News, facts, thoughts, and advice from Dr. Maurice Beer and the IMNY Team.
THE BAD
The United States has the fastest increase and the largest number of coronavirus infections anywhere in the world. New hot spots are beginning in Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans. The US mortality rate has inched up to a little over 1.4%. There are not enough ventilators to handle a worst-case scenario of hospitalizations.
I am very concerned that the lack of adequate PPE (personal protective equipment) for front-line healthcare workers will lead to infections and illness that will deplete the numbers of available personnel. I have heard that providers are calling in sick, fearful of getting infected. There is a dire need for N95 masks, surgical masks, protective gowns, and face masks.
10% of the NYPD force called in sick today. 200 firefighters have tested positive for the virus.
Information is still conflicting between the White House and people like Bill Gates and various academic epidemiologists who feel we need to get more data (more testing), and nationwide isolation for at least another 6-10 weeks to stop virus spread. Most public health experts warn that it would be reckless to lift restrictions before infections have peaked and begun to ebb It is basically up to local and state jurisdictions to direct restrictions. Basically, it’s up to each of us to decide whose advice we will follow.
THE GOOD
Technology for health: download “Pulse Oximeter” app by digiDoc Technologies for $4.99.
In addition to checking for fever, you can monitor your blood oxygen saturation with this app. If you are short of breath and your O2 saturation is above 95%, you do not need medical care. If you have questions, contact us via the portal.
Resolving the pandemic is simple and the infection can be avoided and eventually brought under control if we practice social distancing properly. Protect yourself and others by:
- Staying home from work, school, and all activities when you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, which may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
- Keeping away from others who are sick.
- Limiting close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).
- Only leave your safe space if absolutely necessary and follow these guidelines from reliable, science-based authorities.
From the CDC
Limit your time outside your home. Plan your food shopping carefully and try to purchase at least one week of food each time you shop. Rice, pasta, buckwheat (soba) noodles, dried or canned beans, chili and vegetables, crackers, nuts, nut butter, canned fish, tuna, sardines, anchovies. Produce like oranges, apples, carrots, avocado, bananas.
COPING
Humor:
Randy Rainbow has produced some creative and even poignant videos.
Apple has an app available for download from the app store to screen and advise about COVID-19.
More information and guidelines to help you prevent infection. The following is from an assistant professor in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University.
- The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat) which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and convert them into aggressors and multiplier cells.
- Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.
- The virus is very fragile. The only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy because the foam cuts the fat. That is why you need to rub so much, for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam. By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
- Heat melts fat. This is why it is good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything else. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.
- Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% dissolves any fat, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
- Any mix with one part bleach and five parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaking it down from the inside.
- Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol, and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.
- Bactericides and antibiotics do not work. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.
- Never shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates in about…
three hours (fabric and other porous materials)
four hours (copper and wood)
24 hours (cardboard)
42 hours (metal)
72 hours (plastic).
But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to three hours and can lodge in your nose.
- The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold temperatures, or in air-conditioned environments such as houses and cars.
- The virus also needs moisture and darkness to stay stable. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.
- UV light on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, however; UV light it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.
- The virus cannot pass through healthy skin.
- Vinegar is not useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
- Do not use vodka and other spirits. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.
- Listerine will work! It is 65% alcohol.
- The more confined space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
- You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote controls, cell phones, watches, computers, desks, TVs, etc. Also, after using the bathroom.
- You have to moisturize dry hands from so much washing them because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.
- Also keep your nails short so the virus does not hide there.