THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MARYLAND RELAY, EMPOWERING THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING OR SPEECH DISABLED TO STAY CONNECTED BY PHONE.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

STARTING NEXT MON STAY ON PBS A NEW KEN BYRNES SERIES ON CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN AMERICA.

JOINING US TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN BALTIMORE IS THE CITY'S COMMISSIONER RICHARD WORLEY.

SIR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, YOU'VE BEEN ON THE PROGRAM BEFORE YOU'VE BEEN THE CHIEF FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS, THREE DECADES ON THE FORCE, THOUGH?

>> YES, ALMOST THREE DECADES I'M IN MY 29TH YEAR.

I WILL FINISH 2 NYNEX YEAR.

AND I'VE BEEN IN BALTIMORE THE WHOLE TIME.

I STARTED LATER THAN MOST PEOPLE START THEIR CAREERS BUT IT WAS A GOOD CHOICE FOR ME AND I'M EXTREMELY HAPPY AND I HAVE MORE THAN THREE YEARS AS THE COMMISSIONER AND THINGS ARE GOING PRETTY WELL.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN YOUR 20s?

>> I PLAYED BROIB FOR A SHORT BASEBALL FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND I WAS TRYING TO HOOK UP WITH ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL TEAM AND I STARTED DOING SALES IN A FAMILY BUSINESS A FLOORING BUSINESS.

AND HONESTLY I WAS MAKING TOO MUCH MONEY IN SALES TO CHANGE CAREERS.

AND THEN AT THE AGE OF 34 I DECIDED TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER.

>> Jeff: WE SHOULD TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE VACANCIES ON THE FORCE?

>> YES.

YES.

WE HAVE ABOUT 400 VACANCIES RIGHT NOW IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> Jeff: YOU SAID THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING WELL AND I NOTICED THE HOMICIDE NUMBERS FOR 2026 JUST RECENTLY CROSSED 100.

I MEAN THAT USED TO HAPPEN BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY.

WHAT ARE THE BROADER TRENDS THAT YOU ARE SEEING?

>> YES.

WE'RE EXPERIENCING HISTORICAL LOWS LAST YEAR OUR LOWEST RATE HAD BEEN 171 HOMICIDES IN 1977.

AND WE ENDED UP LAST YEAR WITH 133.

THE TODAYAL IS 136 BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS DURING THIS YEAR WE'VE HAD A FEW PEOPLE THAT PASSED WAY FROM INJURIES FROM SHOOTINGS FROM LAST YEAR.

SO THEY GET ADDED BACK TO 2025.

BUT THIS YEAR WE'RE AT 102 COMPARED TO 114 THIS TIME LAST YEAR WHICH IS ALMOST AN 11% REDUCTION.

MY GOAL WAS TO BE AT 100.

WE MADE THAT BUT THAT'S STILL BETTER THAN THE GREATEST YEAR WE'VE HAD AND I'M HOPING NEXT YEAR WE CAN BE UNDER 100.

>> Jeff: WHAT DID IT TAKE TO GET FROM 300 TO 100 AND SOMETHING AND WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO KNOCK ON WOOD SOME DAY GET IT INTO DOUBLE-DIGITS?

>> TEAMWORK.

THE GROUP VIOLENCE REDUCTION STRATEGY THE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE MAYOR THE STATE'S ATTORNEY AND THE POLICE CHIEF FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY CAREER THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WE'VE TRIED THIS BUT IT'S THE ONLY TIME THAT WE'VE HAD ALL THREE WORKING WELL TOGETHER.

AND ALL WORKING FOR THE COMMON GOAL OF MAKING BALTIMORE SAFE.

>> Jeff: LET ME REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CHIEF YOU CAN E-MAIL US NOW THE ADDRESS WILL BE ON THE SCREEN.

THE ONE AREA, SIR, WHERE THE TREND FEELS LIKE IT'S MAYBE GONE THE OTHER DIRECTION IS JUVENILE CRIME.

WE'VE HAD SERIOUS STOLEN VEHICLE AND CARJACKING CASES LEADING TO FATALITIES.

THE SUSPECTS AS YOUNG AS 12 YEARS OLD.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE?

>> UNFORTUNATELY THE JUVENILE SYSTEM IS BROKEN.

AND IT JUST NEEDINGS A COMPLETE OVERHAUL AND THIS ISN'T ANYTHING NEW.

THE JUVENILE SYSTEM HAS BEEN BROKEN MY WHOLE CAREER PRETTY MUCH.

IT'S GOTTEN WORSE AS YOU START TO SEE THE YOUNGER CRIMINALS DOING THINGS.

BUT WE'VE HAD A 12-YEAR-OLD WHO WAS DRIVING A STOLEN CAR KILLED A GENTLEMAN ON A MOTORCYCLE.

WE'VE HAD SOME TEENAGERS WHO BASICALLY CARJACKED A VEHICLE AND HIT A PEDESTRIAN AND KILLED HIM.

WE HAD 16 PEOPLE INJURED WHEN JUVENILES IN A STOLEN CAR HIT A BUS.

AND WE CONTINUE TO ARREST THE SAME INDIVIDUALS WHO CONTINUALLY GET OUT AND IT'S JUST NOT WORKING.

THERE NEEDS TO BE AN OVERHAUL OF THE SYSTEM.

AND I THINK WE ARE HEADED THAT DIRECTION BUT IT DIDN'T GET BROKEN OVERNIGHT AND IT'S NOT GOING TO GET FIXED OVERNIGHT.

EVEN THOUGH WE TALK ABOUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING BAD THINGS THERE'S 60,000 KIDS BETWEEN 10-19 IN BALTIMORE WITH THE MAJORITY OF THEM DOING THE RIGHT THING EVERYDAY.

WE JUST SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THE ONES WHO AREN'T.

>> Jeff: BECAUSE IT BECOMES VERY, VERY SERIOUS QUICKLY.

THERE IS A NEW STATE LAW.

THERE WAS A LOT OF CONSIDERATION IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE LAW IS NOW TAKEN EFFECT IT WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF SENDING FEWER JUVENILE CASES TO ADULT COURT.

I KNOW THE STATE'S PROSECUTORS AS A GROUP OPPOSED THAT.

HOW DOES IT LOOK FROM POLICE HEADQUARTERS?

>> I'M WITH THE PROSECUTORS.

YOU'RE GIVING MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ASYSTEM ALREADY BROKEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE CARRYING WEAPONS TO ASSIST THEM THAT CAN'T HANDLE WHAT IT ALREADY HAS I AGREE WITH THE PROSECUTORS WE HAVE TO GET A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT DEALS WITH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND IT'S NOT ABOUT PUTTING THEM IN JAIL BUT GETTING THEM THE SERVICES SO THEY CAN GET OUT OF A LIFE OF CRIME AND HAVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE AND CAREER.

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT GOING TO JAIL.

THERE'S SOME YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO GO TO JAIL BECAUSE THEY DO NOT LISTEN.

IF THEY CONTINUALLY DO THE SAME THING NOTHING THEY ARE GETTING DONE TO THEM IS DETERRING THEM FROM THE BAD BEHAVIOR.

AND THAT'S WHAT HAS TO STOP.

>> Jeff: I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF THIS, BUT THE CITY IS LAUNCHING OR IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A NEW AGENCY THAT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO SOME 911 CALLS FOR SERVICE, I THINK THE IDEA IS TO SEND PEOPLE TRAINED IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE'S NO WEAPON AND MAYBE THE THOUGHT THAT SENDING A POLICE CAR AND POLICE CARS, UNIFORMED OFFICERS MIGHT INFLAME THE SITUATION.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE YOU ARE ALL INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING?

>> YEAH.

WE WERE -- WE WEREN'T INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING BUT I KNEW IT WAS COMING QUITE HONESTLY WE'VE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS THAT THE POLICE ARE NOT THE CORRECT PEOPLE TO RESPOND TO THESE BEHAVIORAL CRISISES.

BUT WE ARE BATESSICLY WE ARE THE DEFAULT.

WE HAVE TO GO.

ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A WEAPON.

BUT IF I'M ALL FOR SENDING CLINICIANS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WHOEVER IT IS THAT NEEDS TO GO TO THE CASES TO HELP THESE YOUNG MACHINE AND WOMEN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING BEHAVIORAL CRISIS.

IT IS NOT REALLY INCARCERATION THAT THEY NEED.

THEY NEED TREATMENT.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE THE ONES WHO ALWAYS HAVE TO GO IN THIS NEW AGENCY MAY HELP DIVERT SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

BECAUSE WHEN WE SHOW UP WE ARE IN UNIFORM AND HAVE WEAPONS AND WE'RE TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT SO WE HAVE TO DEESCALATE THE SITUATION.

I CAN TELL YOU WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND RESOURCES IN TRAINING OUR OFFICERS IN DEESCALATION.

AND YOU HEAR ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MAYBE THAT GO BAD.

YOU DON'T HEAR ABOUT THE THOUSANDS OF INTERACTIONS THAT OUR POLICE OFFICERS DO EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT DON'T GO BAD THAT GO WELL BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAINED AND THEY DEESCALATE AND GET THE PEOPLE THE SERVICES THE MORE HELP THE MORE WE CAN GET THOSE SUFFERING FROM BEHAVIORAL CRISIS BECAUSE IF ONE ENDS BADLY THAT IS ONE TOO MANY.

>> Jeff: VIEWER E-MAIL FROM MARY WHO SAYS THANK YOU FOR STICKING IN YOUR LEADERSHIP POSITION AT BPD.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE PEOPLE PATROLLING DOWNTOWN IN PURPLE SHIRTS?

DO THEY REALLY PREVENTED CRIMES?

AND ALSO THIS IS THE SAME TERRITORY BUT DO YOU THINK THE PLAN TO ADD CITIZENS FOR MENTAL HEALTH WILL TAKE A BURDEN OFF YOUR PLAY?

PRIMARILY ON DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP HIRES PEOPLE AND THEY ARE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF SOME KIND?

>> THEY DO HELP THEY ARE A PARTNER OF OURS.

THEY HIRE INDIVIDUALS LIKE AMBASSADORS TO HELP PEOPLE GET AROUND AND NAVIGATE THE CITY AND THEY DO HELP IF THERE IS CRIME ISSUES THEY CAN ASK FOR DIRECTIONS THEY ALSO REPORT THINGS.

IF THEY SEE THINGS GOING BADLY OR SEE THINGS WHERE THEY NEED A COP THEY CAN CALL THAT IN AND WE CAN RESPOND THE MORE EYES AND EARS THE BETTER.

THEY DO A GOOD JOB WITH THEIR ROLE IN THE CITY.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE FEDERAL COURT CONSENT DECREE?

THAT AT SOME POINT, GOES AWAY, RIGHT?

>> HOPEFULLY, YES.

MY GOAL WHEN I BECAME THE COMMISSIONER WAS WHEN I LEAVE OR MY CONTRACT EXPIRES IN 2028 I HOPE TO TURN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OVER IF I DECIDE TO LEAVE.

I HOPE TO TURN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OVER TO THE NEXT COMMISSIONER WITHOUT THE OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE NOT GOING TO CONTINUE THE TRAINING AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE GOT US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY WHICH IS A MUCH BETTER POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BUT THE CONSENT DECREE IS GOING VERY WELL.

YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF THINGS COME INTO COMPLIANCE AND FALL OFF WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.

SOME OF THE STRUGGLES THAT WE HAVE ARE THE TWO MAIN AREAS WHERE WE ARE STRUGGLING STILL IS STAFFING AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

BUT I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS PART WILL GET THAT UNDER CONTROL AND BE ABLE TO SATISFY THAT.

THE STAFFING IS I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO HIRE 400 MORE POLICE BUT I THINK WE CAN GET TO THE POINT WHEREBY THE END OF 2028 FEDERAL OVERSIGHT WILL BE GONE BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE GO BACK TO THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE.

WE'VE TRAINED.

WE'RE A BETTER DEPARTMENT THAN WHEN THE CONSENT DECREE STARTED IT'S BEEN INVALUABLE WITH THE JUDGES AND THE MONITORS AND OUR FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE DRUG TRADE?

I KNOW THERE WERE A COUPLE OF WELL PUBLICIZED MASS OVERDOSE CASES WITH SOME DIFFERENT DRUGS BEING MIXED IN NOT WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING IN TERMS OF WHAT IS ON THE STREET AND THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE THAT COMES OUT OF THE DRUG TRADE WHICH WAS ALWAYS THOUGHT TO BE MAYBE BETTER THAN HALF OF THE HOMICIDES?

>> I THINK THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HAS DONE AN EXTREMELY GOOD JOB SINCE WE'VE HAD THE MASS OVERDOSES WITH GETTING THE NARCAN OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES.

WE WORK WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE DRUG MANUFACTURERS THEY WON A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS ALL BEING PUT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY TO GET THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ADDICTED TO DRUGS, CLEAN.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THE WAY YOU ELIMINATE A DRUG PROBLEM IS YOU TAKE AWAY THE DEMAND.

THE MORE PEOPLE WHO GET OFF OF DRUGS AND WHO BECOME FORMER DRUG USERS THEN THAT'S LESS DEMAND ON THE -- THERE WON'T BE AS MUCH SUPPLY.

ON THE OTHER END WE ARE TAKING OUT THE DRUG ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE SELLING THROUGH OUR GROUP VIOLENCE REDUCTION STRATEGY ANYBODY WHO IS SELLING AND CONNECTED TO VIOLENCE WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO TAKE YOU AND ALL YOUR COCONSPIRATORS OFF THE STREET AND PUT YOU AWAY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

>> Jeff: HOLIDAY SEASON NOT FAR AWAY PEOPLE ARE WATCHING US FROM AROUND THE STATE AND THE REGION FOR PEOPLE THINKING OF VISITING BALTIMORE THE ICE RINK, THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE, YOUR ADVICE ON DOING SO SAFELY?

>> YES, COME INTO THE CITY.

VISIT WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU WANT TO DO HERE.

THE DOWNTOWN AREA IS GOING TO BE WELL POLICED.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RESOURCES OUT.

THE HOLIDAY SEASON DOES REQUIRE MORE RESOURCES AND WE WILL BE USING MORE RESOURCES.

BUT OUR MEN AND WOMEN ARE THERE TO HELP SEE AN OFFICER IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE FLAG HIM DOWN AND THE CITY IS SAFER THAN IT'S BEEN SINCE THE 60s AT LEAST.

I KNOW YOU HEAR ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS ON THE NEWS BUT I'M NOT SAYING THERE IS NO CRIME THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A CITY WITHOUT CRIME.

BUT WE HAVE LESS CARJACKINGS THEY ARE DOWN 36%.

HOMICIDES ARE DOWN BY 10%.

ALL OF OUR ROBBERIES ARE DOWN 12%.

SO A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE CITY.

>> Jeff: THAT IS A GOOD PLACE TO LEAVE IT, COMMISSIONER RICHARD WORLEY SIR WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

[*] >> Jeff: WINTER IS ON WAY AND COLD AND FLU SEASON, WHAT SHOULD WE START THINKING ABOUT NOW?

>> THANKS, JEFF.

THIS IS THE TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU ARE GOING TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY YOUR CHILDREN AGAINST ALL OF THE WINTERTIME ILLNESSES THAT WE SEE ESPECIALLY THE RESPIRATORY VIRUSES.

SO WE DO HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST RESPIRATORY VIRUS, AGAINST DPLUNS SA, AGAINST COVID-19.

SO MAKING SURE THAT YOU GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER WITH YOUR CHILDREN'S DOCTORS, THE PEDIATRICIANS TO SEE IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE VACCINES.

IT WILL BE IMPORTANT NOW IS THE TIME TO START LINING THOSE THINGS UP.

>> Jeff: TELL ME MORE ABOUT RSV.

I MEAN, PEOPLE HAVE HEARD, OF COURSE, OF COVID AND THE FLU, GENERAL PUBLIC MAYBE THINK OF RSV AS THE NEW ONE THAT'S MAYBE LESS IMPORTANT BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE PEDIATRIC SETTING OR THE GERIATRIC SETTING IT'S SIGNIFICANT?

>> DEFINITELY NOT LESS IMPORTANT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS AS MUCH IN THE PAST BUT NOT LESS IMPORTANT.

BEING A PEDIATRICIAN WE'RE USED TO DEALING WITHSTANDS FOR RESPIRATORY SENSATIONAL VIRUS RSV EVERY WINTERTIME.

IT IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF HOSPITALIZATION IN CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF ONE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE A WAY TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH IMMUNIZATION OR VACCINE FOR DECADES.

AND FINALLY THREE YEARS AGO, THOSE DISCOVERIES CAME THROUGH AND WERE LICENSED.

SO WE NOW HAVE A PRODUCT THAT CAN BE GIVEN TO NEWBORNS OR BABIES JUST ABOUT TO ENTER THE RSV SEASON MEANING THE FALL AND THE WINTER.

THAT IS OVER 90% PROTECTIVE AGAINST THAT HOSPITALIZATION.

AND WE HAVE VACCINES NOW FOR OLDER PEOPLE EITHER THOSE AS YOU SAID, WHO ARE ON THE OTHER END OF THE AGE SPECTRUM WHO BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE THEY ARE AT RISK.

OR FOR THE YOUNGER ADULTS WHO HAVE UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHERE RSV PUTTING THEM IN THE HOSPITAL OR MAKES THEM SICK.

LOTS OF EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS AND GREAT PROTECTION AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE BY USING THEM.

>> Jeff: SOMEBODY WATCHING ISN'T ON EITHER OF THE EDGES OF THE AGE SPECTRUM IS IT STILL SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT?

AND PART TWO OF THAT, ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT?

>> MOST PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE SO IF YOU'RE OLDER THAN A YEAR OR TWO OLD, AND YOUNGER THAN IN YOUR 60s OR 70s, YOU WILL GET RSV MULTIPLE WINTERS IN YOUR LIFE.

AND FOR MANY PEOPLE IT'S ALMOST EVERY WINTER BUT IT CAUSES FOR MOST PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS, IT CAUSES A COLD.

AND SO THAT'S WHY FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE AGES IF THEY DON'T HAVE UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, IT'S NOT RECOMMENDED THAT THEY GET THE VACCINE.

IT'S NOT NECESSARY REALLY.

IN TERMS OF SIDE EFFECTS FOR THE BABIES THAT WE'RE GIVING THIS IMMUNIZATION TO, THEY TOLERATE IT QUITE WELL.

IT'S WHAT WE CALL A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY WHICH IS A THE WAY A VACCINE WORKS IS WE GIVE A PART OF A GERM TO YOUR BODY AND THEN WE ASK YOUR BODY'S IMMUNE SYSTEM TO MAKE THE PROTECTIVE ANTIBODIES.

WHAT THIS IMMUNIZATION IS, IT'S PREFORMED PROTECTIVE ANTIBODIES IT DOESN'T TAKE ANY YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM DOESN'T HAVE TO DO ANY WORK AND IT COVERS BABIES FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON.

THEY TOLERATE IT WELL OTHER THAN THE PAIN OF THE INJECTION FEW SIDE EFFECTS WITH IT.

>> Jeff: LIKE OLDER FOLKS IT'S LIKE A FLU SHOT AND YOU NEED TO GET IT EVERY YEAR?

>> OLDER FOLKS IT IS SIMILAR TO A FLU SHOT BUT IT'S NOT GIVEN TO THEM EVERY YEAR.

ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED THEY ARE COVERED AND MAYBE IN THE FUTURE THAT WILL HAVE MULTIPLE SEASONAL VACCINES FOR RSV BUT FOR NOW FOR OLDER PEOPLE THEY GET THE SINGLE SHOT AND POTENTIALLY IN THE FUTURE WE'LL HAVE MULTIPLE SHOTS.

FOR NOW, COVID YOU NEED EVERY YEAR AND FLU YOU NEED EVERY YEAR BUT RSV JUST ONCE.

>> Jeff: HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT OTHER WAYS OF REDUCING RISK?

LIKE OTHER THAN JUST LIKE STAYING HOME, NEVER SHAKING HANDS WITH ANYBODY, WEARING A MASK 24/7 WHAT ARE REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS AND MAYBE THINK ABOUT IT IN THE PEDIATRIC SENSE?

>> I THINK WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REAL SIZE THAT THE MAIN WAY THAT MOST OF THESE VIRUSES ARE PASSED PERSON TO PERSON IS BY CLOSE CONTACT.

SO IT'S THROUGH THE SEE CREATIONS THAT COME WHEN YOU SNEEZE OR WHEN YOU COUGH AND ESPECIALLY WHAT HAPPENS ON YOUR HANDS.

SO IF THOSE VIRUSES GET ON YOUR HANDS AND THEN YOUR HANDS WILL TOUCH YOUR EYES YOUR NOSE, ET CETERA THAT IS HOW THEY GET INTO PEOPLE'S BODIES NOT THROUGH THE AIR.

SO IT'S CLOSE CONTACT.

IF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT CLOSE CONTACT IS THE WAY THEY WILL GET THE VIRUSES, THEN YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT THE THINGS WOULD BE TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

SO I LIKE TO SAY THINGS LIKE IF YOUR KIDS IF ONE CHILD IS A SOCCER GOALIE ON ONE END OF THE FIELD AND THE OTHER ONE IS THE GOALIE ON THE HE OTHER END IF THEY HAVE THE FLU, RSV OR COVID AND THEY STAY IN THE GOALS THE OTHER GOALIE IS NOT GOING TO GET IT.

THEY WILL GET IT WHEN THEY ARE EATING SNACKS TOGETHER AND WHEN THEY SHAKE HANDS AT THE END OF THE GAME.

THEY ARE GOING TO GET IT IF THEY INTERACT CLOSE TO EACH OTHER.

SO THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE THINGS IN YOUR FAMILIES IN YOUR SCHOOLS IN YOUR DAYCARES THAT'S THE WAY THAT THESE VIRUSES ARE PASSED.

HAND WASHING IS THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO HAND WASHING OR USING ALCOHOL-BASED HAND SANITIZERS NUMBER ONE WAY TO PROTECT OURSELVES.

>> Jeff: THERE'S STILL NO HAND SANITIZER FOR THE NORO VIRUS NOR A SHOT FOR THAT.

THAT IS ALL ABOUT HAND WASHING, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

NORO VIRUS CAUSES VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.

AND THERE IS A VACCINE THAT IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT.

HAS ONLY SO FAR BEEN TESTED IN ADULTS BUT LOOKS PROMISING BUT THERE IS NONE YET LICENSED AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

BUT, YES, HAND WASHING, IS THE WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST NORO VIRUS.

THAT VIRUS COMES OUT IN THE STOOL AND IN THE VOMIT AND SO TINY BITS OF IT IT ONLY TAKING A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE VIRUS FOR THE NEXT PERSON TO GET INFECTED AND IT'S HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS ONCE IT GETS INTO THE FAMILY EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY GETS SICK FROM IT.

>> Jeff: GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS MAYBE ACROSS THE AGE SPECTRUM.

IT'S IN THE NEWS NOW BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS OUT WITH ITS RECOMMENDATIONS BASED, I THINK, ON WHAT THE ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS LIKES.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO?

>> MY BIGGEST WORRY IN THIS MY FIELD IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE IS THAT THE CONFUSION AND THE CHAOS THAT IS GOING ON IS GOING TO LEAD TO COMPLACENCY.

THAT PEOPLE WILL SAY WELL ONE GROUP RECOMMENDS THIS AND ANOTHER RECOMMENDS THIS IF THEY CAN'T DECIDE THEN HOW AM I TO DECIDE FOR MY FAMILY.

WHAT I RECOMMEND FOR EVERYONE INCLUDING MY FAMILY, IS TALK TO THEIR PROVIDERS.

BECAUSE THEIR PROVIDERS WHETHER THAT'S THE PEDIATRICIAN, INTERNNIST WHOEVER CARES FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN THEY WILL HAVE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION THEY WILL FOLLOW THE FACTS AND NOT GOING TO BE POLITICIZED THEY ARE DOING IT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AND THEIR HEALTH.

YES, I WORK TOGETHER WITH THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS THOSE ARE PEDIATRICIANS WHO HELP EACH OTHER TO MAKE DECISIONS ON WHAT IS RIGHT FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ALL INFECTION, ALL ILLNESSES IN CHILDREN BUT ESPECIALLY INFECTIONS.

WE LOOK AT THE DATA CAREFULLY AND WE TRY TO HELP FAMILIES TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR CHILDREN.

IF YOU ARE A PARENT, AND YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO FOR YOUR KID LIKE YOU DO FOR EVERYTHING ELSE RELATED TO THEIR HEALTH NOT JUST VACCINES ASK YOUR PEDIATRIC PROVIDER.

>> Jeff: WHEN IT GETS CONFUSING SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST DEFAULT TO INACTION.

THE OTHER SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON THIS IS WHEN PEOPLE WALK THROUGH THE GROCERY STORE OR THE PHARMACY AND THERE'S SIGNS TRYING TO GET YOU TO GET THIS VACCINE OR THAT VACCINE AND MAYBE THERE IS A REACTION TO THAT WHERE IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH PRESSURE TOO GIMMICKY.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> YEAH, THAT IS WHAT I SAY YOUR BEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION IS YOUR PROVIDER, I THINK.

YOU KNOW, MOST OF US MAYBE ALL OF US ARE MOST TRUSTED SOURCE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION IS THE PERSON THAT WE ENTRUST WITH THAT AND THAT IS OUR PROVIDER.

SO DON'T BE PRESSURED BY A PHARMACY.

DON'T BE PRESSURED BY SOCIAL MEDIA ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN'S DOCTOR.

AND THEY WILL HELP YOU TO TEASE OUT IS THIS A VACCINE THAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS OR THEY DON'T NEED.

WHEN SHOULD THEY GET IT, HOW IS IT BEST FOR THEM TO GET IT.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GETTING IT AND THE SIDE EFFECTS.

IT'S JUST TOO MUCH TO TRY TO SORT OUT YOURSELF.

SO I THINK TURN TO YOUR PROVIDERS THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THE INFORMATION.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO Dr.

CAMPBELL AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITHTATE STATE AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS WE WILL LOOK INTO THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES FACING LEGISLATORS WHEN THEY RETURN TO THE STATE HOUSE IN JANUARY.

JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY AT 7.

REMEMBER YOU CAN SEE PAST EDITIONS OUR PROGRAMS ON-LINE AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND ALSO THE FREE PBS APP.

AND YOU CAN FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT MPT NEWS.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION".

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MARYLAND RELAY, EMPOWERING THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING OR SPEECH DISABLED TO STAY CONNECTED BY PHONE.