coronavirus – Page 2

One new viral infection has led to a pandemic. While pandemics are not new, it is new for most of us in the United States. Few of us were alive in 1918 when the Spanish flu affected the world. And if you were here at that time, it is highly unlikely that you even remember it. If you are now age 105, you would have been age 3 or 4 during the Spanish flu.

I’ve heard many people say, “it is like we are living in a sci-fi movie”. If you would have asked me two months ago, that most flights overseas are grounded, that major sporting events canceled, that nonessential businesses would be closed, and physical distancing measures be implemented, I would have stated that it is impossible. However, that is the reality. If you are among the percentage of people who believe the outbreak to be a hoax, try to not deny what is happening. Denial will trick you into thinking you will not get sick or the virus does not have any direct impact on you. Denial will allow you to not follow the recommendations of specialists and experts who understand how pandemics work and are advocating to save lives. Even if you never get exposed to COVID 19 virus, the implications of this virus have already changed societies and will continue to do so. For some of us in minor ways, for some of us in tragic ways.

Now is not the time to place blame on other countries. Now is not the time to blame politicians. It is not the time for political figures to point blame at travelers, nursing home health care administrators, etc. Blaming one another for this crisis is not allowing us to work cooperatively to solve new problems. If scientists and experts recommend guidelines on how to move forward, they are the experts who we need to be listening to. We are still learning about how the virus spreads, infects, and how to medically treat it so we can save lives. Until more effective treatments are discovered, prevention is your best medicine. Our world has been through pandemics before and we should learn from the past. Many have used the lesson learned with two cities during the Spanish Flu that took two different approaches to fight the spread. Our country is doing similar things. Every state is making local decisions. While each location has its own unique circumstances, we will look back at what we did right and what we did wrong. We just have not seen anything on this grand of a scale for quite some time. It is my opinion that it is not wise to compare it to the H1N1 virus of 2009, SARS, MERS, or Ebola. Each of those viruses had a unique impact on the world. The Spanish Flu of 1918 is probably the best pandemic to compare it to, however, even that was influenza and this is a coronavirus. We should not compare apples and oranges. Another parable is that of the blind men and elephant. We need to listen to experts. Listen to the infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, historians, and professors.

There are times to be offensive and there times to be defensive. If you want to be successful and win the game, a team works together and knows when to be offensive and knows when to be defensive. These are lessons we are taught early in life. The consequence of not winning this war on this virus can have a vast toll on us. We are in this together. At some point, medical professionals and/or scientists will find successful treatment and in the process save millions of lives. Yes, millions. If we do not listen to the experts, we will continue to see sad and difficult days ahead. We have no idea how long that will be. You have to do your part. Now is the time to play defense. Even if you live in a remote part of the world and do not get exposed to the virus, you can show your support by leading by example. Stay home. Rural areas have cases. No one is immune to a new virus.

Please follow the recommendations of the CDC. The only recommendation I do not agree with by the CDC is the one that healthy people do not need masks. I understand the importance of first responders and health care providers to have masks. Yet, people have the right to protect themselves. Plus, even if you do not have a mask to wear – consider wearing a bandana over your mouth and nose. In my observation and opinion, South Korea has been more effective at reducing the spread of the COVID virus. I read that 70% of the population has been wearing masks over their nose and mouth when they are out in public. We should be doing the same. When we do go out for groceries or to the pharmacy, wear a protective mask or bandana. If it is being recommended for those health care professionals who are treating the infected, the same guidelines apply to you to protect yourself from the virus. You still should try to stay six feet away from others in addition to the other guidelines. Keep in mind, not all people who are sick will be staying home. To complicate matters, some infected people may not have symptoms and are unintentionally spreading the virus.

Hope. The FDA has allowed the ability to begin using antibodies of infected individuals who recovered as a way to treat the severely ill in New York. I heard today that the virus is not mutating easily. This is good news.

Some people, like Jahova Witness believers, may not agree to this form of treatment. Yet, for those who want it, it is a way to possibly defeat the virus and save lives. Other measures are being discussed and will be attempted. Until we have an effective treatment, continue to play defense.

Updated 3/25/2020 at 12:14 pm EST

Denial Is Powerful.

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Weeks ago I posted about the scary conditions in China with the COVID virus. I got accused of fear-mongering when I mentioned it could happen in the United States. I had someone curse at my post. I had another person laugh at it. I guess everyone is going to have their own opinion.
People will be contrary. On the other hand, others simply do not want to acknowledge the facts. Denial is powerful. Denial can help some people continue to function when the reality is too painful to accept.

In the media, we are being told facts over fear. Obviously many people are fearful about the virus. We have seen people buying excessive amounts of groceries. We have been told that you may need to quarantine for 14 days. In many people’s thoughts, they equate a 14-day quarantine with weeks of supplies and food. I ask you, have you ever seen that occur nationwide before?

With all the headlines that have transpired since the last time I posted, my head is spinning. I admit I got overwhelmed. I try to anticipate what the best course of action is to protect my loved ones and myself. I have wondered about what to do about work. I have debated if I should even risk going to work as health care providers are at a greater risk. For some employees, they were not given an option. Some businesses already closed down. Apple employees will not have to work and the company has enough money to pay all its employees during the two weeks shut down. They are doing this in all countries including China which had its stores closed earlier and have since reopened. I think Apple sees the Chinese people changing their routines and using protective measures which have reduced the spread of the virus. In the United States, we are just now confirming cases and are starting to see the first confirmed deaths from COVID 19. I pray that the shut down of schools, businesses, and social distancing makes a dramatic impact decreasing the number of people who become infected and thus prevent deaths. At the minimum, the logic behind #flattening the curve makes sense. We do not want our hospitals overwhelmed with patients. Be wise and follow the national recommendations to limit our exposure. While it is a great sacrifice for us a nation, the consequences of not following the recommended guidelines are horrific.

Our generation has not seen anything like this before. At first, we were told that this virus primarily is more lethal on our elders and among those with pre-existing conditions. Scientists are trying to understand how some places have a higher death rate than other places. However, France is seeing more than 50% of those who are in the ICU’s for COVID 19 are under the age of 60. Yesterday, I heard that there is a 45-year-old in New Orleans in the ICU and two emergency room doctors are now patients in critical condition.

Again, the purpose of these posts is to not cause fear or panic. The purpose of these posts is to promote your health. Prevention is the best medicine, especially NOW. If you are in denial, recognize it. Better to be as safe than sorry.

Updated 3/25/2020 at 12:30 pm EST

New Coronavirus

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Scary to imagine a situation in which the emergency rooms are full of people waiting to get medical attention, health care providers wearing protective gear to avoid becoming ill themselves and dead bodies covered with sheets in the hallway. It sounds like an apocalyptic science fiction movie you once watched, but no more. Unfortunately, we have that very scenario happening in China. So unbelievable the Chinese government shut down mass transportation in and out of more than 16 major metropolitan areas in an attempt to stop or slow the spread of the virus. Mongolia has closed its border with China and its schools for 1 month in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus even though as of Feb 6, 2020 – it had no documented cases of the illness.

If the experts in China have closed cities and other countries are taking steps to prevent the spread of a new, potentially lethal virus – it is wise to continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds and begins to be proactive in your attempts to stay healthy. Now is the time to be prepare before the virus spreads in the Western Hemisphere.

As things develop, it appears that this virus is going to be more difficult to contain than previous virus outbreaks. Look at the following cases from February 18th, 22nd and March 1st:

A summary of other headlines related to the COVID19 outbreak can be found here:

In the event you do end up in an emergency room, being able to quickly and effectively communicate your medical history will be an asset for yourself as well as the hospital staff. Being prepared ahead of such a scenario can get you prompt and better care. There is no cost for the basic membership.

Updated 3/25/2020 at 1:12 pm EST