Dr. Stephanie Silvera said the big-picture goal is easing the burden inside hospitals: “We know that those individuals with pre-existing conditions, and as controversial as it may seem, smokers, are more likely to be hospitalized,” Silvera said.
Dr. Silvera said once again, the ultimate concern is the more transmissible variant’s domino effect on hospitalizations.
“When our hospitals are overburdened with hospital cases, that has an impact on non-COVID illnesses and conditions as well,” Silvera said. “People are more likely to put off being screened for cancer, having their cancer treated — it might have an impact on having access to ventilators for people with heart conditions and post-stroke.”