By the time you read this hopefully everyone (the medical community, the media, the politicians and the public at large) are all on the same page when it comes to the truths on COVID – 19. As of this writing, there is very little alignment. Despite navigating the idiosyncrasies of a new worldwide pandemic, the medical community and public health organizations are at the forefront of accuracy with the media (both ‘news’ and social) being much less precise. The message therefore became very blurry.

For example, at the time of this writing, people focused more on stocking up on toilet paper than isolating older family members (and those with compromised immune systems). The politicians all seemed stuck in the middle, trying to calm fears while at the same time, trying to get hospitals and communities the resources they need. Bars, restaurants, schools and gatherings have been closed, reduced in numbers or cancelled.
 
I don’t often talk about what I do, because these columns are always geared towards patient care and staff engagement, but ImageFIRST is the largest national supplier of medical linen to the healthcare provider market. Like our customers, their teams and other critical vendors, at times like this, it is vital that we stay on the forefront of the latest information. Despite an evolving situation, over-communicating the facts to our patients, their families and our teams should remain a key focus. My dad, who is elderly, asked me the other day how there can be so many “experts” on TV on a subject that is brand new. I explained to him there is a huge difference in knowledge between someone from the CDC and a blogger who writes about anything and everything. As the folks on the forefront, we have an obligation to our communities to continue to base our action on the facts, while at the same time controlling unnecessary fears.