It's been five years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. What followed were months of lockdowns, social distancing, and fear about this fast-spreading disease. The CDC reports more than 13,000 Mississippians died from COVID-19-related illnesses, many of which doctors say were preventable.
Since the onset of the pandemic, a lot has changed in the state. Telemedicine has expanded in availability, some have raised concerns about the safety of vaccines, and doctors say COVID-19 is something we likely will deal with on a yearly basis similar to the Flu.
In a special episode of Mississippi Edition, we’re speaking with former State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs to discuss the pandemic, what it took to get through it, and the future of public health in Mississippi. He's also serves as Dean for the School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.