Twelve Months of COVID-19

This March, we recognize the one year anniversary of when the United States fully realized the COVID-19 impact and instituted widespread closures, quarantines, and health policies. It seems like it’s been much longer than just one year since “covid times” began, but we’ve come full circle.  

What We Learned

Since March 2020, society and scientists have learned a lot about the way the virus spreads, how to prevent it, and – most critically – effective treatment methods. Closures and quarantines during 2020 helped “slow the spread” and “flatten the curve” dramatically, allowing hospitals, scientists, and businesses time to catch up, develop effective treatment methods, and institute consistent policies. 

As closures continued, though, restaurants, entertainment, and events suffered. Small businesses struggled to stay afloat, even with financial support and community donations. Social controversy partnered with financial losses created challenges that many found hard to overcome. How do you protect yourself and your family, but also keep your business open?

Mental Health

For the general public, mental health tanked quickly. Humans are fundamentally social, and quarantine was a tough pill to swallow. Travel plans were canceled, gym and group exercise was put on hold, visits to family and friends ceased. Even mental health appointments couldn’t continue as every business across industries reevaluated their in-person abilities. 

Those with severe mental illness especially struggled. Routines were in disarray, coping activities and outlets were unavailable, and triggers were everywhere. As a result, telehealth services were deemed acceptable to insurance carriers so mental health services could continue. 

Through telehealth appointments and the switch to virtual, remote working, PDG was able to maintain the highest level of service delivery to our consumers. PDG made a number of other changes to address the unprecedented year of ups and downs as well. 

Maryland Stats

Between March 2020 and March 2021, Maryland saw 390,000+ COVID-19 cases, with over 8,000 deaths. Prince George’s County saw the biggest portion of those cases with about 74,000. Maryland falls solidly in the middle of all states based on total number of coronavirus cases, with California in the lead and Vermont bringing up the rear. So far, there are already 640,000+ fully vaccinated individuals in Maryland. 

Vaccine Development 

There are three currently available brands of COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Since December 2020, states and countries across the world have begun rolling out vaccine distribution according to phases of priority. 

The vaccine is in limited supply, so it’s being distributed in phases, starting with those most vulnerable to the virus and those most likely to be exposed. 

Despite a comprehensive rollout plan and studies showing that those with severe mental illness are at a higher risk of catching COVID-19, those individuals have yet to be prioritized. Fortunately, PDG is advocating for our consumers and working with them to identify opportunities for vaccination as soon as possible. PDG staff were also able to get vaccinated in January 2021. 

What a year it’s been and we still have quite a ways to go before COVID-19 is in the rearview mirror. If you need support with your mental health, call PDG Therapeutics to schedule a virtual counseling session at 410-863-7213.

Interested in getting the vaccine? Register here to be notified when your vaccine is ready.