I’m a Doctor and Here’s How to Avoid COVID Right Now

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By Ghuman

Introduction

As a doctor, I understand the importance of taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). With the virus continuing to spread, it is essential to stay informed and take the necessary steps to reduce your risk of infection. In this article, I will provide you with the latest information on how to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you may have been exposed. I will also provide tips on how to stay healthy and safe during this pandemic. By following the advice in this article, you can help protect yourself and your family from the virus.

I’m a Doctor and Here’s How to Avoid COVID Right Now

As a doctor, I’m here to tell you that the best way to avoid getting COVID-19 is to take the necessary precautions. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
  • Stay home as much as possible.
  • Monitor your health daily.

These are just a few of the ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones from getting COVID-19. Remember, the best way to avoid getting sick is to take the necessary precautions and stay informed.

As a physician—and a human being—I used to be devastated to see that on November nineteenth, the US reported a million COVID-19 instances within the earlier seven days. This was the very best variety of instances in every week, for the reason that pandemic started. On the similar time, 80,000 People are at present in hospital with the virus, hospital providers are overwhelmed, the demise price stays excessive, and 250,000 US residents have died from the virus. Now, following Thanksgiving and as we strategy Christmas, the authorities are fearful a couple of surge in instances, and even a surge upon a surge.

It appears to me that if you have not had COVID by now, you are doing fairly effectively! You most likely know loads of people who find themselves both at present contaminated or have had it. What are you able to do to beat the surge? How will you be the one which by no means will get COVID? Are there any suggestions or methods? Learn on and discover out, and to make sure your well being and the well being of others, do not miss these Positive Indicators You have Already Had Coronavirus.

Female Wearing Face Mask and Social Distancing
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Thirty-seven US states have now made mask-wearing necessary. Are you able to guess why? As a result of they work.

I’ve to ask the query, why on earth is it so tough for some folks to simply accept sporting a masks? Should you put on a masks, and also you stop only one case of COVID-19, absolutely this makes it worthwhile? Bear in mind sporting a masks is extra prone to cease you passing the virus to different folks than it’s to cease you from changing into contaminated your self.

If 80% of American wore masks, numbers of COVID infections would plummet. That is the conclusion of a brand new computer-based examine utilizing a maksim simulator—a cleverly-designed laptop program which permits particular particulars concerning the virus, viral transmission and masks, to be entered, and may forecast the probability of viral transmission.

If you need proof that sporting masks prevents infections, have a look at Japan, for instance, the place mask-wearing has lengthy been an accepted a part of every day life. Regardless of life carrying on as regular through the pandemic, with eating places, bars, and golf equipment open, and folks persevering with to journey utilizing public transport, the demise price from the virus in Japan is lower than 2% of that within the US.

One latest Brazilian examine questioned 1,578 adults and located that those that refuse to comply with an infection management recommendation, together with mask-wearing, usually tend to present traits of character problems—equivalent to lack of empathy, callousness and deceitfulness. Does this sound such as you? There isn’t any excuse for the overwhelming majority of the inhabitants—please put on a masks, and thanks.

Family talking over dinner.
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You would possibly assume that in case you go to a big gathering you’ll simply maintain your self to your self and watch out and all might be OK. However giant gatherings enhance threat of COVID transmission.

So why is that this? What are the information?

If 10 individuals are contaminated, and every then attends say a marriage of 100 folks, that is doubtlessly 1,000 individuals who might now be contaminated.

Nevertheless, if these 10 contaminated folks every attended smaller gatherings, say a marriage of solely 10 folks, this implies doubtlessly solely 100 folks may be contaminated.

For the nation, there might be much less COVID infections if giant gatherings are forbidden.

For you as a person, attending a big gathering is high-risk as a result of these are crowded, you can’t safely maintain a very good six-feet away from different folks, whether it is indoors there could also be poor air flow and air filtration, some folks is probably not sporting masks, plus you’re having to share amenities together with restrooms.

For now, it’s good to perceive that attending giant gatherings is high-risk. Most individuals who’ve the virus haven’t any signs and are unaware they’ve it, but are infectious and may simply cross it on. Completely different nations have completely different guidelines, however within the UK for instance, a most of 15 individuals are allowed to attend a marriage. That you must know the dangers and make the choice for your self, however to remain protected—steer clear of giant gatherings.

RELATED: COVID Signs Normally Seem in This Order, Research Finds

A man browsing the CDC website to learn key facts about the Coronavirus Disease 2019
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The times of grabbing a coat and heading out the entrance door are sadly over. Now, it’s good to make a optimistic resolution every time you permit your individual dwelling.

Firstly, have you ever ready your house? Check out the CDC guidelines for the steps you may take to be ready at dwelling and keep protected. Should you plan to go out, or journey, you’ll find a listing of COVID restrictions in each state right here.

All the time put on your masks wherever you may’t safely keep six-feet from different folks and maintain washing your palms repeatedly. Should you do determine to exit—maybe to the grocery store, the gymnasium, or a restaurant—look them up on-line first and test it’s COVID-safe.

The vaccine is on its manner—in case you are affected person now, you may resume these regular actions in a couple of months. 

woman having video call and pointing finger to laptop computer at home
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Perhaps you, like me, have discovered your self in a clumsy spot with associates proper now. You, or they, could have deliberate an occasion which now you are feeling you can’t go forward with or really feel it isn’t smart or protected to attend. Nevertheless, you do not need to trigger any upset.

Issues are extraordinary proper now, so when these items occur, take a breath, and let it wash over you. We’re all in several conditions and every individual has to do what’s proper for them. It is not value dropping friendships over this.

media technology and modern lifestyle concept: young woman with smartphone reading fake news at the park
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There have been so many myths about COVID-19. Final evening on the radio, a girl phoned in who does not consider within the virus in any respect. She thinks all of the hype is simply resulting from “toxins in your physique.” I used to be astounded. 

Simply to be crystal clear—the virus is alive and really actual. You possibly can see the COVID-19 virus via an electron microscope with its attribute spike proteins. How can anybody refute strong scientific proof? COVID-19 antigens and antibodies have been recognized. Questioning the existence of the virus—after 64 million instances worldwide and almost 1.5  million deaths—is an insult to the worldwide scientific fraternity, and to those that have misplaced their lives.

Learn all about debunking COVID-19 myths from the World Well being Organisation.

As an alternative of losing time beating concerning the bush, settle for the information. This can be a severe, harmful virus, not less than 3 times as prone to kill you because the flu, and much more seemingly in case you have threat components, such being male, being older, being obese, have diabetes, hypertension, or and are available from a BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) background.

RELATED: Easy Methods to Keep away from a Coronary heart Assault, Based on Medical doctors

Chemist Adjusts Samples in a Petri Dish with Pincers and then Examines Them Under Microscope
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Medical trials and scientific experiments have reported numerous factual details about the COVID-19 virus. We now know lots about how it’s transmitted, and which therapies are efficient. Scientists have achieved what was considered unachievable, and developed three COVID-19 vaccines, in report time. Science is implausible and we’re indebted to those good scientists who’ve completed such excellent work.

Nevertheless, scientific information then must be interpreted and used to create insurance policies. That is the place you and I are available in. As soon as the specialists have reviewed the information and interpreted it, they will make smart tips and laws to assist maintain us protected. It is as much as you and me to respect the information, and the decision-making course of, and comply. Absolutely, we must be working with scientists and politicians, and never rallying towards them

I favored this quote: “Believing in issues which can’t be falsified or testified—is faith,”  to cite Medpage at present.

Ask your self, in case you had been President, how would you deal with this pandemic?  The place would you go for solutions? How would you advise the nation to make sure all of your residents stayed protected? There’s just one reply – you’d comply with the science.

Diy woman painting, renewing chair at home.
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Life, as we knew it, has disappeared. Now, daily is identical and we’re sitting in these 4 partitions questioning what the long run will deliver.

Assume again to while you labored frantically and longed to get dwelling, crawl into mattress, and keep there! Now you could have the chance to do exactly that! So, profit from being at dwelling.

There’s a lot to do at dwelling that simply by no means will get completed:

  • Decluttering, DIY, and adorning, cooking, maintain match, and house responsibilities. 
  • Leisure time? Now we’ve bucket a great deal of it—time to learn; possibly fiction, or poetry, and even non-fiction if that takes your fancy. Maybe be taught a brand new ability or take a web based course.
  • Get out within the backyard—develop greens, or if you do not have a backyard, create window bins or an indoor backyard.
  • Take heed to music, be taught to chill out, get sufficient sleep.
  • Meet up with outdated associates. Be form—strive volunteering. Being form is an actual feel-good factor to do.
Happy woman eating healthy salad sitting on the table with green fresh ingredients indoors
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Considered one of my associates has been following the Michael Mosely Quick 800 food regimen meal plan since August and has misplaced 56 kilos! He caught to the food regimen rigidly and cycled daily on an indoor train bike. He knew he was an obese, over-50, male, and as such in a high-risk class if he bought COVID. Now, he could have tremendously lowered his threat of great an infection.

It is as much as every one in all us to take a look at our threat components for extreme an infection and do what we are able to to change them. You maintain your individual future in your hand.

  • Eat healthily. Attempt to eat much less pink meat and extra rooster, fish, and pulses. Eat extra fruit and greens – these are filled with antioxidants which assist your immune system. Get extra fibre in your food regimen. Plan your meals. Drink extra water. Cut back salt in your food regimen.
  • Drink much less alcohol. Alcohol gross sales have been booming within the pandemic. Attempt to lower down in your ingesting. Restrict your self to just one or two drinks a day. Keep inside you 14 items per week, and have a few alcohol-free days in between every day you drink
  • Train extra. Ensure you get 5 x half-hour moderate-intensity train per week. This may be 3 x 10-minute bursts per day. This implies train equivalent to quick strolling which makes you barely out of breath or sweaty. You are able to do this at dwelling, taking telephone calls whereas strolling round the home, or working up and down the steps a number of instances, for instance.
  • Drop a few pounds. By consuming healthily and exercising extra you’ll drop pounds. Goal to lose 5-10% of your physique weight. For instance, in case you weigh 100Kg purpose to lose 5Kg (11 kilos). Should you can lose 1 pound per week, this can take 11 weeks.  Reducing weight and holding it off is without doubt one of the greatest issues you are able to do to your well being.
  • Handle continual ailments higher. If you’re diabetic for instance, when did you final have a check-up? How good are your blood sugars? Is it time you requested for assist? Diabetes is a threat issue for extreme COVID, and it’s good to be managing this the perfect you may. There’s assist on the market. Do not delay.
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Fortify your physique by taking the next steps:

Take Some Vitamin D — For the reason that begin of the pandemic, low ranges of vitamin D have been famous in affiliation with extreme  COVID an infection. A not too long ago printed examine (27th October 2020) reported that 82.2% of sufferers hospitalized with COVID-19 an infection had Vitamin D deficiency (outlined as serum 25OHD ranges <20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). The examine additionally discovered males to have decrease ranges of vitamin D than ladies, and that low ranges of vitamin D had been related to raised inflammatory markers – equivalent to raised ferritin and D-dimer ranges.

The authors really helpful that folks at excessive threat ought to have vitamin D supplementation – this would come with the aged, and folks with threat components equivalent to hypertension, diabetes, and weight problems.

Vitamin D deficiency is extra widespread within the winter months when the times are shorter. Vitamin D performs an important position within the immune response. The UK Authorities at present recommends everybody must be taking 10 mcg (400IU) of vitamin D, though this dose has not too long ago been challenged, and higher-risk people could requite 10 instances this quantity at 10,000 IU per day.

Our batting average ranked from last month but that's the reality
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Even in case you have by no means had a flu shot earlier than, that is the 12 months to have one. Why ought to this be? As a result of:

  • Influenza can be a harmful virus, we are actually getting into the flu season, and the very last thing you need to do is use your self contaminated with COVID and flu on the similar time.
  • By having the flu vaccine, you’re stimulating your immune system, and holding your immune system alert and prepared for motion. 
  • Having a flu shot helps keep away from a flu pandemic
  • If not sufficient folks have a flu shot, medical providers might be overwhelmed.
  • The flu shot is protected, efficient and takes 12=14 days to be efficient. Do not delay – have yours at present. To seek out out all concerning the flu vaccine click on right here.

RELATED: 7 Aspect Results of Carrying a Face Masks

Female doctor holding COVID-19 vaccine vial and taking liquid solution out with syringe; prevention and immunization from corona virus infection.
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As I write this, no COVID vaccine has but been authorised in america, Nevertheless, the MHRA has authorised the Pfizer mRNA vaccine to be used within the UK.

I wish to say that as a physician, and having lived via this pandemic like everybody else and seen the devastation it has precipitated, I might be first within the queue to have it, together with my husband who has most cancers.

I learn that solely 21% of People plan to be vaccinated – that is very unhappy information certainly. The most typical cause for not having it, is concern over uncomfortable side effects. I can say with absolute certainty that in case you have a COVID an infection, this might be far riskier than having the vaccination.

Unwanted side effects reported from using the COVID vaccine in medical trials are gentle and severe uncomfortable side effects are very unusual.

Doctor holding digital tablet at meeting room
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One factor in life is bound: What goes up, should come down! We are going to get via this pandemic, however how superb it will likely be to see a surge down, as a substitute of the unstoppable surge up – occurring simply now.

The virus can’t bounce up and infect different folks by itself. It wants people to offer the vector for transmission.  As a species, we simply must be cleverer than the virus.Take heed of all of the factors on this put up and keep protected.  If you have not been contaminated up to now, you should be doing one thing proper! However get knowledgeable, keep updated, and comply with the science, and to guard your life and the lives of others, and do not go to any of those 35 Locations You are Most More likely to Catch COVID.

Dr. Deborah Lee is a author for Dr Fox On-line Pharmacy.

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