EL PASO COUNTY — "When we look at our Thanksgiving numbers we didn't get that spike we were really worried about. We have plateaued." El Paso County Public Health Medical Director, Dr. Robin Johnson is pleased COVID-19 data tracking shows improvement.
Some six weeks of rapidly rising numbers led to much more restrictive COVID-19 prevention rules. It included asking everyone to avoid getting together for large gatherings over the Thanksgiving holiday.
The rise has stopped, but decrease is minimal. There is a flattened curve on charts graphing the virus threat. It is a change for the better that is also still a problem with daily reports showing similar and consistent high numbers.
The arrival of a vaccine adds another tool to help get numbers going down. Dr. Johnson is confident in the vaccine but says it is a process that takes time. "This is starting as a trickle of water, but it will pick-up momentum.”
Vaccines are game-changers. They shift the battle plan to the offensive. In the early stages, it does not lessen the need for on-going defense. "Help us stay the course. Where your mask, keep social distancing, keep your gatherings small," said Dr. Johnson. Guidelines recommended for a downsized and distanced Thanksgiving are not changing for the rest of the 2020 holiday season.
So what happens after the holiday break? Governor Jared Polis rolled out the plans for schools to return to in-person learning in 2021.
