An important message from John R. Brumsted, MD President and CEO, The University of Vermont HealthDear
Dear Community Leader,
When we’re dealing with adversity, we want to know how bad things might become, and when it will end. One of the many difficult things about COVID-19 is that those kinds of answers have been hard to come by.
Today I want to share with you a crucial message, a message consistent with what our government leaders are telling us: The most challenging days of this pandemic still lie ahead of us. That’s a hard thing to hear after weeks of anxiety and disruption. But it’s absolutely critical that we don’t become complacent in the coming days and weeks. Our hospitals, providers and state leaders have been planning diligently for an expected surge in COVID-19 patients. We’ve added bed capacity, canceled non-essential medical procedures, transitioned to telehealth when possible and stood up alternative COVID-19 testing sites. We’re working with the states to confront this coming surge by collaborating on setting up alternative care sites and participating in all medical planning activities. But the actions that each and every one of us take today can decrease the surge’s expected numbers and ease the burden on our health care workers. So I’m asking our communities to please double down on the key tactics for combating this pandemic: Stay at home; practice social distancing if you have to go out; wash your hands properly and often; and avoid touching your face.
It’s up to all of us to make sure the devastating, worst-case scenarios of some COVID-19 models don’t come to pass. I want to emphasize the need to stay informed and focused on the work that lies ahead. We can all play a role in slowing the spread of this virus. Continuing to take even the simplest precautionary steps – leaving home only for absolutely essential trips, or keeping at least six feet away from your neighbor when you’re out for a walk – will have an exponential impact on the health and safety of our families, friends and communities.
Thank you for your continued efforts and your partnership in confronting this pandemic.
For more information on COVID-19 and the steps UVM Health Network is taking to address it, please see our updated website.
Sincerely,
John
John R. Brumsted, MD
President and CEO, The University of Vermont Health Network
Posted: April 3rd, 2020 under Heathcare News, Regional NY-VT News.