COVID-19 PANDEMIC: TAKE PRECAUTIONS, BUT DO NOT PANIC.
BY: MARTIN L. MIKAYA, M.D.

Coronaviruses have been known for a long time. They cause various infections in birds, animals and humans. Specifically, in humans, these viruses are the most common cause of the common cold and other mild respiratory infections. Their appearance, under the electron microscope, resembles a
crown; hence, the name coronaviruses.

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The current pandemic is caused by a previously unknown member of this group of viruses, now known as the novel coronavirus (or covid-19) that emerged in China last fall. Unlike other coronaviruses, this new coronavirus spreads rapidly from person-to-person and is more deadly than the already known coronaviruses.

The most common symptoms of the illness are: fever, cough and shortness of breath which develop 2 – 14 days following exposure to the virus. Other less common symptoms include loss of the sense of smell, nausea and diarrhea. Most people experience only mild symptoms and recover without any medical intervention. However, older people and those with associated underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, emphysema and hypertension are more likely to develop severe symptoms and even die.

Currently, there is neither a vaccine for preventing the disease nor a specific medication for treating it. Since no known human beings have been exposed to this virus before, there appears to be nobody with even partial, natural immunity to it at this time. That is why we as individuals and as a society must do everything possible to avoid exposure to the virus. The practical measures recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), professional medical societies and local public health departments are intended to protect individuals and prevent the infection from spreading to others. It is a tough time, but be wary of scammers and other unscrupulous people out there trying to exploit you with misinformation, bogus treatments and fake tests.

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The following is a summary of the CDC covid-19 precautions :

1. Cover all coughs and sneezes.

2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

3. Avoid crowds, sick people and unnecessary travel.

4. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If not, use hand sanitizers with 60% alcohol.

5. Do not share eating utensils. This is particularly important for us due to our cultural practice of multiple people eating from the same bowl at the same time and sharing the same cup. This practice must be abandoned for good.

6. If you are sick, stay home until you recover.
7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces: keyboards, phones, counter tops, door knobs etc.
8. Finally, pay attention to information coming out of your local public health department. Due to the size of the country the risk of infection and disease prevalence vary widely.

 

Please read more at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official government website
 

Observe these common sense precautions strictly, but DO NOT PANIC. This pandemic will pass.