Coronavirus Update Today 2/28/20

Personal Preparedness

It’s a time to prepare. Some things you might consider doing for personal and family preparedness:

• Make and freeze a week or two’s worth of meals for you and those who live with you – things like casseroles, soups, pasta casseroles. Buy and freeze rolls that can be used one at a a time.
• A few cases of water are advised and never goes to waste if not needed at this time.
• Pre-order certain medications, especially generic antibiotics you may be needing, especially for those who pre-medicate for dental work, etc. Insurance companies routinely allow up to 3 months of medications to be ordered, usually for planned trips. 
• If you can find face masks, buy them. If not, order them online – they will still be about 2 weeks or more anticipated delivery. But, best to be safe.
• Buy disinfectant materials – disposable cloths, items with bleach in them such as Lysol, and begin engaging in a routine wiping down of your work station, your home area where you sit most often – do it at the same time every day and the habit of sterilizing after yourself will become habit easily.
• When you go to a store or a market with a shopping cart, use the normally provided wipes to wipe down the area you will put your hands on – or take your own packet of wipes with you and don’t hesitate to clean off a cart or a shopping basket.
• Consider getting a flu shot, if you have not had one. There is anecdotal evidence that antibodies to one flu may protect of the severity of getting a different flu. There are 6 known coronaviruses – Covid-19 is the 6th known about.
• If you own a company, what is your policy about allowing sick workers to stay home for the recommended 14 days? Communicate that to them in written form. If you are a worker and nothing has come to you from your employer, ask the question – it may get them thinking about creating that policy.
• Things to do – especially for children. Games, coloring books, reading materials, books, low-energy activities. Schools may close, and activities for children might be put on hold, so prepare to entertain them at home for a bit.
• Do you touch your face a lot? Most of us will say – no – no more than anyone else. Make note of just how many times you touch your face with your hands – once you are aware of it you can begin to change the behavior. Think of yourself wearing a “cone of shame” like a dog or cat who has had surgery – imagine it around your head and neck and think – this area is off-limits! And if you blow your nose, wash your hands well, as soon as you can.
• If you travel on a bus, train, or plane, and wearing a mask will make you feel more comfortable – do it! This is not the time to be shy or self-conscious. Take the steps you need to take for life to proceed along for you as best it can.
• Vacation? Think about rescheduling, and what will happen if you have to. Use a travel agent to buy even standard airline tickets. And buy travel insurance. Make sure you get a special policy to cover “cancel for any reason” because canceling for fear is usually not covered. You won’t get all your money back, but usually 75% of it. Think about traveling in-country and “see America first” rather than going to Italy or oversees in the near future.
• Business events, conferences, athletic events, etc. – think about how “all this” is going to impact your attendance. Can you push the dates out some, until we know just what it is we are facing and how it will develop?

National Front

(in no particular order or significance)

The Hong Kong Marathon has been cancelled.

More talk about the cancellation of the 2020 Olympics.

Italy has over 400 cases, and they are spreading from northern Italy to the south. Some churches, sporting events are canceled or played without an audience.

The Pope has a sniffle! God bless.

Saudi Arabia is closing its borders to surrounding countries.

Japan has closed all schools through March.

Israel is banning visitors from Italy, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Macao, Singapore, South Korea and Japan. They have also canceled the Tel Aviv Marathon. 1,500 Israelis are currently self-quarantined in their homes.

Countries bordering Iran are closing their borders.

Patient #1 may have been identified in California – having come into the system at least 2 weeks ago, she was not tested for the virus until just recently. It seems clear that the virus has entered the community. There may be many others infected, who have not gotten sick enough to reach the attention of the medical establishments.

Good news – China has seen fewer new cases – as cases expand throughout the world.

Good news – Israeli researchers are announcing promising success with a vaccine. Add in a Massachusetts company. Add in companies: Moderna, Gilead, and one with a very local RI tie – EpiVax.

Massachusetts: 600+ have self-quarantined – 377 released without symptoms – all had recently traveled from China or been with those who had. No one diagnosed so far.

In Rhode Island, 26 people were allowed to travel back to Rhode Island from a country where exposure had occurred, and were instructed “to not attend work or school, and to avoid public places and gatherings for 14 days. No one diagnosed with coronavirus.

Face masks are unavailable. A cursory route to CVS’s, Walgreens, Lowe’s, Home Depot, even Sally’s Beauty Supplies turned up nothing. A medical supply store said they were rationing how many they sold so medical personnel would not be left without. Online orders are either back ordered or with a week or more shipping, even Amazon Prime.

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