March Madness: What you Need to Know About Coronavirus-19
With airports restricting travel, work meetings being cancelled, and schools (offices, stores, gyms, theaters, restaurants, houses of worship) being closed, how can we stay safe and healthy?
The most recent Coronavirus (COVID-19) originated in Wuhan, China, but has now spread throughout Asia, Europe and North America in less than 2 months. New cases continue to be reported, and some of those patients are becoming very sick and even dying. Current statistics suggest a 1-3% average death rate (up to 0.9% in healthy, younger individuals; up to 10.9% in those with underlying health issues), but it is hard to know the true number of COVID-19 carriers/affected, since most cases are probably not reported. This is because, fortunately, most otherwise healthy people will experience only mild cold/flu-like symptoms and not realize that they even have COVID-19, and because most of those infected have not been tested and officially diagnosed.
Many epidemiologists and infectious disease doctors believe that this virus will continue to spread through 2020, perhaps slow down over the summer, and pick up again during the 2020-2021 winter season, similar to the pattern we see with influenza viruses. In fact, they say that at least 50% of us will likely be exposed. The virus has already mutated and become more contagious than some previous coronaviruses (SARS, 2003 outbreak), and will be difficult to contain. As local cases are being discovered, cities nationwide are being advised to practice strict social distancing. The CDC has discouraged communal gatherings of greater than 50 people, commonplaces (schools, gyms, bars, theaters, houses of worship) are being closed indefinitely, and playdates and close-up interactions are frowned upon, with the exception of household contacts, all in the hopes of reducing spread of the virus and minimizing potential contact with viral particles.
What we do know is that unlike the flu and certain other coronavirus strains, young children are not severely affected. This may be due to previous sensitization and partial immunity due to constant infection with other coronavirus strains that cause routine colds. Older persons, smokers, front-line healthcare workers, and those with underlying lung disease, heart conditions, and/or immunosuppression are more likely to experience worse and potentially dangerous symptoms that have led to hospitalization and death. At this time, there is no treatment for COVID-19. Researchers are rapidly working to develop a safe and effective vaccine that could prevent infection, but it may take up to 12-18 months until it is FDA-approved and available for public distribution.
While many people are stockpiling food, dry goods, sanitizers, toilet paper, N95 masks and medications in preparation for a potential prolonged, large-scale, nationwide quarantine, is there a way to minimize the sense of panic and fear? Is there a way to create a ‘new normal’ daily routine, whereby we can remain healthy (and sane!) and lower our risk of contracting COVID-19? While these are difficult questions, here are some easy tips on how to minimize exposure to and infection by this (and most other) viruses:
Handwashing - You must wash your hands when you come home or into your office after being outdoors. You should also wash up after touching shared devices including: touch pads, payment kiosks, elevator buttons, railings, door knobs, telephone receivers, gym equipment. Viral droplets can travel up to 6 feet and may last in the immediate air for up to 60 seconds, but they can last on inanimate fomites for up to 48 hours. While alcohol gel sanitizers are convenient when you cannot get to a sink, lathering up with warm water and soap, rubbing your hands together for 20-30 seconds (*sing Happy Birthday in your head 2 times, slowly), is more effective at killing germs. Not only does the lathering, rinsing and wiping physically remove viral particles, but the emulsifying soap breaks down the oil coating of the coronavirus itself to dismantle the virus.
Don’t Touch Your Face - Most cold and flu viruses, including coronaviruses, are transmitted when viral particles from an infected person come in contact with the mucous membranes of a healthy person. While coughing or sneezing near someone is one way for droplet spread, touching an object onto which those germs have settled, and then touching your own eyes, nose, mouth is more common. Wipe down objects before handling them, avoid unnecessarily touching others, particularly hands and faces, and be conscious about keeping your hands away from your face.
If You Are Sick, Stay Home - Coronavirus or not, keep your germs to yourself. If you are not feeling well, stay in bed, relax and let yourself get healthy. Drink warm fluids, take Tylenol, as needed, binge-watch a new series and indulge in a little self-care. Don’t go to your primary care doctor’s office for evaluation or COVID-19 testing, but rather call first for their recommendations. Do seek ER attention if you develop super high fevers and have difficulty breathing.
Wishing all those who are affected by COVID-19 a speedy and complete recovery, and hoping that the rest of us can accept this imposed ‘time-out’, and give ourselves permission to step outside our daily grind, relax a bit, and let our minds and bodies stay healthy.