From Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch via Facebook:Throughout the pandemic, I have tried to present information in a straightforward manner. I know that each of us must weigh our own risks and comfort level based on our personal circumstances. I have stressed the need to protect others, even if you are not concerned about catching the virus yourself.
Last week, several friends shared a Facebook post. This post, from their friend Jodie, illustrates how things went terribly wrong for their family. “We made some critical mistakes that ended with 10 positive COVID-19 tests plus one probable positive case though the test was negative. We had no party or large gathering. The spread was through a series of small, intimate interactions.” Every family member was symptomatic and her father ultimately died from Covid.
Jodie wrote that her father was always helping people and she hopes that sharing their story may help others and be part of his legacy. Her key takeaways:
1. People you trust, who are close to you, like your immediate family can be carriers — with or without symptoms.
2. We needed to wear masks everywhere including inside our own homes.* Our doctor suggested wearing them outside too if you are near anyone outside of your household. (*This outbreak started when some cousins spent the night at Jodie’s parents house, visited her sisters’ home and then ended up at her home.)
3. We underestimated how easily COVID-19 spreads, even with very few people together. You don’t need to be at a party, not at a nursing home, etc. you just need to be near one infected person.
4. Kids can get it from grandparents. It’s not always the other way around. Kids can and do get symptoms and become severely ill.
5. It is easier said than done to do the right thing 100% of the time.
(I will share the entire post in the comments)
The latest data on Covid-19 paints a pretty bleak picture. Positive cases are the highest they have been in Georgia since the pandemic began and testing is down. Georgia’s data does not even include the rapid antigen tests, which means the numbers are likely even worse than we know. The situation in other states is worse. Hospitals are much busier than normal and there are states with no remaining ICU beds.
There is hope. New treatments that are lessening the severity of the virus in some patients. And there continues to be promising news about the development of Covid-19 vaccines. Please save December 15th at 7 PM for a virtual meet up with the Mayor. I will be joined by an immunologist who will share valuable information about the vaccine development, trials, and safety. I am hopeful that we will also have the distribution plan for Georgia by the event.
In the meantime, please begin to plan for a safe holiday season. Stay home if you are sick. Wear masks, avoid crowds, and wash your hands.
Happy Hanukah to all who celebrate. To add some festivity to this holiday season, on Saturday night, Dunwoody opens Holidays Lights at Brook Run Park. It will be on until Dec 28th so there is plenty of time to visit and avoid the crowds.