Eugene Curley, M.D.: Infectious disease physician
Things he has learned: “Don’t get comfortable. Change can happen at any time. When change happens, bend don’t break. You also have to be prepared for any circumstances that come your way. Our infection control and prevention team began having meetings, preparing for this, in January 2020, before there were any cases in the U.S.”
Things he misses: “My immediate family and I have been operating in the pandemic as if it’s a lockdown. I have not seen any of my friends nor my family members from Philadelphia in almost a year. I miss spending time with them face-to-face. I miss spending holidays with them, traveling with them, just going over old memories.”
Things he will never forget: “When you are looking at a patient who may be dying and you are sitting together, spending time with them and their family.”
Things he is hopeful about the vaccine: “The vaccine is very safe and effective. I applaud the pharma companies for their transparency. I applaud the FDA for their rigorous vetting process. The data is overwhelming. It is safe. I think the vaccine is the first step to ending this pandemic. It won’t be our only tool. We’ll still need to wear masks, social distance and practice good hygiene. … This vaccine represents a shot of hope.”
