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From masking to testing, Idaho doctors answer your questions about omicron

FILE - Registered nurse Jessalynn Dest pulls on a new N95 mask as indentations remain from another she had just removed after leaving a COVID-19 patient room in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center, Jan. 14, 2022, in Seattle. The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings. The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government's Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Elaine Thompson
/
AP
FILE - Registered nurse Jessalynn Dest pulls on a new N95 mask as indentations remain from another she had just removed after leaving a COVID-19 patient room in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center, Jan. 14, 2022, in Seattle. The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings. The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government's Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Idaho state health officials continue to warn we are the precipice of crisis standards of care as COVID-19 patients begin to once again fill hospital beds. That could make it harder for some patients to get the care they need.

So how can you protect you and your community from the omicron variant? Idaho Matters poses your questions to medical professionals so you can have the best, most accurate information about this phase of the pandemic.

Our guests today:

  • Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Luke's Health System and a member of the Idaho coronavirus task force
  • Dr. Michael Born, Chief Medical Officer at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise
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As Senior Producer of our live daily talk show Idaho Matters, I’m able to indulge my love of storytelling and share all kinds of information (I was probably a Town Crier in a past life!). My career has allowed me to learn something new everyday and to share that knowledge with all my friends on the radio.
Hi! I’m Gemma Gaudette, the host of the award-winning show, Idaho Matters. During the day you’ll find me researching and writing about all the fascinating topics we tackle on our show. And of course, at noon, each weekday you’ll find me live behind the microphone as Idaho Matters airs.

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