A.R.I.S.E. Magazine

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Transitioning smoothly from UTIs and DNA sequencing into the sudden and overwhelming necessity for Covid-19 testing, Priority Labs rapidly repositioned its capabilities to handle accurate testing results of up to 2K samples per day, with a reliable 24-hour turnaround time. One invaluable key at the time was the lab’s acquisition and use of ThermoFisher’s vital ORF testing equipment in March of 2020, in line with the CDC’s own simultaneous use of this vital technological resource. Always keeping his beloved grandparents in mind, Dr. Willis further explained his lab’s commitment to professional accuracy with his own unique and very human touch- “When I consider the accuracy of results my lab produces, I always first think of my grandma as the one receiving our results.” And Dr. Willis remains one of our most approachable and clearheaded healthcare advocates and instructors. When asked to best describe the most current need for community testing, vaccination and healthcare vigilance in the face of Covid’s latest variation, Dr. Willis shared this simple but crystal-clear guidance- “With a typical flu season vaccination, there is an actual small introduction of that virus included in the vaccine. But I want my community to think of the Covid vaccine and its boosters not as this type of introduction. Because it’s more of an ‘email’ to their body’s ‘spam folder’ which merely uses messenger RNA to simply ‘signal’ the body to any actual future introduction of this virus fromoutside. This is the key difference between the Covid vaccination and typical flu season shots.” Further simple, clear and effective direction includes- • Be Proactive, Not Reactive (don’t wait to get sick) • Get Tested • Get Vaccinated/Boosted • Knowledge is Power Although many now reasonably hope we’re seeing the light at the end of our long pandemic tunnel, Dr. Willis sees our future soberly if optimistically. He expects that we may all suffer some degree of ongoing PTSD-like symptoms after our long and stressful healthcare nightmare but that we’ll most likely be able to effectively deal with any and all future Covid variations much more in line with an average flu season run. And with men like Dr. Willis leading the way, we can all feel reassured that our refreshed path will lead us to a much brighter light.

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