I was surprised to learn from a recent press release that the American College of Cardiology is planning to have some live participants at its annual scientific sessions meeting in May. The college said it is also partnering with a technology company to offer these participants a wearable monitoring device “as an added safety measure for monitoring possible COVID-19 symptoms.”
In my view both decisions are mistaken and send messages that are the exact opposite of what responsible medical and scientific organizations should be promulgating during the pandemic.
It is of course completely understandable that the ACC is eager to resume normal activities, including live meetings. But it’s also true that we are still in the grip of a still growing, still uncontrolled pandemic, and these moves by the ACC contradict the essential public health message that the ACC should fully support.