable to the disease.
The bottom line is that if everyone is “operating from the same playbook,” the reopening can be made to work in a safe and orderly manner. However, if hiding the disease and evading the system takes place, the impact will be far worse and it may take much longer to get to a point where people feel safe going out in public.
Among those who are currently being trained to make contact with those who have been exposed to people with the virus are Oklahoma National Guard members. The program is expected to expand to as many as 1,000 employees as they begin canvassing the state.
