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"Elective procedures these days are things like preventive screenings, which are really important things," Shah said. "Or a hip replacement for somebody who has been grappling with longstanding arthritis. And in many of these instances, when that care is delayed, it can often be denied outright because after time goes on so far the condition can become so much more exacerbated as to make even the surgical procedure not something that's curative. So what that says about the pandemic is we're entering or are in a deeply concerning phase right now. The delta variant is particular is giving us all a run for our money."
This is why, Shah said, unvaccinated people who say, "Well, I haven't been vaccinated, but that's my business and not your business. And my decision not to get vaccinated, well, that doesn't harm you. That doesn't affect you in any way. It's my choice and it doesn't impact you at all." Shah said that's not true because Maine hospitals are "filled with people who are being treated for COVID who are not vaccinated." *
* Excerpt from the article
