NewsUpfront

Actions

Transitioning from the pandemic to our new normal

Tips on managing anxiety as US adjusts to new normal
Posted at 6:31 PM, Feb 18, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-18 19:33:50-05

(WXYZ) — In tonight's 7 Upfront report we're taking a closer look at living in a pandemic and then transitioning to whatever our new normal is going to eventually look like.

The Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention at Henry Ford Health System Dr. Dennis Cunningham is joining us to talk about it.

You can see the full interview in the video player above.

"The health departments and the hospitals, we are ready to give vaccine as soon as we receive it," Cunningham says. "Henry Ford has already given out more than 107,000 doses and as soon as the state or federal government gives use more, we get it out very quickly."

"One mask gives a lot of protection. I've seen the CDC recommendation and there's a lot of controversy in the infection prevention community. It's not going to hurt wearing two masks, I'm happy if people are at least wearing one," he says.

"Pandemic is a new outbreak of a disease on at least two different continents. The endemic is when you start having a virus that's always around, it just isn't present in super high numbers, sort of like influenza or the common cold, we always have some of that in the background," Cunningham says. "I think we're going to have a normal, but it's going to be a new normal. I certainly think that when you go to hospitals or doctors' offices everyone is going to wear masks, you're going to see screenings when we enter buildings quite a lot. But I do hope it's going to be back to a normal condition like we used to have, where it's easier to go out to restaurants, or it's easier to do the activities that you want."