@article {Ordonez3605665, author = {Cosme Ordonez and Sergio Perez and Megan Carreon and Kristina Ramirez and Makenzy Osei and Alfredo Nunez and Ruben D Restrepo}, title = {COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Lessons to Be Learned}, volume = {66}, number = {Suppl 10}, elocation-id = {3605665}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Respiratory Care}, abstract = {Background: An abundance of misinformation spread during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contradictory public health policies only added to gaps in knowledge about this new virus. As a result, public attitudes towards CDC recommendations, health guidelines, and basic disease prevention techniques varied. The goal of this study was to examine public attitudes regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data about public perceptions and attitudes regarding COVID-19 from individuals 18 y old between in March of 2021. A questionnaire with 18 items evaluated perceptions about COVID-19, its vaccines, and adherence to public health and CDC guidelines. The survey was designed using Google Forms and distributed via social media platforms. Participants and their responses remained anonymous. IRB approval was obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to present data. Results: Data from 246 participants was used for analysis. Most participants were female (69.5\%), 18{\textendash}40 y old (61.8\%), Hispanic (80.9\%), had tested positive for COVID-19 (79.3\%) and knew someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 (98.8\%) or had received the vaccine (99.6\%). Most respondents trusted the vaccine (80.5\%). However, only 58.1\% had been fully vaccinated, 17.9\% received only a first dose, and 24\% had not been vaccinated at all. Of those not vaccinated yet, 16.3\% reported not planning on receiving it. Regarding public safety guidelines, most trusted masks to prevent COVID-19 transmission (89\%) wore a mask in public (94.7\%), and in most cases either a surgical mask (46.7\%) or cloth mask (43.1\%). Few wore any additional PPE such as gloves (15.4\%) or face shield (11\%). Most participants only left home for work or essential errands (48.4\%) while some left home for leisure 1 to 3 times a week (28.5\%), or even more than 3 times a week (11.4\%). No participant was in complete isolation and 11.8\% left home as much as they were used to. When visiting people (71.1\%), only half of them wore a mask (52\%), maintained a 6ft distance (42.7\%). While 71.1\% reported frequent hand washing during visits, 16.7\% were not following any of the CDC guidelines during their visits. Conclusions: This study indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the public{\textquoteright}s perceptions and attitudes toward CDC guidelines, vaccination, and general public health mandates. In the face of uncertainty, reliable literature tempered by transparency, expertise, and collaboration should be trusted when making decisions about public health safety.}, issn = {0020-1324}, URL = {https://rc.rcjournal.com/content/66/Suppl_10/3605665}, eprint = {https://rc.rcjournal.com/content}, journal = {Respiratory Care} }