Greetings all. This inaugural episode talks about immediate information you will need as you begin to face the coronavirus pandemic.

Youtube:

Show Notes:

Information for my patients:

Monday clinic for March 16th will be conducted as per usual. That said, if you are sick, please call us and do not come in. We will be able to triage you over the phone and recommend a plan.

For Tuesday clinics and forward we will go to an as needed basis with elective visits being postponed a short time hopefully. Again, anyone is welcome to call in with any concerns that they may have, infectious disease wise or otherwise.

Information for everyone:

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is beginning to affect everyone. It is not a hoax and the concerns are not overblown. It is certainly true that influenza ANB have caused many more deaths, but this matter is manageable and there is a vaccine. The coronavirus being novel, presents a challenge for which we have no immunity. Neither do we have a vaccine. The weak and aged appear to be more vulnerable.

FAQs

COVID -19 is a novel virus. This means humans as a group have no resistance to it. There is currently no specific treatment and no vaccine.

Those over 60 in with severe chronic and underlying medical conditions such as heart and lung disease or diabetes are particularly vulnerable and should place a call to their health provider on Monday to check in with them about any measures that they may have to do in particular to protect themselves. The effects on pregnancy are unknown.

The virus is transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets with a radius of about 6 feet. For this reason social distancing is key

Healthy individuals should practice exposure prevention by social distancing since exposure prevention is the only known way to prevent the disease.

Social distancing involves several things. The usual hand shaking and hugging should be put aside for now. Stand no closer than 6 away from another person in a public situation. Avoid group gatherings.

Symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever cough or shortness of breath. This means social distancing even from people who have no symptoms is indicated.

If you are sick, stay at home. If you must go out in public wear a mask. Cover your cough and discard your tissues. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the tissue. Call your doctor if the usual measures of managing an upper respiratory illness do not work.

Hand washing is critical for everyone. In this instance it consists of cleaning your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available use a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

New information and recommendations are coming in every hour. Familiarize yourself with the CDC.gov site and your local health department website. Call your doctor with any questions.

References:

https://flatheadhealth.org/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html