There Could Be Light at the End of Tunnel This Summer From the Pandemic

Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted mask and social distancing mandates last week for those who are vaccinated against COVID-19, the United States has slowly but surely been on its way back to normalcy. Dr. Sachin Nagrani, medical director of telemedicine/home doctor visit service Heal, says there is light at the end of the tunnel for public health and those newly infected by COVID.

According to Nagrani, we'll be seeing more activity this summer rather than last summer with more opportunities for our economy to interact.

The arrival of warmer weather for outdoor activity and more importantly the progression of vaccination rates in the United States allows for the loosening of mandates like mask wearing without expected impacts on public health.

"The COVID vaccines are highly effective and nearly half of American adults are fully vaccinated as are nearly three quarters of seniors," Nagrani says. "For individuals who have held off due to concerns about vaccine side effects, I would encourage speaking to your doctor about personal health concerns as well as your employer to inquire about time off to ensure feeling well before returning to work."

He adds he's optimistic that case rates can continue to decline as the weather improves and more folks of all ages are now being vaccinated. If those who are unvaccinated continue to wear masks and exercise caution around high-risk situations, the U.S. can avoid to see another spike.

To remain cautious, Nagrani recommends to avoid situations where a spread of coronavirus can primarily occur. These include indoors when ventilation is not strong with large gatherings and unvaccinated individuals. He adds it is best to continue following CDC and local guidelines as they evolve.