COVID-19 Vaccinations & Precautions
When COVID-19 arrived in the U.S. in early 2020, no one expected that we would still be grappling with a raging pandemic in 2021. Confirmed cases and deaths are still rising in some areas, and many aspects of daily life that we took for granted just a year ago now seem like a distant memory.
We’re all ready for life to return to normal, and there are things we can do to help speed that process.
A good first step is to get the COVID-19 vaccine. POSM is thankful that, with cooperation from East Jefferson General Hospital, our employees who choose to be vaccinated have the opportunity to do so. CEO Robert Marks, pictured with his vaccination card, led by example in this effort. We encourage anyone in the community who is eligible to talk to their health care provider and get the vaccine when the time is right.
Is the Vaccine Safe?
There’s a misconception that the vaccine was rushed and may not be safe. The truth is that vaccines to battle previous variants of coronavirus have been in development for nearly 15 years. It was just a matter of adjusting these vaccines to effectively combat COVID-19. So while the fact that we’ve only known about the disease for a year or so may make it seem rushed, the vaccine is actually built on many years of research and work.
Learn more from the CDC about the COVID-19 vaccine and what to expect when you receive it.
"There’s a misconception that the vaccine was rushed and may not be safe. The truth is that vaccines to battle previous variants of coronavirus have been in development for nearly 15 years. "
- Robert E. Marks, RN, MBA, CPC
What POSM is Doing to Help Slow the Spread
At POSM, we are protecting our employees and patients in a variety of ways.
The first is daily screening. Each employee is required to complete a daily health questionnaire, and all patients receive a temperature screening before they are allowed to enter the waiting area.
We also social distance in the front office and back office. We have limited seating to provide ample space for patients to social distance in the waiting room. Behind the scenes, work stations have been moved at least six feet apart, and we also discourage employees from congregating at each other’s work stations or in common areas.
POSM provides sanitizing products and asks staff to wipe down their work areas at least two times a day, and our offices are professionally fogged with anti-microbial disinfectant. We also follow all published state guidelines regarding employees returning to work after a COVID-19 infection or exposure.
Let’s All Do Our Part
We all miss those things that make our community special. We miss the packed Superdome on a Saints Sunday. We miss the Mardi Gras madness. We miss live music. We long for those special moments like gathering with family to celebrate events and holidays, or even something as simple as stopping off at a restaurant for a bite with a few friends.
Those things will come back, but it’s going to require us all to do our part. We encourage everyone to talk to their health care provider about getting the vaccine when the time is right. In the meantime, the best way to help slow the spread is to continue to be vigilant about following Federal, State and local guidelines when it comes to wearing masks, social distancing, hand-washing and sanitizing. Working together is the quickest way back to letting the good times roll again!
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