Amos shares thoughts on COVID-19

Thursday, April 1, 2021
Adam Amos, MD

The statewide mask mandate instituted last spring by Gov. Eric Holcomb is set to expire on Tuesday, April 6.

With this in mind, more responsibility for guidance regarding COVID-19 will fall to local health departments.

As such, Putnam County Health Officer Dr. Adam Amos penned the following open letter to the community.

Dear community members:

I am excited to see the results of so much work by so many people as cases of COVID-19 have trended down over the last few weeks. As the Indiana state mask mandate is nearing its end, we appreciate that the governor has now elected to look to the local health department for guidance about continuation of measures to stop the spread of the Sars-Cov-2 virus.

As your health officer, I take seriously my role to help promote the health and wellbeing of our community, and one of the most powerful ways I feel I can do that is by sharing with you why we do what we do. With all of the advancements in fighting this awful disease, I want to share what measures are important to continue, but also why we take them and when they do and don’t make sense.

1. Mask wearing – For some of us, masks have become the bane of our existence. For others, it has become just another part of the routine with putting your shoes on. For all of us, however, this remains one of the simplest measures you can take to prevent the spread of illness, whether it be COVID-19 or influenza. If you are in a situation where you could be getting or giving disease by sharing droplets from your breath, wear a mask.

And remember, a mask below the nose is like pants below the knees ... you have to cover the important parts for it to matter.

But there are times when you shouldn’t wear a mask. If you are enjoying the outdoors, sitting at home with your healthy immediate family or spending time with people who are immune to COVID-19, take that mask off.

I am a strong believer that doing the right thing because you want to is always better than doing it because you have to. Be a grown-up, and take this opportunity to prove that we can do the right thing even without a mandate.

2. Immunization – For those with risk factors, this step is a matter of self-preservation, but for everyone, immunization is also an act of selflessness. Even if your risk of complications from COVID-19 are extremely low, you can still avoid being the means by which someone else gets very sick by preventing the disease in yourself.

The technology behind even the newest vaccine is over a decade old, so use this tried-and-true method of using the framework God gave us and teach your body to do the work for you through the best medicine ... your own immune system.

3. Treatments – While an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, there will still be times that despite all our efforts, some will still contract COVID-19. There have been many advancements in the area of treatment in the last year, and while their effectiveness is limited, it is also real and measurable, so if you believe you may have COVID-19, please contact your doctor immediately.

Our most effective treatments available now are only effective if given as early as possible, before you get severely sick, so time is of the essence.

We are getting closer and closer to finally being done with this pandemic. I believe that the end of this will ultimately be achieved as we continue with a bit of common sense, care and diligence.

Adam Amos, MD

Putnam County Health Officer

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  • Thank you Adam! It does come down to doing the right thing. I have had both my shots over 2 weeks ago and when I had to run into the store for a can of coffee, I thought I will just be in there a second so I did not put on my mask. When I walked in, it did not feel right. I had my mask in my pocket, put it on, and felt better.

    -- Posted by localjoe on Fri, Apr 2, 2021, at 7:25 AM
  • Great article . If only citizens follow your advice. Thank you Dr. Amos

    -- Posted by Nit on Fri, Apr 2, 2021, at 9:04 AM
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    Thank you Dr. Amos, for your message of science-informed expertise.

    -- Posted by Bunny1E on Fri, Apr 2, 2021, at 4:13 PM
  • Most data I find is saying 6 solid months of protection, maybe more. BTW, from the NEJOM.

    Will localjoe and all of us that get vaccinated need booster in Sept/Dec?

    I also find it interesting this research isn't really promoted.

    -- Posted by beg on Thu, Apr 8, 2021, at 1:26 PM
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    "I thought I will just be in there a second so I did not put on my mask. When I walked in, it did not feel right. I had my mask in my pocket, put it on, and felt better."

    That is a conditioned response.

    Scary.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Fri, Apr 9, 2021, at 11:04 PM
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