Coronavirus Update

I still cannot believe I was in Florida last week at an international medical conference and fast-forward to today when the thought of traveling seems out of the question. It's amazing how fast things can change now that COVID19 has officially been declared a pandemic. In order to continue my INVEST series, I am combining the final installment on investing in your environment with a COVID19 update since these go hand in hand (pun intended).

Looking at the positive side: All the lockdowns, air travel restrictions, decreased demand in oil and gas, factory/business closures, and event cancellations set in place around the world have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

To get the facts on coronavirus from my last post click HERE or scroll down for some basic graphics:

Regarding National/Regional updates as of 3/14/20:

• 2486 cases in US; 50 deaths in WA, CA, FL, NJ, SD, NY, CO, KS, GA
• 45 cases in PA
• At least 30 cases in Delaware Valley
• 3 cases in Bucks County
• 6 cases in Delaware County
• 18 cases in Montgomery County
• 3 cases in Philadelphia County

As a physician, I am not scared of this virus. I am scared of the media sensationalizing it and the mass hysteria that has ensued causing public panic and anxiety. This type of response, from hoarding basic household goods to stealing medical supplies, is dangerous. It is taxing on our healthcare system and leading to a shortage of resources. It is mentally straining to individuals and families. I feel for those who are now in need of child care, food, shelter, even something as simple as toilet paper, and encourage all of you to spread KINDNESS not viruses.

I hope my posts bring several of you some form of understanding and reassurance that despite school and business closings, event cancellations, flight groundings, economic disruptions, countries on lock down, we, the physicians and healthcare community, will be open and ready on the front lines fighting for you. However, we cannot do it alone. We need your help. Here's how:

Ways to protect yourself and your environment

• Practice social distancing
• To further reduce the spread of coronavirus, avoid large crowds, public places, and non-urgent or non-emergent travel (especially cruises).
• Avoid shaking hands or touching other people as best you can.
• Many airlines are offering credits or refunds to travelers.

• Continue good hygiene
• 20 seconds of soap and water or a hand sanitizer go a long way.
• Don't touch your face as the virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets.

• Boost your immune system
• Stay hydrated.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Take a multivitamin and vitamin C.
• Practice stress relieving techniques like exercise or meditation.
• Fresh flowers have been proven to help reduce anxiety as well.
• PLEASE stop mass buying all the cleaning products
• If the rest of the community does not have access to these, they cannot care for themselves with proper hygiene and sanitization, putting you even more at risk.
• This will inevitably perpetuate the spread of the virus leaving you little protection despite hoarding multiple bottles of Purell and toilet paper (seriously, what is with the TP stockpiling? Is it acceptable to now give a roll of toilet paper in place of a bottle of wine?).

PC: The Bachelor on ABC

• Respect healthcare workers
• Have patience and only go to the emergency room if you are severely ill. If you have cold-like symptoms stay home. The healthcare system capacity can only be stretched so thin. Efforts and resources must be diverted to the critically ill patients. This is why we have a triage system.
• If you are infected, you could be contagious for 20-37 days.
• If you are unsure, call your primary care doctor.
• At this time there is no cure for the virus. 80% of patients recover and we are working on an antiviral drug as well as a vaccine.
• PLEASE stop stealing our masks
• We need these to care for patients who are actually sick.
• COVID-19 is not the only disease out there and if we do not have personal protective equipment available, we cannot provide appropriate or effective treatment.
• Already efforts have been put in place to decrease the number of individuals using these resources, with medical schools removing their students from clinical sites to hospitals only allowing doctors and essential nursing care into rooms.
• STAY INFORMED
• Review WHO and CDC guidelines and updates
• Understand that by PREVENTING this disease we are saving lives. The less individuals infected means this is not an overreaction. Know that the flattening of the curve is an indication that your efforts for mitigation and containment are indeed helping save lives
• ABOVE ALL, BE KIND
• I have heard stories of fights breaking out over the last laundry detergent, price gouging (this should be illegal), and elderly couples afraid to go grocery shopping. All I can think is please remember we are all in this together.
• Spread kindness, not disease

Finally, as much as I would like to shout out to all my colleagues in healthcare from the physicians to the nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, techs, and more, I would ESPECIALLY like to share my gratitude and appreciation for the sanitation and janitorial teams that are the real MVPs  Thank you for helping work so hard to keep our environment clean and safe.