S3, Ep 11- COVID at 2: How We’ve Changed

03/17/22 • 12 min

1 Listener

We’ve passed a dubious anniversary we’d all rather forget. This month marks two years since COVID forced the world into a pandemic. In this episode, we look back at how life changed, and what changes may become permanent.

“Folks are really struggling with mental health issues two years in the pandemic,” says Zoe Rothblatt, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at the Global Healthy Living Foundation. “Even more so for our community with underlying conditions.”

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:21: Listener comment

2:08: COVID down in the U.S., up in China

3:16: Marking two years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic

3:40: What we’ve learned in the two years of COVID

3:48: COVID fueled a growth in telehealth

5:34: Telehealth made it easier to advocate to elected officials

6:03: COVID reveals racial disparities in health care

7:10: COVID led to a new vocabulary, from the “bubble” to “Zoom fatigue”

8:15: COVID brought a rise in outdoor dining

9:04: COVID led to the adoption of wearing masks

9:35: Three COVID vaccines manufactured in one year

9:45: Antiviral therapy created to protect against COVID

10:04: COVID created a dramatic increase in mental health issues

10:20: “It really does feel like people are moving on and don't care,” says Zoe. “And I want to move on and not to care too. But when you're immunocompromised, you really just don't have that luxury.”

10:42: Some formed stronger bonds during COVID, with people and pets

11:22: What did our co-hosts Steven and Zoe learn from this episode?

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: [email protected]

Zoe Rothblatt, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: [email protected]

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to [email protected]

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:21: Listener comment

2:08: COVID down in the U.S., up in China

3:16: Marking two years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic

3:40: What we’ve learned in the two years of COVID

3:48: COVID fueled a growth in telehealth

5:34: Telehealth made it easier to advocate to elected officials

6:03: COVID reveals racial disparities in health care

7:10: COVID led to a new vocabulary, from the “bubble” to “Zoom fatigue”

8:15: COVID brought a rise in outdoor dining

9:04: COVID led to the adoption of wearing masks

9:35: Three COVID vaccines manufactured in one year

9:45: Antiviral therapy created to protect against COVID

10:04: COVID created a dramatic increase in mental health issues

10:42: Some formed stronger bonds during COVID, with people and pets

11:22: What did our co-hosts Steven and Zoe learn from this episode?

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: [email protected]

Zoe Rothblatt, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: [email protected]

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to [email protected]

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previous Episode

S3, Ep 10- The Power of Virtual Advocacy

One of the best ways to improve health care in the United States is to educate lawmakers. And these days, conversations are made easy through Zoom. Recently, health advocates from the GHLF participated virtually in the Digestive Disease National Coalition's Public Policy Forum. Their aim was to encourage the passing of the Safe Step Act, which would protect patients from insurance companies overriding doctor's recommended therapies, and direct money to digestive disease research.

“Virtual advocacy has given us the ability to reach legislators in a way in which we previously weren't able to,” says Corey Greenblatt, Manager of Policy and Advocacy at the Global Healthy Living Foundation.

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:13: Listener comment

1:53: Hawaii last state to drop mask mandate

2:36: More government-issued free COVID at-home tests available

3:11: "Test to Treat Initiative"- COVID test and treatment

4:05: Describing the Digestive Disease National Coalition's Public Policy Forum

4:35: Health advocates meet with state delegates to educate lawmakers

5:35: The power of patient stories on lawmakers

6:53: Advocating for step therapy- why it’s a huge issue for patients

7:26: The Safe Step Act would establish common-sense protocols and protections for patients

7:59: Cameo appearance from Corey’s dog Walker

8:16: Analogy of upgrading your cellphone

8:54- Corey describes his and Zoe’s meeting with a Long Island lawmaker

11:28: Steven and Corey confident the Safe Step Act will become law

12:49: Advocating for increased funding for digestive disease research and public health programs

13:53: The power of virtual advocacy through Zoom

15:36: What did our co-hosts Steven and Zoe learn from this episode?

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: [email protected]

Zoe Rothblatt, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: [email protected]

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to [email protected]

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Episode

S3, Ep 12- COVID Subvariant: Stay Vigilant My Friends

1 Recommendations

The new Omicron subvariant BA.2 hasn’t stopped the majority of people from lowering their guard against the virus. Cities are opening, businesses are returning their workers, and even New York City unvaccinated athletes and performers are allowed back.

“I'm trying to stay calm and I'm really grateful for these at-home tests because I had a COVID exposure last week,” says Zoe Rothblatt, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at the Global Healthy Living Foundation. “I was able to keep testing and I just felt so reassured to have the test on hand and not freak out like I did in Omicron.”

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:25: Listener comment

2:06: Special enrollment opens to sign up for Obamacare

2:50: COVID-19 Patient Support Program Quick Poll: over 90% plan to wear masks in indoor spaces

3:30: Steven receives new duckbill N95 masks

4:35: New Omicron subvariant BA.2 is impacting people’s mental health

5:16: Viruses appearing in wastewater more than in PCR tests

5:50: Congress fails to approve more COVID funding

7:27: “I'm personally just too worried that too many Americans love the phrase, "I'm over COVID. I'm over COVID. It's done," fears Steven

8:28: “Hopefully we won't see a surge,” says Dr. Anthony Fauci

9:06: Researchers say vaccines remain effective at preventing hospitalizations for BA.2

9:45: “I'm trying to stay calm,” says Zoe

12:06: What did our co-hosts Steven and Zoe learn from this episode?

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: [email protected]

Zoe Rothblatt, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: [email protected]

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to [email protected]

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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