1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19

COVID-19 Coronavirus and Lung Health: What can you do?

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Mar 1, 2020

Good morning- I have hesitated to post anything about this new and dangerous group of viruses because I am certainly not qualified to discuss any science. And certainly not about genetics and viruses. But I can discuss how we can lessen our fears, be as prepared as we can and very simply if we get it, what do we do?

First of all the COVID-19 is the name for many similar viruses. It's not just one. It is believed to have started by bat guana in Wuhan, China. Wuhan is the very large capital of Central China’s Hubei province. It is a commercial center divided by the Yangtze and Han rivers. This virus spread very quickly, perhaps like the flu. And because of travel. it is spreading throughout the world, and it is here in America. This is a group of very dangerous viruses has the potential to kill and has. Many of us with breathing problems must be very diligent to protect ourselves as much as we can.

You can help protect yourself by doing these things:

Keep your hands clean. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Cover your cough and sneezes to keep germs from spreading to others. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces routinely. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick.

If you have these symptoms please see a doctor: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath

I know that a lot of us have at least two of these symptoms already. So if your shortness of breath or your coughs become worse and you feel ill then it is time to seek medical help.

Here are several sites that have addressed the Coronavirus for more information.

If you know of anyone who is ill please stay away from them. Passing along the facts about this group of viruses is the best that you can do to help others avoid getting ill.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

joelars | @joelars | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "Joe- I am quoting Colleen to respond to your post: "The intent of this group is..." + (show)
@merpreb

Joe- I am quoting Colleen to respond to your post: "The intent of this group is to provide a space for people maintain a social connection, help each other out and reduce anxiety during anxious times. The public should hold their elected governments to account. I suggest doing that in a constructive way on the channels where your voice will be heard, not here on Mayo Clinic Connect. Let's turn our focus to what we can do to stay healthy within the constraints and limitations of the current pandemic."
Should you wish to discuss this further, please contact Colleen here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

Jump to this post

how was my post non-constructive? I understand it wasn't your audience wants to hear. I believe science or truth was the guide regardless of personal bias

REPLY
1 reply
spudmato | @spudmato | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @coloradogirl "I have to respectfully disagree. What my kids are learning from this is that as a..." + (show)
@coloradogirl

I have to respectfully disagree. What my kids are learning from this is that as a country, we can band together to protect our weakest citizens and make small personal sacrifices for the greater good. Yes, some people are panicking but my kids are not. They are figuring out how to adapt to an unpredictable situation and take care of each other and their neighbors. As parents, I think that the example we set is important. The example that I am setting is to be calm and follow the advice of experts. Of course, it helps that my kids are all college educated and my daughter could explain the micro biology of coronaviruses to us.

Jump to this post

It is clear that you have nice kids.
The base is not education (although that helps in opening minds to ideas, etc.) it is the empathy that healthy well grounded people posers that will stand our country in good stead. Empathy is what separates sociopaths from those that care about the impact they have on others. Cheers for the good people among us - that is the very great majority. The apple usually does't fall far from the tree.

REPLY
joelars | @joelars | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@joelars I see a lot of numbers and percentages here. As a self-described research nerd, I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@joelars I see a lot of numbers and percentages here. As a self-described research nerd, I am curious about the source of numbers for your calculations and the underlying assumptions in making them.
Remember that covid-19 is a new virus in humans and noone has immunity yet. While it currently seems to be mild in much of the population, we are seeing how it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm our medical care system very quickly. We also do not know how it will mutate as it progresses, and it could potentially increase in lethality.
The reality is that if we do not do something to try to "flatten the curve" our resources will be overwhelmed. Look at China and Italy, the situations there are the reason for the current initiatives here.
This morning I spoke to an ER nurse in a metro area of 3 million people. Their current metrowide inventory of available ICU beds is under 20. To say the medical professionals are alarmed is a gross understatement. In the event of a rapid increase in critical cases, who gets care and who dies? Who decides?
We know that most people will get covid-19, and a significant number will get quite ill, requiring hospitalization. We also know that if we "flatten the curve", drawing out the period of time for spreading the infection, that the system will be able to absorb the caseload. With enough time, a vaccine may even come available to protect the most vulnerable among us. Something else to consider: if covid-19 overwhelms the care system, young healthy people will not be able to get care either, for unrelated illnesses, accidents or injuries...so it is in everyones' interest to sacrifice for the common good.
I believe this is a fairly long-term situation we will be dealing with, but adjustment is possible. We are already seeing that there will be economic pain, and if all of our businesses and government at all levels pull together to make things work, we will weather it.
Like some others here, my milennial children and nieces and nephews are adapting, figuring out how to survive and help those around them. If anything, they feel we are not taking the concept of social isolation seriously enough.
Suggesting that a society not do whatever it can protect the vulnerable because it is costly and economically painful horrifies me. I have no other word for it.
Sue
PS Some people do remember being "locked down" or quarantined due to a pandemic - it was called polio, and while I have no knowledge of what it did to the stock market, it sure affected our lives before vaccine was available.

Jump to this post

I appreciate but am surprised at your response. Why didn't you fact check my numbers and respond with your results? Because if you did you'd find the source is the CDC but there isn't any contrary numbers. Rather, than play hit and run, please tell me if you checked the numbers I quoted before your response, because if didn't why wouldn't you? And if you did then you knew my numbers were valid.
People, I'm losing faith her. I really thought the mayo Clinic was about the truth, the science.

REPLY
1 reply
joelars | @joelars | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @joelars "I appreciate but am surprised at your response. Why didn't you fact check my numbers and..." + (show)
@joelars

I appreciate but am surprised at your response. Why didn't you fact check my numbers and respond with your results? Because if you did you'd find the source is the CDC but there isn't any contrary numbers. Rather, than play hit and run, please tell me if you checked the numbers I quoted before your response, because if didn't why wouldn't you? And if you did then you knew my numbers were valid.
People, I'm losing faith her. I really thought the mayo Clinic was about the truth, the science.

Jump to this post

I meant "losing faith here"

REPLY
spudmato | @spudmato | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @joelars "how was my post non-constructive? I understand it wasn't your audience wants to hear. I believe..." + (show)
@joelars

how was my post non-constructive? I understand it wasn't your audience wants to hear. I believe science or truth was the guide regardless of personal bias

Jump to this post

Isn't that "confirmational bias" you are referring to?

REPLY
spudmato | @spudmato | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "I think most do not have alcohol but are just used to clean organic materials from..." + (show)
@johnbishop

I think most do not have alcohol but are just used to clean organic materials from the surface so probably wouldn’t work in this case 🙁

Jump to this post

Hydrogen peroxide 3%: It is generally available and will do the task of any wipe for hard surface cleaning: leave the spray on for one minute, and wipe it off the surface. Hope this helps ( I bought into it when I wan't able to obtain Clorox etc. wipes).

REPLY
1 reply
joelars | @joelars | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@joelars I see a lot of numbers and percentages here. As a self-described research nerd, I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@joelars I see a lot of numbers and percentages here. As a self-described research nerd, I am curious about the source of numbers for your calculations and the underlying assumptions in making them.
Remember that covid-19 is a new virus in humans and noone has immunity yet. While it currently seems to be mild in much of the population, we are seeing how it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm our medical care system very quickly. We also do not know how it will mutate as it progresses, and it could potentially increase in lethality.
The reality is that if we do not do something to try to "flatten the curve" our resources will be overwhelmed. Look at China and Italy, the situations there are the reason for the current initiatives here.
This morning I spoke to an ER nurse in a metro area of 3 million people. Their current metrowide inventory of available ICU beds is under 20. To say the medical professionals are alarmed is a gross understatement. In the event of a rapid increase in critical cases, who gets care and who dies? Who decides?
We know that most people will get covid-19, and a significant number will get quite ill, requiring hospitalization. We also know that if we "flatten the curve", drawing out the period of time for spreading the infection, that the system will be able to absorb the caseload. With enough time, a vaccine may even come available to protect the most vulnerable among us. Something else to consider: if covid-19 overwhelms the care system, young healthy people will not be able to get care either, for unrelated illnesses, accidents or injuries...so it is in everyones' interest to sacrifice for the common good.
I believe this is a fairly long-term situation we will be dealing with, but adjustment is possible. We are already seeing that there will be economic pain, and if all of our businesses and government at all levels pull together to make things work, we will weather it.
Like some others here, my milennial children and nieces and nephews are adapting, figuring out how to survive and help those around them. If anything, they feel we are not taking the concept of social isolation seriously enough.
Suggesting that a society not do whatever it can protect the vulnerable because it is costly and economically painful horrifies me. I have no other word for it.
Sue
PS Some people do remember being "locked down" or quarantined due to a pandemic - it was called polio, and while I have no knowledge of what it did to the stock market, it sure affected our lives before vaccine was available.

Jump to this post

@ueinana sorry sue in my last response I didn't identify who I was responding to. First: I addressed your question about "my numbers".
Second: I have questions for you: you say "..we know it will mutate as it progresses. and potentially increase in lethality" that is reason for alarm but what is your source for that proposition? It is not a good idea to just act on an unsubstantiated assumption, particularly when others have to pay such a severe price.? Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't the history of this family of viruses proved the opposite of your assumption? Don't we have similar lethality each year from influenza, without panic?
You state "no one has immunity" Again what is your source? Assuming the CDC isn't lying (and I can't find any statistics from other sources to cast doubts. If you can why aren't you disclosing them?) Further, we do know most (80+%) are highly resistant to the symptoms of this virus . While I don't know if that constitutes immunity if I don't get sick from a virus I'll take it as the functional equivalent of immunity.
You cite a nurse for the proposition that they(medical community) are alarmed and fearful of being overrun due to the virus. I agree with the nurse on both counts. And if you read the article from the infectious disease doctor working in the ER in the Toronto hospital the reason is panicky people come in with common colds and flus terrified they have this "deadly" virus. Who is responsible for that? If you didn't read his article and you are criticizing my response because you don't like it then what is the point of this? I promise you, give me any citations for your opinions and I will read them before I respond to you. And if the information provided is credible I will respect their opinions regardless of where it leads me. Fair enough?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Mar 18, 2020

In times of stress and uncertainty, it is important to remain civil. Many people, in many different locations of the world, are experiencing something entirely new. Each hour presents new challenges with public shutdowns and restrictions. We are all in this together and each of us is likely to face difficulty and disruptions in our personal lives.

While open discussion between members and safely sharing disagreements are what makes Connect a unique place, attacks or aggressive posts towards other members goes against community guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/):

- Remain respectful at all times.
- Exercise tolerance and respect toward other participants whose views may differ from your own. Disagreements are fine, but mutual respect is a must.
- Be inclusive. Not everyone shares the same religious or political beliefs. Don't impose your beliefs on others.
- Personal attacks against members or health care providers are not acceptable. Such posts will be removed.
- Do not use obscene or hateful language. Profanity, vulgarity and abusive language are out-of-bounds.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 18, 2020

I'm calling a brief time out.

Let's take a moment to reflect on what is helpful and true to the purpose of this community. Mayo Clinic Connect is a group of people working together to create safe, supportive, inclusive, and respectful space to improve the health and well-being of its members. See the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

The title of this discussion is "COVID-19 Coronavirus and Lung Health: What can you do?"
Across the globe public health agencies are making decisions based on ever-changing evidence. These decisions are having sweeping effects to our health, economy, socialization and our welfare. Like all of you, I worry about all the implications and ripple effects too.

I'd like everyone to return to "What can you, me, we do?"

Here are trusted news sources that are updated regularly to keep us informed:
– Mayo Clinic News Network https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/category/covid-19/
– Centers for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
– The World Health Organization https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Unfortunately isolating only high-risk populations is not enough as low-risk people can cause spread. Here is some information that helps explain the necessary measures:
– COVID-19: Flattening the curve https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-flattening-the-curve/
– How does the virus spread? https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#spreads
"The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected."

Community spread is real and we all have to do our part.

Mayo Clinic Connect is a safe, welcoming space to help get through this together. It is also a place free of the political debate that often plagues social networks. That type of debate is important too and there are good place to have that discourse elsewhere.

Personal attacks against any member are not tolerated and will be edited or removed. If you have questions, please contact me here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @joelars "@ueinana sorry sue in my last response I didn't identify who I was responding to. First:..." + (show)
@joelars

@ueinana sorry sue in my last response I didn't identify who I was responding to. First: I addressed your question about "my numbers".
Second: I have questions for you: you say "..we know it will mutate as it progresses. and potentially increase in lethality" that is reason for alarm but what is your source for that proposition? It is not a good idea to just act on an unsubstantiated assumption, particularly when others have to pay such a severe price.? Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't the history of this family of viruses proved the opposite of your assumption? Don't we have similar lethality each year from influenza, without panic?
You state "no one has immunity" Again what is your source? Assuming the CDC isn't lying (and I can't find any statistics from other sources to cast doubts. If you can why aren't you disclosing them?) Further, we do know most (80+%) are highly resistant to the symptoms of this virus . While I don't know if that constitutes immunity if I don't get sick from a virus I'll take it as the functional equivalent of immunity.
You cite a nurse for the proposition that they(medical community) are alarmed and fearful of being overrun due to the virus. I agree with the nurse on both counts. And if you read the article from the infectious disease doctor working in the ER in the Toronto hospital the reason is panicky people come in with common colds and flus terrified they have this "deadly" virus. Who is responsible for that? If you didn't read his article and you are criticizing my response because you don't like it then what is the point of this? I promise you, give me any citations for your opinions and I will read them before I respond to you. And if the information provided is credible I will respect their opinions regardless of where it leads me. Fair enough?

Jump to this post

@joelars, when citing numbers and information as you did in this post https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-coronovirus/?pg=10#comment-376607, it would be appreciated if you could quote your source and if possible provide a link to that source.
What article from the infectious disease doctor in the Toronto ER are you referring to?

Please provide citations.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.