COVID-19 

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As we face the global pandemic of novel coronavirus, remember that The Lord wishes for us to be in good health. Deuteronomy 24:8 encourages us to be watchful and adhere to teachings designed to protect us during disease outbreak. We are to be prayerful for spiritual strength and physical wellness.

The novel Coronavirus or SARS-CoV 2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome – Coronavirus 2) is a new coronavirus that began to cause disease in humans in December 2019 in China. The virus was first transmitted from animal to human and now human to human. It has been rapidly spreading worldwide. COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus, was first discovered in the US in Jan 2020 in the state of Washington. There is growing concern of “community spread” to individuals without known contact with someone with COVID-19 or travel to areas of concern: China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy. Drastic steps are being taken nationwide to mitigate spread of the virus.

COVID-19 tends to cause fever with lower respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath. Contrast that to the flu and common cold that present with upper respiratory infection with symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, ear pain, sore throat, hoarseness, coughing and wheezing Symptoms can last two weeks.

According to current understanding, COVID-19 causes no symptoms in most people. It can take 2-12 days for most people to develop symptoms after being infected. Symptoms can be mild with fever, cough and/or shortness of breath to severe with pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Those most at risk for severe diseases are the elderly or those with chronic illnesses and compromised immunity. About 80%’of infection will be mild, 15% will be more severe and 5% will be catastrophic with respiratory failure, multi-organ failure and death. Still, children and young adults can get the disease.

If you are sick with a respiratory illness with coughing and sneezing, using proper respiratory etiquette and following proper hand hygiene are appropriate ways to prevent transmission to family members.

The current (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Philadelphia Department of Public Health guidelines for identifying someone as having possible COVID-19 infection are:

1. Person with fever or lower respiratory symptoms AND exposure to someone with known COVID-19 within 14 days of symptoms
2. Person with fever and lower respiratory symptoms requiring hospitalization AND traveled to areas of concern within 2 weeks of symptoms.
3. Person with fever and severe respiratory distress without other possible infectious causes.

The best defense is to prevent person to person transmission, which occurs when an infected person coughs or sneezes and spreads droplets to another. It is not recommended to wear face mask every day. Take these steps recommended by the CDC:

1. Thoroughly wash your hands often with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds​​​​​​.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
4. Stay home when you are sick.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
6. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
7. Use appropriate respiratory etiquette and cover mouth and nose with tissue while coughing and sneezing. Throw soiled tissue in trash.
8. If you are concerned about having the infection, call your doctor for instructions. DO NOT GO TO THE OFFICE.

Immigration is not to be blamed for the novel coronavirus outbreaks. You can’t judge who has the disease based on nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity or race. We live in a world in which we travel for business and vacation in masses. We spend time together in confined areas such as planes, trains and cruise lines. We congregate at malls, sports events, parties and other gatherings. These are reasons why the respiratory viral infections spread so quickly. Think about delaying unnecessary travel and not attending large gatherings. Instead of shaking hands, do the elbow bump.

The nation is currently working on making testing available but it is not as simple as getting your sugar checked at your doctor’s office.

Unfortunately, there are people who will utilize fear and try to sell products that have not proven to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat or cure COVID-19. Fraudulent products included but not limited to Silver Solution, Colloidal Silver, Herbie’s Herbs Formula #1, #2 and #3. It is also incorrectly believed that rinsing mouth or drinking water frequently can prevent infection. Although there are current investigations underway, there is no current cure or vaccination.

Information changes frequently. Get update www.coronavirus.gov

Submitted by Dr. Wilbert Warren