CoxHealth doctor anticipates ‘new normal’ starting in July

CoxHealth leader Dr. Robin Trotman has been on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic for a year, and now, he says the start of a "new normal" is in sight.

Trotman cited state and national health officials in predicting July would be the month that the economy can more fully rebound as immunity hits higher percentages. He spoke this morning on Springfield Business Journal's 12 People You Need to Know live interview series streamed on Facebook.

"That seems to be a pretty consistent estimate," he said. "By July, we should have enough immunity in our community ... that things should start to open up.

"We're going to have a new normal, though."

Trotman, who serves as medical director of infectious diseases for CoxHealth and on Gov. Mike Parson’s COVID-19 advisory panel, said public trust in science and health care workers is key during the vaccination phase of the pandemic. Trotman said the governor's advisory panel has met weekly on Saturdays for around a year and continues to, noting state officials have been receptive of feedback and have deployed resources when necessary.

Educational outreach is a crucial part of the process, he said, pointing to misinformation on vaccines and fertility.

"How do we engender broad trust in science and the health care system, and how do we reformulate this position of medical knowledge authority?" Trotman said, noting scientists and doctors are not perfect and need more grace and trust. "The vaccine works. We're not seeing any untoward consequences."

During the interview, SBJ Editorial Director Eric Olson noted more than 873,000 doses of vaccines have been administered in Missouri, according to state officials yesterday. At CoxHealth, coronavirus cases among staff members have dropped to around five a week from 50 due to vaccination, he said.

As herd immunity sets in, Trotman predicts society will be changed from the pandemic. He said mask wearing, for instance, could become as prevalent during cough and cold seasons as it is in Asia.

Trotman also said he foresees a society that will better look out for the well-being of individuals.

"I hope it fosters more altruism in how we behave," he said.