What is Coronavirus or COVID-19?

How is COVID-19 spread?

• It spreads via respiratory droplets (think coughs/sneezes)
• It spreads via person to person contact (within 6 feet)
• It can remain for about a week on surfaces (known as fomites)
• Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath
• Those who are immunocompromised, the elderly, and the young are the most at risk and susceptible to falling severely ill

What is the best prevention?

• WASH YOUR HANDS (soap and water or alcohol-based rub for at least 20 seconds. I always keep a travel size bottle attached to my bag and have an automatic soap dispenser in my home - linked these for you in my liketoknow.it)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and discard
• Stay home when you are sick
• Clean/wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant

Should you wear a mask?

• Unless you are sick, NO
• Save those for healthcare workers, caregivers, and people who are ACTUALLY SICK
• The best thing you can do is WASH YOUR HANDS
• Often the general public ends up touching their face MORE when they wear a mask to adjust it thus you are more likely to get sick because of this if you wear one

How else can you protect yourself from getting sick?

• While coronavirus does not yet have a vaccine the flu does: GET YOUR FLU SHOT
• Stay informed by visiting the CDC and WHO websites.
• SHARE THIS POST TO SPREAD THE FACTS

What about social stigma?

• Fear and anxiety exacerbate unnecessary and undue prejudice, especially right now against those of Chinese and Asian-American descent
• This virus does not discriminate and NEITHER SHOULD YOU - everyone is at risk for COVID-19 no matter their nationality (that being said, at this time there is little immediate risk of exposure in the United States)
• Fight the stigma and use your energy instead to fight the disease

Happy February! It has been over a month since those New Year's Resolutions were made, how are they going for you?

My time has been occupied with enjoying the experience rather than making an appearance. When you are stretched thin between a full time job, part time school, and an overall demanding schedule, the way to best utilize your free time is by doing things you love with people you love. Live your life by shooting for the moon because even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.


This is where INVESTING in YOUR EXPERIENCES becomes so important. A few major changes I have made include waking up early even on weekends. It's better for your health especially when it comes to maintaining a circadian rhythm and your metabolism. It also helps you make the most out of your day.


I also am taking more advantage of what Philly has to offer on days when I am not as hard-pressed for time such as visiting their new Wonderspaces exhibit over the weekend. Dubbed "a home for [the] extraordinary" this space is filled with "immersive, interactive, [thought-provoking], and conversation-provoking works of art."



As a lover of art and science, I was enthralled by the blend of technology, form, structure, and depth these installations possessed. From computer graphics to optical illusions, virtual reality, and light manipulation, you can catch these and more in the new Philly Fashion District.


Another exciting event I am participating in? The Philly Broad Street Run. A 10 mile race (yes 10 MILES) that raises money to benefit the American Cancer Society.


As this city's first Cancer Rehabilitation Fellow Physician, I wanted to give back in a big way and honor my patients. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep tabs on my running progress. FYI: I am not much of a runner. Sure, in high school, I was on the track team but only competed in Long Jump. This shall be an EXPERIENCE. And I even convinced one of my closest friends, Priyanca, to join me. Also thank you to Fabletics for sponsoring us - more to come on this in follow up posts.


So find a friend, share a smile, and this month, don't just make an appearance, invest in your experience!

Food

Welcome to the New Year! Wishing you a happy, healthy, and fruitful 2020. Have you thought about your New Year's resolutions? I simplified mine into one word: INVEST. And with that #2020vision in mind, I am starting a new blog series on how to INVEST this year, from investing in YOURSELF to your ENVIRONMENT and lastly your EXPERIENCES.

The first part will focus on INVESTING IN YOURSELF. Under this segment, I will be discussing first finances, followed by health/wellness, and ending with ways to expand your mind. Come join me on this journey as I help you discover the New Year with the Same You, just a Better Approach.

Photo credit: @coryjpopp

Often when people hear the word invest they think of finances, which is just one aspect of this 2020 blog series. This post specifically is dedicated to helping you find ways to save money for yourself now and in the future. As a resident physician, we typically make less than minimum wage in comparison to the number of hours we work, which makes pinching pennies a must (especially when this physician is also paying tuition for her MBA courses).

Listed below are some simple steps I implement in order to save more $$ while still maxing out that Roth IRA/401K/403B.

Just in case, here is a quick refresher from a great money-saving blog called The Penny Hoarder on the difference between these accounts:


Pro-tip: Invest more in your 401K/403B and put as much as you can in other areas like a Roth IRA or high interest earning accounts. What you cannot access or see, you won't use.

BUDGET

It is never too late to start saving or budgeting. You can start today by reviewing last month's charges, designate what was a want (flexible income) vs. a need (fixed income). Follow the 50/30/20 rule (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings) and ensure you're not going over. My favorite way to budget is with the MINT app. This lets me check all of my accounts in one place while comparing all my charges with my budgets in real time.

Pro-tip: Find the right credit card that works for you as well - I use mine as a "travel" savings card so that every time I spend money, I accrue points I can put toward my next trip.