Author: Phyllis Agran, MD, MPH, FAAP

Although the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has begun, it is critical that we all continue to do our part to prevent the rapid transmission of the virus.

The most important thing you can do is to wear a mask every time you leave the house. And the mask must fit properly, covering your mouth and your nose. The nose is connected to the respiratory system and the virus can be inhaled.

My entire professional life in public health and as a pediatrician has been dedicated to the prevention of disease wherever possible, and to delivering appropriate medical interventions whenever necessary.

But, even more rewarding for me — and the real payoff for society — is when we institute policies and organize our resources to prevent the spread of disease.

Here we are several months into the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  The numbers tell a terrible story.  Worldwide, the pandemic has afflicted over 90 million people and killed more than 1.9 million.

And, even though the U.S. population of 330 million is only 4.1 percent of the world’s 8 billion people, Americans account for more than 25 percent of all COVID-19 cases and deaths.

My entire professional life in public health and as a pediatrician has been dedicated to the prevention of disease wherever possible, and to delivering appropriate medical interventions whenever necessary.  For me, diagnosing and treating an individual patient for a disease is very rewarding. 

But, even more rewarding for me — and the real payoff for society — is when we institute policies and organize our resources to prevent the spread of disease.