Experienced Doctor: We May Never Be the Same After COVID-19—And That’s OK

Amid this pandemic, we should not fear or panic, but instead recognize that higher forces than we could imagine are in play, and our God-given resources are working toward victory. Humans have a history of overcoming, surviving and solving complex medical challenges. As a now-retired family physician of nearly four decades, I have seen my share of medical crises throughout my career. That’s why I have faith that COVID-19 is yet another obstacle the community will conquer.

During these difficult days when everything is constantly changing, it can be grounding and encouraging to reflect on accomplishments seen throughout the history of medicine. Thanks to the development of vaccines, diseases such as smallpox (now an eradicated disease), polio, diphtheria, tetanus, flu, and a host of other bacterial and viral infections can now be controlled through effective medical response. The pharmaceutical community managed to develop effective responses to the horrors of HIV/AIDS by producing medications that allow those with that diagnosis to live healthy lives with undetectable viral loads if they complied with the directed regimen.

Needless to say, COVID-19 is very frustrating for medical professionals. We don’t know its origin, but we know with the resources we have that we will fight with our usual tenacity and resolve. COVID-19 will go the way of Bird flu, SARS, Legionnaires’ disease and so on. Our resources in science and technology enable us to conduct studies and train experts in the medical field whose advice, if adhered to, can save lives and prevent the spread of this dreadful virus.

COVID-19 could be our big victory. But we will never be the same, and that’s OK.

Each time a tragedy rocks the world, we adapt. After 9/11, traveling and airport security were forever shifted, and I suspect that similar changes are coming for the medical community as they grapple to control the virus. As history reminds us, we have overcome much, and with collective cooperation from the community, COVID-19 can be beaten.

“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you'” (Isa. 41:13). {eoa}

Dr. Haywood Robinson is a former abortionist turned pro-life advocate. He is the director of medical affairs and education for 40 Days for Life.