172 - COVID-19, the Flu, and Johns Hopkins Hospital with Infection Prevention Director Dr. Lisa Maragakis

Six months ago, Dr. Lisa Maragakis was one of the podcast's very first guests and she talked about how Johns Hopkins was preparing for an influx of COVID-19 patients. Things have calmed down a bit since then, but cases have plateaued at a concerning level at the same time we're entering respiratory virus season. Dr. Maragakis talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about ongoing challenges in the hospital with having to conserve PPE and testing, pandemic fatigue, and the importance of getting a flu shot. They also discuss the possibility that vigilant social distancing, masks, and widespread vaccination and masks could help curb flu infections this year, reducing the risks of coinfection and diagnostic complications. KEYWORDS: co-infection; testing methods; pandemic response