HJBR May/Jun 2021

CRACKS 26 MAY / JUN 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   I’ve been practicing general ENT (ear, nose and throat) medicine and surgery in the greater Baton Rouge area since 1983. I am not a virologist, infectious disease or intensive care specialist. I am, however, a diplomat of the American Board of Otolaryngology, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, and a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. In March of 2020, our country and this world was attacked by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Because of the extremely contagious and often fatal outcomes associated with this virus, our world and lives were dramatically changed and irreparably damaged. This damage still persists today. Our ignorance about this viral killer resulted in a nationwide shutdown, and we’re still dealing with the tragic results of these drastic changes. Our fear of the virus is legitimate but has been enhanced by our lack of understanding of it and, in my opinion, made worse by overzealous politicians and willing accomplices in the news media. My specialty is particularly susceptible to getting the virus because of the areas in which we examine our patients (nose and throat where flus and most upper respiratory viruses live). Many measures we have taken to minimize the spread have not only reduced the spread of COVID but also many other upper respiratory viruses and even bacteria. Frequent hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks have helped. We, in my group, have diagnosed many patients with COVID who often presented with “normal” cold or allergy- type symptoms. Every patient that has complained of loss of taste or smell has tested positive. There’s no doubt that the number of upper respiratory illnesses I’ve seen has diminished during COVID. I have not seen a case of flu yet this year. I think that members of my specialty will wear masks during patient contact for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, I think patients coming to our office will as well. I think the days of large waiting rooms with patients running fever, having cough, etc. will not be the norm. We try to get patients with fever, active cough, etc. into exam rooms right away. In the past year, we have learned that COVID generally has minimal effects on the young without preexisting conditions and have pushed to try to get them back into school and normal school activities. Unfortunately, there are those in positions of authority who choose to ignore such science, and the children suffer. Children should resume normal activities unless they have conditions that make them more susceptible to Covid-19. Children should wear masks if ill or around the vulnerable. Science does not support random masking of children. Children need social interaction and learning in more normal settings. Private schools have had in-person learning for months with no significant risks. I personally have had COVID as did other members of my family. Gratefully, we all survived, and the grandchildren that were affected had little or no symptoms. With the vaccines and the huge numbers Stanley "Bubba" E. Peters, Jr., MD, is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery (FAAO-HNS), the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (FAAOA), and the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery. His training included Louisiana State University Medical School, St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado, Eye and Ear Institute of Louisiana, Veterans Administration Hospital and Charity Hospital of Louisiana. He serves on the Board for the Baton Rouge Cancer Services and is a member of both the Louisiana and East Baton Rouge Parish medical societies.