Adam Bressler, M.D.
Shamie Das, M.D.
Thomas E. Bat, M.D.
W. Scott Bohlke, M.D.
Fonda A. Mitchell, M.D.
Rob Schreiner, M.D.
John J. Marshall, M.D.
MAG members weigh in on the COVID-19 pandemic from A to Z
T
he Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia asked a diverse mix of MAG members to weigh in on the COVID-19 pandemic from a number of perspectives, including how it has affected the profession, the economic implications, the biggest challenges they have faced, the steps that their practice or system have taken to protect their patients and their staff, how much support they have (or have not) received from the state and federal government, how MAG and other advocacy organizations have assisted them, and whether the state is prepared for a “second wave.” The MAG members who were asked to participate in this process included (in alphabetical order)… Thomas E. Bat, M.D. – Family Medicine CEO, North Atlanta Primary Care, PC W. Scott Bohlke, M.D. – Family Medicine Bohler Family Practice, Statesboro Adam Bressler, M.D. – Infectious Diseases Partner, Infectious Disease Specialists of Atlanta Shamie Das, M.D. – Emergency Medicine Emory University Hospital, Atlanta John J. Marshall, M.D. – Cardiology Chief, Northside Hospital Cardiovascular Institute & Governor, Georgia Chapter of the American College of Cardiology Fonda A. Mitchell, M.D. – OB-GYN Southeast Permanente Medical Group, Duluth Rob Schreiner, M.D. – Pulmonary Medicine President, Wellstar Medical Group, Wellstar Health System How prepared/unprepared were we for COVID-19? Dr. Bat: Fortunately, our practice recognized that some of the patients we were seeing that had traveled to Asia in January had COVID symptoms – and we started submitting persons under investigation (PUI) forms. However, the government’s response to the pandemic was, on every level, too slow and poorly
coordinated. From testing to public service communications, we lost valuable time and let this virus spread. Having reviewed the U.S. National Influenza Pandemic Handbook for the last 20 years, I believe that we should have collectively responded better than we did. Our failures will be analyzed for decades to come. Dr. Bohlke: I would say average. We have dealt with the flu for years, and we have undergone proper precautions over the years. I do believe that the speed with which virus spread made it very difficult to be completely prepared, and our health system is not set up to handle this type of situation. Dr. Bressler: We were prepared on some level due to previous threats (H1N1 and Ebola), as well as some lead time relative to other parts of the country, but there was simply no way to be totally prepared for the pace and degree of disruption. Dr. Das: Unfortunately, as a country we were unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple levels. The pandemic further stressed an already stained health care system. While we have experienced “bad” flu seasons that have pushed our systems to the limit in terms of capacity, the pandemic exacerbated those weaknesses. In terms of the pathophysiology, COVID-19 manifests with a broad symptomatology that is comparable to many respiratory viruses, making it difficult to distinguish (other than the loss of smell and taste, which appears to be somewhat unique). Donning and doffing PPE is another area where we had not practiced enough prior to the pandemic, and we still are not 100 percent sure what level of PPE we really need (e.g., goggles vs. face shields). In terms of a systemic response, we did not learn from other pandemics like SARS, MERS, or the swine flu. Health care systems did not have procedures in place to account for the shift in volumes, the need for isolation, or testing a large cohort of patients. If a mass casualty event had occurred, many hospitals would have been overwhelmed and unable to meet the demands. Dr. Marshall: We were very well prepared. We had lots of PPE, etc.
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