HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A year ago today, March 13, Alabama reported its first coronavirus case and President Trump declared a national state of emergency as we all began to realize just how serious this new virus would be.
Health care workers were especially worried as the pandemic began and were caught in a situation many never thought they would never be in.
"It's a lot of mixed emotion because I still remember how difficult [it was] being in the hospital, managing patients, patients dying and you don't have control of what to do because there's no treatment in the beginning available," said Dr. Ali Hassoun, an infectious disease specialist at Huntsville Hospital.
Science and technology thrived.
"The good outcome out of this is how much science can contribute and can contribute quickly to management, especially the vaccine," said Hassoun.
But with the positive, of course, comes some negative.
"So, even though there was good research and good information coming up, people did not believe it, and that was a major frustration and challenge to deal with," said Hassoun.
Other major struggles include the public health system being unprepared for testing, having enough personal protective gear and the unknowns of treatment.
A lot has changed in a year and things are starting to look up when to comes to the pandemic and although it seems the end is near, it's not over just yet.
"We are cautiously optimistic because we're still seeing activity of the virus, there is still spread, there are still patients getting admitted. We're like waiting to get across the finish line but it's not gonna be in a week or month, I think it's gonna take several months but we need the help of the whole community," said Hassoun.
Hassoun says you can help by masking up and keeping a safe distance, and of course, getting vaccinated.