Dr. Malcolm Butler Says the Peak of COVID is Not the End of the Pandemic

The Puget Sound area was expected to pass the peak of their COVID-19 cases by some models from the University of Washington.

Chief Medical Officer at Columbia Valley Community Health Dr. Malcolm Butler says we're a couple of weeks behind them, but that's not the end.

"When we do hit the peak in a week or two, we have to remember that when you get to the peak of a climb, you're actually only halfway home. We've still got a long way to go and it doesn't mean that we can relax."

Dr. Butler says the good news is that the restrictions we are living with are working.

That can be very frustrating or disheartening Dr. Butler acknowledges, but he recommends just focusing on that day.

"When we wake up in the morning, we just go to think about making it through the evening. We have to appreciate how beautiful things are right now. Don't think about tomorrow until tomorrow. We've got a ways to go yet and we have to stay home and stay safe. So right now we really need to practice being patient."

Dr. Butler also reminds everyone to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, practice social distancing in public and only travel for the essentials among the other recommended behaviors.