SHEA Urges Continued Adherence to Public Health Measures to Help end the Pandemic

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America is urging people to keep wearing masks in all community and healthcare settings. Masks remain a critical prevention measure as we continue to address the spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States and the world.

It is equally important to maintain physical distancing practices, avoid large gatherings with people outside of your home, and remember to wash hands frequently. Preventing the transmission of COVID-19 is the best line of defense as we continue to work on vaccinating more people in the United States and abroad.  

Continued adherence to public health guidance is our most effective tool for bringing the pandemic to an end and safely reopening the economy. 

“While declining and flattening rates of infections and death here in the United States reflect the hard-won gains of successful public health mitigation practices, COVID-19 is still active in our communities and more transmissible variants pose increased risks,” said Mary Hayden, MD, FIDSA, FSHEA, President, SHEA Board of Trustees. “Now is the time to remain vigilant as we look to bring the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to a close.”

Abandoning these measures now will only set us further back in our efforts against the virus. 

SHEA is encouraging everyone to keep practicing these prevention strategies and to take the vaccine when it’s available in order to protect yourself and your community from this devastating virus.

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The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is a professional society representing more than 2,000 physicians and other healthcare professionals around the world who possess expertise and passion for healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship. The society’s work improves public health by establishing infection-prevention measures and supporting antibiotic stewardship among healthcare providers, hospitals, and health systems. This is accomplished by leading research studies, translating research into clinical practice, developing evidence-based policies, optimizing antibiotic stewardship, and advancing the field of healthcare epidemiology. SHEA and its members strive to improve patient outcomes and create a safer, healthier future for all. Visit SHEA online at shea-online.org, facebook.com/SHEApreventingHAIs and twitter.com/SHEA_Epi.

Contact: Beth Casteel | 202-868-4007