As residents of Webster County continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, opinions have formed about the seriousness of the virus, the ways in which it spreads and if protective measures like masks truly make a difference.

Dr. Lincoln Wallace, of UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, took some time on Friday to answer some of The Messenger’s questions about COVID-19.

The Messenger: Why has COVID-19 had such an impact on the way we live our lives? No other virus or disease in history has caused this much controversy, while also shutting down our economy for a lengthy period of time.

Dr. Wallace: There are a couple of things that make it unique. It’s very contagious. Those that I’ve had that have been positive are often unaware of where they came in contact. Unlike some other new viruses like SARS in the past, we think there’s a significant percentage that have minimal to no symptoms and can still spread it along. And that number is up to 40 percent (asymptomatic) of people who have COVID. People are walking around with it that don’t know it and can spread it. Other illnesses, people get so sick you can identify it quickly and quarantine them before they are able to pass it along to someone else.

The Messenger: Masks? How well do they work? When should they be worn? Should schools mandate mask use?

Dr. Wallace: There is no question in my mind that masks, if worn consistently, masks decrease how much it’s passed around. Are they 100 percent effective? No. But do they decrease it, yes, that is 100 percent a fact. They factually reduce transmission.

In my opinion, yes, (schools should mandate) if kids are in close proximity, they should be wearing masks and should also have barriers in front of them. But I don’t think one is a substitute for the other.

The Messenger: How are students/children being treated for COVID?

Dr. Wallace: Most of them are doing fine. If they are positive, they need to stay home so they aren’t passing it around. I think the school’s policy is 14 days from diagnosis. In my opinion, 10 days is adequate, but 14 is fine.

If they get sick enough to require hospitalization, there’s treatment options that aren’t available in the outpatient for those well enough to be home.

The Messenger: What are some different ways COVID patients have been treated?

Dr. Wallace: Our current mainstays are steroid therapies in the hospital space, convalescent plasma, antibodies from someone who has had COVID, taken from one donor to another. Those studies are ongoing but are promising. Beyond that, it’s support of respiration either with high flow oxygen or if necessary intubation (mechanical ventilation).

The Messenger: How can we distinguish COVID from another illness as the season goes along?

Dr. Wallace: That’s a tough one because it has many crossover symptoms like the other seasonal viruses we see or the common cold. We also know from publications out there, people can have co-infections. You could be positive for the flu and COVID. If patients have symptoms consistent with COVID — in general if you have COVID-like symptoms, fever above 100.4, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms — many people are also reporting loss of taste or smell in 10 to 12 percent of cases. With any of those symptoms, you should contact your provider.

The Messenger: What tips do you have for the community as we continue this journey through the pandemic?

Dr. Wallace: Hand washing remains important as frequent as you can, especially if you’ve been out and return home. Be careful about gathering in large groups makes sense as well. Large groups of people not wearing masks, that’s where we’ve seen large outbreaks. Is it safe to go to grocery store or visit your family? Yes, I think that’s fine. Based on what I see out and about, I think we need to be more diligent about our mask-wearing and our hygiene.

The Messenger: How long could this go on?

Dr. Wallace: We are probably not likely going to see a known effective and safe vaccine until May or June of 2021. I think we will be dealing with this version, COVID-19, for the next year-and-a-half to two years in my opinion. We will need to learn to live with it and we will.