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03.05.21

MHA Today | March 5, 2021

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MHA Today

MHA Today is provided as a service to members of the Missouri Hospital Association.

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In 1736, Benjamin Franklin warned Philadelphians that “an ounce of prevention was worth a pound of cure.” Franklin wasn’t speaking of illness; rather, he was warning against another dangerous contagion — fire. Nonetheless, his words have become a cornerstone concept of public health.

In December, the delivery of the first approved COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. provided a pivot point. Until the vaccine arrived, our most effective approach to combating COVID-19 was avoidance, not immunity. The tools and technologies needed for avoidance are medically old-school, including quarantine and isolation, social distancing, hand washing, and masking.

When the history of COVID-19 is written, it likely will mention the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson brands for their work on vaccines. It certainly will include the term “warp speed” — a concept that would have been foreign to Franklin, or anyone not familiar with modern science fiction. A fair telling would include the heroic tale of work done by all parts of the health care team as humankind moved toward immunity.

Certainly, the vaccines’ scientific breakthroughs are worth more than a historical footnote. But it is worth remembering, the science of prevention got us this far.

I recently read a column related to this combination of high-tech and low-tech approaches to pandemic response that was extremely thought-provoking. It suggested that these tools are necessarily complementary. While technology may create new ways of managing a crisis like COVID-19, uneven technology adoption also can create challenges to reaching those who aren’t “plugged in.” At the same time, quarantine and social distancing can leave those who aren’t connected out in the cold — with limited emotional support or ability to reach the world. Cutting edge isn’t a panacea. Old-school isn’t necessarily irrelevant.

In Ben Franklin’s time, when an occasional or seasonal disease outbreak occurred, the well-heeled could depart for the summer to their country estate to ride out the epidemic. Alternatively, the poor city dwellers were left nowhere to run. Today, we know that there are similar gaps — whether they be isolated seniors in rural communities or urban communities with limited health care access. Technology only will provide a partial bridge to delivering science into their arms through vaccination. Hospitals, public health and community stakeholder engagement will be needed to reach these populations — in the communities they live, work, worship, learn and play.

Hopefully, the heroes of the COVID-19 history will be many. This is a narrative that will include countless public health leaders working to manage the crisis, health care workers hidden behind PPE, scientists in remote labs and artsy citizens with a sewing machine and an Etsy account.

The pandemic has been an all-hands-on-deck response. Much like the transition after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the U.S. entry into World War II, everyone had a role to play and a responsibility to contribute. We’ve seen scarcity — PPE shortages and runs on toilet paper stocks. We’ve also seen resilience — Zoom meetings and homemade masks are the modern “victory garden.”

What’s old is new. In part, that’s because what’s old still works. The story of COVID-19 should begin at the beginning. It’s a narrative that leads with prevention, not cures.

Soon, the supply and demand curves will meet for vaccines, and getting a place in line won’t feel like finding a golden wrapper in your Wonka Bar. Until then, we’ll use an ongoing mix of old school and cutting edge to preserve lives until we develop populationwide immunity.

Think about that while you stoke your Franklin Stove, carefully.

And, as always, I’m interested in what you’re thinking.

Herb Kuhn, MHA President & CEO

 

 

Herb B. Kuhn
MHA President and CEO

In This Issue

MLN Connects Provider eNews Available
St. Louis Regional Health Commission Releases Chronic Pain Workbook
CMS Announces IPFQR Program Webinar
Emergency Directive — New Attacks Against Microsoft Exchange Server
Center For Internet Security Offers No-Cost Malicious Domain Blocking And Reporting
Jeff Tindle Announces Retirement

Regulatory News
Quality and Population Health
Noteworthy
CEO Updates
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