03/15/2020
We are in the midst of a pandemic. This is a fact. There is a new viral strain, SARS-CoV2, that has used our society's ability to travel globally with ease, along with our dense population centers and little to no pre-existing immunity to spread quickly. It causes the illness Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We have seen a rapid rise in the number afflicted in the US over the past week, but that is a product of more available testing capabilities now. As we begin to test more individuals with milder symptoms, I expect the current mortality rate to drop as the "total positive cases" denominator grows.
The best precautionary advice is not "novel" itself. Hand hygiene, covering coughs, avoiding touching one's face, social distancing, self-quarantine with symptom onset are not new concepts. Unfortunately, I feel that the media has taken a global health concern and emphasized, as well as politicized, it to garner more viewership. The only experts that the public should be gathering their facts from are those in the medical field, who understand public health, disease prevention, and management. It is true that there are not enough tests for everyone that would like one, but like every other screening test, it is up to the medical provider to determine screening necessity based on clinical history and exam. In the same way that I do not prescribe antibiotics for every patient that walks into my office with a cough, I also do not perform an influenza or strep throat screen for everyone with respiratory symptoms or a sore throat.
What is truly concerning is the loss of humanity through this situation. Anxiety surrounding fear of the unknown is common and acceptable, similar to test anxiety. However, all of the bulk-purchasing as a response, leading to physical altercations in stores and citizens left without any options is disheartening. We need to remember that there is a younger generation watching and learning from our behaviors. We should be teaching them that you can respond to a crisis with patience and wisdom, rather than panic and stress.
National, State, and Local governments, under the advisement of public health experts, have set limitations to events with large crowds. Schools have cancelled in person classes for the next month. Many jobs are telling their employees to work remotely. Global travel restrictions have been placed into effect. Stadiums, arenas, theaters, public attractions have shuttered their doors. This is an economic and entertainment hardship, but a necessary one. So please do not encourage adolescents to use their time away from school to gather and socialize in large public crowds, as this is counter-intuitive. This is a drastic attempt to "Flatten the Curve." These measures are not meant to reduce the overall number of infected individuals, but it is meant to lengthen the course to reach that number. Medical institutions can only care for so many people at one single time. This action will help reduce a strain on our available resources and manpower. Medical professionals are on the front lines and are in high risk situations daily. You can help by calling your P*P or one of the available COVID-19 hotline phone numbers if you believe you have developed concerning symptoms. Call before going straight to the ER, Urgent Care, or Physician's office. If you do end up presenting to an office or ER, please do not take that as an opportunity to raid the cabinets and steal masks, gloves, and other protective equipment. We rely on these. Do not get upset if you are not immediately tested for COVID-19, but need to undergo such tests as influenza screening or respiratory panel screening first. Trust your medical professionals.
Please use this post to relay any questions you may have regarding COVID-19, testing protocols, etc. I will do the best that I can to answer with the limited, evolving information that I have obtained. We will get through this time. Let us not regress as a society in the process. Be kind, Be cautious, Be healthy.
Thank you for reading,
Dr. Tilson
