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

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@merpreb

@joelars- Good afternoon Joe. This is such an excellent question. Just now WHO is calling it a Pandemic. This means that it has reached most of the world. There are now over 118,000 people who have been affected by COVID-19, not counting the dead. Unfortunately, Joe, since this virus has become political and fodder for the press it's hard to tell if we are overreacting. There is no doubt that this virus is different than other flu viruses. Its entire structure is different and it's tiny, tiny.
I have chosen to confine myself and avoid any place that has a lot of people at some time during the day. I have had bronchitis and the flu. I've also been active until now. I've tried very hard to be sensible about my health and what I should avoid and when I shouldn't.
It's up to you to decide what you are willing to take a chance on doing. If it's in your community then the decision, to me would be different than if it's not. I tend to be overcautious. One less day ill with something other than COPD and lung cancer is fine by me.

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Replies to "@joelars- Good afternoon Joe. This is such an excellent question. Just now WHO is calling it..."

Joe and Merry, I'm starting to get boggled by the information overload and wondering also sometimes...am I overreacting. I have a practice and see patients two days/week, have put into place a protocol I feel somewhat comfortable with in the office....we are supplied with hand sanitizer, Clorox hard surface spray, Lysol, regular bar soap for me and office manager. Having patients sit about six feet from me (psychology practice) which is not ideal, but I feel necessary per guidelines. We're being super aware of trying to protect us and the clients also. We are calling in advance and asking about symptoms, and giving them option of rescheduling, depending on their comfort level. Several people have been relieved to be able to reschedule their appointments. Everyone is also as best I can tell, very understanding of why we are doing what we are doing in regard to infection control. In my local area, no cases confirmed as of today. I have decided that once it hits our county and neighboring counties, I will suspend appointments for a while. I am in Tennessee and yesterday there was quite an uproar when governor announced they would not say what counties confirmed cases are in.......but his decision was quickly reversed because people rose up and demanded transparency. I hate that this thing has become politicized but in today's world, there seems no way to avoid that. Politicians and the media may be exaggerating, or may be minimizing. I'm not one to trust the government or the media too much. Luckily, I have no serious or chronic illnesses but if I did, I think I would be staying at home as much as possible until more is known. I have cancelled one dermatology appointment because I don't want to go in physician's offices or hospitals. Best to both of you and hope that all of us can avoid catching this one.