The last few weeks have been inundated with the disconcerting and alarming news that the number of positive tests for the coronavirus has been surging again causing doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and additional health care workers to be concerned for everyone’s health and safety, as well as their own.
Now that winter has arrived with more people spending less time outdoors and knowing that families and friends are more anxious than ever to see each other again, the fear among health care experts is get-togethers with numerous individuals, from outside their immediate households, in small confines indoors, will serve as the catalyst for COVID-19 numbers to increase to a level never before seen.
So this is the ideal time to review some of the helpful tips that caused the “flattening of the curve,” a highly useful and effective strategy adopted in many places around the world that limited untold suffering and saved thousands if not millions of lives.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended that Americans should stay home for the holidays and not mingle with people outside their own household. As disappointing as that news is for many of us to hear, it’s undoubtedly the right strategy given our current dangerous and life-threatening circumstances.
How else can you protect yourself and those you love? Here’s a refresher on the basics:
• The most important thing we can all do is stay home as much as possible and reduce the number of errands and trips to the store or elsewhere. While being outside does lower the risk for contacting the virus, you should keep a safe distance from people you don’t live with. You can also reduce risk by getting takeout food instead of dining in restaurants and avoiding public transportation, if possible. Going to bars and nightclubs is considered one of the riskiest things you can do.
Although being told to wear masks seems like a tired old refrain, a recent report by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington found that if 95 percent of Americans wore masks, almost 70,000 lives would’ve been saved. Masks should cover both one’s nose and mouth, and should fit snugly, with no gaps. Washable, breathable cloth masks will do the job, but they should have at least two layers — three are better — and you can add a filter for more protection.
Washing your hands frequently is still one of the most basic, effective and simple things you can do. Work up a good lather and scrub your hands, fingers and under your nails for at least 20 seconds. Use clean, running water to thoroughly rinse, then dry them thoroughly.
Health experts say if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 the symptoms — if they show up at all — will most likely appear within a week or so. According to the CDC, any or all symptoms can appear between two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
People who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their health care provider immediately. If you are ill with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call your health center or clinic before coming to your appointment. If you are an Eskenazi Health patient, please call 317-880-7666 before coming to your appointment. Health care professionals are available 24/7 to answer questions on symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate care. It is important to first call before arriving at Eskenazi Health.
Nydia Nunez-Estrada, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
Eskenazi Health Center North Arlington