Patricia Yarberry Allen, M.D. is a Gynecologist, Director of the New York Menopause Center, Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Assistant Attending Obstetrician and Gynecologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She is a board certified fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Allen is also a member of the Faculty Advisory Board and the Women’s Health Director of The Weill Cornell Community Clinic (WCCC). Dr. Allen was the recipient of the 2014 American Medical Women’s Association Presidential Award.

Today is Day 88 since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the US on January 22nd. It is Day 30 since those New Yorkers, who were non-essential workers, were ordered to stay at home except for brief forays outdoors for necessary activities. We have 25 more days to stay at home in New York until May 15th. 

The stay at home orders exist to allow the healthcare system to recover even while the economy suffers. These directives give us time for the production of more personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to prevent further illness in those on the frontlines throughout the health care system. This time at home gives companies developing rapid tests for the virus more time to produce enough machines so we will have the ability to test, test, and retest those who return to work once we have a slow reopening of the economy. We need the time to train an army of disease detectives who will do contact tracing of those who become infected once they return to work so that the next waves of infection are smaller and more manageable. We have much to do in the next 25 days. 

Many people around the world understand that the sacrifices we make—economically, socially and emotionally—to stay home, is for the common good. We are also developing new habits that will be necessary once we move into our “new normal.” Then, we will continue to practice social distancing, wear masks, wash hands compulsively, and greet friends and colleagues in a way that is appropriate in order to decrease transmission of the coronavirus.

This past weekend, Lady Gaga and friends were models for staying at home while reaching millions of people across the world in their two-hour program, “One World Together: At Home.” All three networks, NBC, CBS, and ABC, aired this once in a lifetime event. Entertainers from across the globe spoke and performed from their homes dressed as they normally would in order to “stay at home.” They encouraged their global audience to do their part in order to slow the spread of the pandemic. Lady Gaga collaborated with Global Citizen to plan the event, which featured more than 70 celebrities and singers and was aimed at “celebrating” health care and essential workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

This performance was extraordinary in its reach and its impact. Many are anxious to leave the house and return to “normal life.” This event provided encouragement to everyone to stay at home until we reach a safe enough time to begin the experiment of reopening the economy.  

We are all in this together.

Dr. Pat