[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/covid19-roundtable-discussion\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/covid19-roundtable-discussion\/","headline":"COVID-19 and the Path Ahead: A Roundtable Discussion with UPMC Doctors","name":"COVID-19 and the Path Ahead: A Roundtable Discussion with UPMC Doctors","description":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its […]","datePublished":"2020-08-13","dateModified":"2022-06-20","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/roundtable-discussion-.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/roundtable-discussion-.jpg","height":885,"width":1920},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/covid19-roundtable-discussion\/","about":["COVID-19","Health Topics A-Z"],"wordCount":407,"keywords":["COVID-19"],"articleBody":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its publish date. We also encourage you to visit other reliable websites for updated information, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your state and local governments.\u00a0In a new roundtable discussion, a group of leading UPMC doctors share insight on the recent spike in COVID-19 cases \u2014 and what it means for your health care.The doctors discuss the need to wear facemasks while traveling in public, the importance of continuing medical care through the health crisis, and UPMC\u2019s readiness to care for patients as the pandemic stretches into the later part of 2020.In the months since COVID-19 emerged in western Pennsylvania, its effects on the community have continued to evolve, says Donald Yealy, MD, chair, Department of Emergency Medicine at UPMC.\u201cWhat we\u2019re going to see over time is changes in the numbers of people (affected), changes in the numbers of people who have bad forms of the illness,\u201d Dr. Yealy says.\u201cAnd what we\u2019re going to do with this from the UPMC side is prepare for the worst, but respond to and share with you what\u2019s actually happening right now, so you know how you can be safe.\u201dDr. Yealy is joined by Rachel Sackrowitz, MD, chief medical officer, UPMC ICU Service Center, and Richard Beigi, MD, president, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital.The doctors agreed that facemask use, social distancing, and handwashing are key to combating COVID-19 as case numbers fluctuate. For young people, particularly, prevention is critical: While they may be less likely to experience severe illness, they can spread COVID-19 to others who may develop serious complications.\u201cFor young people, the focus really is, \u2018How will my behavior impact those around me? And how can I change my behavior so that I can take care of everyone around me?\u2019\u201d Dr. Sackrowitz says.The far-ranging conversation also touches on how telemedicine and video visits break down barriers for vulnerable patients, how pregnant women and young children can stay protected, and how COVID-19 has affected minorities.Watch the video to view the full conversation and visit our website for more."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"COVID-19 and the Path Ahead: A Roundtable Discussion with UPMC Doctors","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/covid19-roundtable-discussion\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]