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Perhaps, Wednesday’s “The Female Factor” was a preview of the new normal via COVID-19.

For the first time, the monthly gathering of women was broadcast live from the Troy Cable TV Station.

Hostesses Dianna Lee and Karen Herring expressed their hopes for the Female Factor to gather back at The Studio soon. Meanwhile, social distancing is better than not being together at all, they said.

But, with the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to rise across Alabama and in Pike County, Lee said it was important to offer good, sound advice about the coronavirus pandemic to the scores of women who “factor in” at the monthly meetings of Female Factor.

On the panel for Female Factor Live were Amy Minor, Troy Regional Medical Center chief clinical officer; Eric Law, M.D. Family Practice and Amanda Royal, TRMC Wound Care director.

Minor said TRMC has conducted 917 COVID tests with 130 tested positive. Fifty-three percent of those tested were men. The largest group has been the 20- to 30-year-olds. The older population has been the smallest group tested.

With the number of COVID-19 cases picking up, Law said he is not sure the virus is going away. He offered little encouragement that the hot summer weather in the South would minimize COVID-19.

“The virus spreads quickly so the heat should have little effect,” he said. “COVID-19 is complicated and dictates a new way  of doing things. It’s seemingly overwhelming, but we can get there.”

Law and Minor encouraged anyone with fever, cough or difficulty breathing to be tested and TRMC provides that service.

The labs are overwhelmed right now but most lab results can be back and available in 72 hours.

Law said it is not alarming that the number of positive cases are being reported.

The more testing that is done, the more positive results are being logged because COVID-19 is an active infection, he said. “Masks will help eliminate the spread of the virus but those who are at high risk should stay home as much as possible.”

Law and Minor recommended social distancing, hand washing — “soap and water work” —the changing and washing of clothing after being out, coughing into your elbow, absolutely no hand shaking and “what about wiping down groceries?

Law said it is not impossible for the COVID-19 virus to be transmitted that  way but whether to wipe or not is a personal choice.

Because Pike County adjoins Montgomery County, which is considered a COVID-19 hot spot, there is reason to be more proactive when it comes to the virus. It’s not time to be complacent. “Be smart; be safe and the safest place is at home.”

Royal brought the virtual audience  up to date on TRMC ’s new Wound Care service.

Royal said it is not unusual for wounds not to  heal. And, when that happens in the Troy/Pike County area, the patients had to travel to Dothan or Montgomery as often as once a week for treatment. Now, TRMC offers that service here at home.

“Acute wounds can be the result of anything from burns to dog bites,” she said. “Wounds that are not healing after two weeks to 30 days should be evaluated to determine why they are not healing and then begin the healing process,” Royal said. At the TRMC Wound Care Center ‘we treat the whole patient; not just the hole in the patient.’”

The Wound Care Center is located on the TRMC campus “across from the helicopter.”

Lee and Herring expressed appreciation to those on the panel and to Troy Cable for making the telecast Female Factor available to the public and especially to the women who support The Female Factor each month.