(Some of you will remind me that I went from week 1 to week 12 in two months, and that I should perhaps go back to basic arithmetic class. However there is actually a reason. When I first started, I decided to label the weeks based on when I started posting. Somewhere in the midst of all this I decided to place the week numbers starting from mid-February, when it became clear to most of us that this was going to have a significant impact on the world.)
What we now know
We know the virus well and the disease it causes in humans.
We know ways to better treat critically ill people with COVID-19.
We can test for the acute illness as well as detect evidence of previous illness.
We know that social distancing works at slowing the spread of the virus through the population in order to preserve critical care resources for those who may need it.
Hydroxychloroquine does not help prevent or treat the severe complications of COVID-19.
95+% of the population is still vulnerable to the virus.
There are multiple treatment regiments and vaccines under study.
There have still been no proven water- or food-based outbreaks.
90% of cases have come from close contact with others in a crowded setting
A retrospective analysis of the spread of COVID-19 showed that the vast majority of outbreaks came from close contact with others who were ill. This was seen in exposures on public transportation, public and private events, religious gatherings, households, work settings, healthcare environments, and high density living situations.
This is important to note as some form of continued social distancing will most likely be helpful at slowing the spread of this disease. It will also be important to maintain good hand sanitization efforts and face mask use in public settings. The mandate to isolate oneself if you become ill will also be important, to missing work and school until your illness is identified will be very important.
When will all this end? I am still thinking 2-3 years until the virus becomes a background illness that infects people infrequently.
Dr. Gipson
What a beautiful picture you posted! I’m finishing my cardio workup (already did the echo which turned out well) which my cardiologist will send to you when it’s completed. Once that occurs, I’ll make an appt. with you so we can review your take on the results and complete any part of the workup you would normally do.
Kind regards,
Stuart
I look forward to catching up.
Hi Dr. Terry,
I love your self self deprecating sense of humor, and your fine analysis of the virus and it’s effect on our future.
How’s that for a complement? We both feel that way.😷😷
I haven’t been on your website lately so I really enjoy the photographic ART you post here too. I ‘ll look for this one online. The scene is one I know, but your color makes this interpretation special to me.
I’m still making two layer cotton masks with a flap in the inside for a third non woven layer. The single ribbon runs through both sides of the mask to form a loop around the back of the neck, then Up over over the ears and ties anywhere on or at the back of the head. Elastic can be substituted.
Let me know if you would like any. I charge $10.00 apiece. Five dollars of that goes to the Help and Hope Food Bank, Castle Rock. Or they are free as needed.
I trust your judgement so give people my phone number for masks as you deem appropriate.
I’m researching a more simple mask to give away by the dozens.
Stay Well, Reen
I would like 8 of your custom gourmet masks for the office. To whom do I address the check?
Can you address the many symptoms of Covid19 that we are hearing about?
Do you have any specific symptoms in mind? There are myriad manifestations, but the majority of people experience the typical syndrome of fever, cough, muscle aches, headache, and diarrhea.
We have questions about testing! What does it mean when “statements” are made that our goal is 100% testing? I believe you stated earlier that testing was needed if one exhibited symptoms of COVOD to determine if they do have the disease, or if one thought that they may have had the disease and could then be tested for antibodies. If everyone is tested, it is only a slice in time which does not tell us anything, and a waste of medical tests and time? Would you clarify that for us?
PS: Is it time for health rechecks to be scheduled at your office?
Testing gives limited information, and, as you mention, provides only a limited bit of information over a limited time frame. I consider that “100% testing” at present is a waste of time and resources as the disease is new still to the human population.
Nasal swab testing tells us who has virus in their nose now, not tomorrow or one month ago.
Antibody testing tells us who has antibodies, but not if the antibodies are protective and how much antibody one has. In the absence of a COVID-19-like illness occuring since December 2019, a positive antibody test is either falsely positive or indicates exposure only.
Testing when someone is ill makes sense, but when 98+% of us have not even been exposed yet, broad population based screening in the US makes no sense at present.
No visits til June.
The vast majority of the guidance around reopening business/retail is stating stay away if you have ANY of the following: headache, sore throat, fever, dry cough, recent inability to taste or smell, shortness of breath, ear aches [sic], body aches, diarrhea, fatigue, vomiting or abdominal pain. (taken directly from a sign posted at work). As a seasonal allergy sufferer with chronic sinus issues, several of those symptoms are a part of normal daily life. In general, what would you recommend to allergy / sinusitis patients on how to comply with broad health orders as we are currently seeing them?
I would just tell them you are not sick, and these are your usual seasonal allergy symptoms. How strictly they want to adhere to this notice without adding some degree of discernment appears to be up to the employer.
The breadth of these symptoms leaves for a wide latitude for interpretation and implementation.