Finding Hope

ABSTRACT

Limiting viral transmission, improving treatment, and vaccine development are the top priorities, while assuring healthcare capacity and the economic health of our communities, as cases continue to increase, present competing priorities. Since the onset of the pandemic in the U.S. on January 22, 2020, the fall-out has changed what "normal life" looks like. [...]as students entered back into the healthcare environment to continue their clinical phase of training on June 20, we are facing challenges like no other as we tackle a surge in cases. Since the pandemic onset 178 days ago, July 18 brought with it, a global record for number of new cases-260,000 in one day with 74,000 of those new cases across the U.S. Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are again on the rise as the median age of those infected decreases owing to a rise in cases in younger people. Limiting viral transmission, improving treatment, and vaccine development are the top priorities, while assuring healthcare capacity and the economic health of our communities, as cases continue to increase, present competing priorities.