Letter: Doctors’ order: Wear a mask, save lives, say Baptist Health South Florida physicians

The physician leaders of Baptist Health South Florida extend our heartfelt appreciation to the citizens of South Florida for facing the threat of the novel coronavirus in March and April, staying home and paving the way for a safe recovery. Their actions prevented our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and allowed us to treat those who needed lifesaving care.

The current surge of COVID-19 infections in our community is real and we need the people of South Florida again to take action.

By wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, we, as individuals and as a community, can take control. Wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing are no different than obeying traffic signals and stopping for a pedestrian at a crosswalk. We do it for the safety of others. We do it to provide the environment that allows for people and businesses to flourish.

As a nation, we have used our intellect to defy gravity and send men to the moon. We have used our ingenuity to rebuild after hurricanes and our compassion to lift our neighbors out of homelessness. We can use these same passions to overcome the challenges of COVID-19.

Wield your power, wear a mask. Demonstrate your ingenuity and find creative ways to socialize at a distance. Show your compassion and protect the vulnerable of our community who may suffer severe illness and death if we allow the virus to spread to them.

We know that COVID-19 will not disappear on its own. Controlling this pandemic demands the unified action of each of us. We will get through this together.

Jack A. Ziffer,

executive vice president, chief clinical officer,

chief physician executive,

Mark Hauser,

president, medical

staff affairs,

Baptist Health South Florida,

Miami

on behalf of 27 other

medical professionals

This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 1:07 PM.