1) The Corona virus began as a pneumonia outbreak in China in December 2019 (also known as COVID-19 since it began in 2019). This is a highly contagious respiratory virus which is spread by tiny droplets, primarily when one sneezes or coughs.
2) The incubation period begins when one is infected and ends when one begins to display the symptoms of the infection: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The estimated incubation period is about 5.5 days. For 97.5% of infected persons, symptoms appear by 11.5 days. What this means is that most infected individuals have no symptoms of the infection until 5 ½ days and later. In this circumstance, the infected person is unaware that they have the virus, and that they are possibly spreading the virus to others. This is how it spreads through the community.
3) Let’s contrast the seasonal flu with the Corona virus. Though vaccines are available for the seasonal flu, at present there is no vaccine for the Corona virus. Seasonal flu has a morality rate of 0.1% (one person will die per 1,000 infections); in contrast, the Corona virus appears to have a morality rate in the 3-5% range. It is much more deadly than the seasonal flu, and for severe cases hospitalization will be required.
5) When you look at a U.S. map plotting number of infections by state, Colorado is in the highest category, along with Washington, California, and New York. On March 10th, Governor Polis declared a state of emergency and announced new measures to fight the spread of Corona virus.
7) Entire countries, such France, Spain, and Italy, are on “lockdown.” Lockdown means that there are strict government regulations prohibiting travel, forbidding meetings and gatherings, canceling sport events, and closing schools and universities. Many businesses are closed. The population is encouraged to stay home, as far as possible. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a “pandemic” – a global spread of a new disease.
8) The persons most at risk are those with cardiac or respiratory disease; diabetes; the elderly; and esp. the elderly with cardiac and respiratory disease.
9) What to do?
a) Don’t be fooled – this is not like any other disease that the U.S. has
faced in over half century. It is not going to go away with a change of
weather from winter to spring. It will spread to rural areas, such as
the western slope, but it will take longer for this to show up. The
Center for Disease Control (= CDC) is an excellent source of
information, as is Dr. Anthony Fauci, M.D., a member of the White
House Coronavirus Task Force. Your personal doctor or primary care
provider is also a great source of information. If you need testing,
contact your local healthcare provider.
b) By far, the most important strategy to prevent or impede the spread
of the virus is social distancing. This simply means to avoid gathering
in public places. Remember, it is spread through person-to-person
contact, so less contact, less chance the virus will spread. Probably
the two most important words are STAY HOME. Try to stock up on
groceries if possible and limit your excursions and errand running.
c) We see lots of pictures of people wearing surgical masks. According
to the CDC, these are recommended under two circumstances:
1) If you are infected, wear a mask so that you don’t project
droplets when you cough or sneeze.
2) Wear a surgical mask if you are taking care of someone who
is infected.
d) If you are healthy and your significant other is a high risk person, you
run the errands and be very careful, and allow the high risk person to
isolate at home as much as possible.
e) If you become severely sick, with COVID-19 or any other illness, do
not hesitate to get out and go to your doctor or even the emergency
room.
f) We will get through this. It may take a couple of months,
be patient
and practice social distancing.
