On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the W.H.O. Declared Wuhan Coronavirus (Covid-19) a Pandemic. At the time, the U.S.had over 1,100 cases in at least 41 states and the District of Columbia. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic. A pandemic is defined as the “worldwide spread” of a new disease.
As of that Wednesday, 33 people had died: 25 in Washington state, four in California, two in Florida, one in New Jersey and one in South Dakota.”All countries can still change the course of this pandemic. If countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace and mobilize their people in the response,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, said. “We are deeply concerned by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction (by some countries).”
Of course, we know the numbers have increased since then, even if you discount false positives. And even discounting people who received notices of test results, but had never actually taken the test. That is a whole other story!
The number of cases outside China had multiplied 13-fold over the previous two weeks to over 121,000. At the time we wrote this, the Pandemic had caused over 4,300 deaths, WHO said. That number changes daily, almost hourly.
Officials declared Europe the new epicenter. By Wednesday, Italy was second only to China in the number of cases, with 12,462 illnesses and 827 deaths.
In reaction to the news, stock markets in Asia, the U.S. and around the world fell. The DOW fell almost 1,500 points Wednesday and the S&P index was only one point away from being in a bear market. Countries around the world are now concerned about an economic recession.
Several American cities joined European counterparts in banning large gatherings. States including Washington, Oregon, New York and North Carolina have declared states of emergency in order to respond quickly. Sports events, including the NCAA basketball tournament, were either cancelled or will played without fans.
Many universities switched to online classes for the rest of the school year. Schools were closed in Washington, Oregon, and parts of other states at this time, and in most states as time went on.
More companies were urged to allow employees to work from home, or to offer extra paid leave, if possible. According to health experts, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough for most people. And fortunately, for now, it does not seem to be causing serious illness in children.
But for older adults (over 65) and people with existing health problems, such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc., it can cause more severe illnesses. Including pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death. Older adults are still advised to stay home, avoid travel or large groups, and limit contact with others.
But the CDC says that most people recover. This Pandemic is absolutely something to be concerned about, but panic makes all things worse.
People with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while more severe illness may take three to six weeks for recovery, according to WHO. The following link will take you to the WHO website, which is be updated daily.
The following link will take you to the CDC Influenza website, which is updated weekly. The CDC says coronavirus and flu symptoms are similar, beginning with runny nose, cough, and sneezing. Therefore, it can be difficult to tell whether you have the flu or coronavirus at first.
However, if your cough progresses to a loud, hacking cough that keeps on and on, along with shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, and a high fever, CALL YOUR DOCTOR!
In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Are There Vaccines Or Treatments For Coronavirus?
While research into the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid19) is underway, there are as yet no specific treatments for this coronavirus. Such antivirals as we have, although they may prove valuable, were developed for other viruses and have not been put to the test against Covid19. Some antivirals have now been tried in Washington state with more information to come later.
Several companies have announced progress on a vaccine. However, a vaccine takes months for development, and for safety trials. No vaccine is expected until at least the end of the year and probably longer.
A Gilead Sciences drug has been tested in China and appears to have some potential. More news will be forthcoming.
And currently, diagnostic testing for Covid19 is still limited, although anyone suspected of having coronavirus or who has been exposed to someone with coronavirus will be tested.
If you suspect you may have Covid19, CALL YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU GO IN. This allows them to set aside an area for treatment without exposing other patients.
So, in addition to hand-washing and other precautions, perhaps the best thing you can do for your family is to make sure they are healthy! Getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and adding immune support that may include Vitamins and Herbs are the ways to start!
A high-dose Vitamin C and Vitamin D regimen may help protect against coronavirus. Use this link to go to a previous article regarding the use of Vitamin C.
Also, (OMNS Mar 3, 2020) The government of Shanghai, China has announced its official recommendation that COVID-19 should be treated with high amounts of intravenous vitamin C. (1) Dosage recommendations vary with severity of illness, from 50 to 200 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day to as much as 200 mg/kg/day.
For the time being, stay on top of the news, travel locally, avoid large crowds, and follow tried and true methods of disease prevention.
HOW TO STAY HEALTHY
The following are a few simple precautions that will help keep your family healthy. Some of that will be following the simple procedures recommended by CDC and WHO, below.
As you know, these are the same things that our parents and grandparents always told us, such as:
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
Also, don’t forget to disinfect doorknobs, telephones, light switches, refrigerator door handles, microwave handles and buttons, and computer keypads, etc. And, keep some hand sanitizer in the car for use after you pump gas, pick up fast food, and so on.
Additionally, use of a mask if you are sick or if you are around someone who is sick, or in the case of a widespread outbreak can definitely help.
Coronavirus, flu, and other upper respiratory infections can spread through air droplets.
Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Simple Precautions to Avoid Infection can be found below:
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
- Don’t forget to disinfect doorknobs, telephones, light switches, refrigerator door handles, microwave handles and buttons, and computer keypads, etc.
- And, keep some hand sanitizer in the car for use after you pump gas, pick up fast food, and so on.
As of today, the CDC STILL does not recommend widespread use of masks. However, that may also change in the coming weeks. Use of a mask if you are sick or if you are around someone who is sick, or in the case of a widespread outbreak can definitely help.
If quarantine is called for, are you ready for it? This page in our health and fitness category can help you get there. Having a plan of action before something happens is the best way to reduce anxiety. This helps you stay in control and think clearly. Which helps you and your family not to panic. This is key in any crises!
Again, Coronavirus, flu, and other upper respiratory infections can spread through air droplets. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
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