I have received lots and lots of questions from my patients and from my community about Coronavirus and COVID-19. In addition, there are a lot of different opinions and information on the internet. This can cause confusion and increased anxiety and panic. In this article, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked of me this week. Now, if you are ill or if you are elderly and/or with many chronic medical problems, I would practice the most conservative method of Social Distancing, by staying home.
Question: Should I be avoiding restaurants and bars, especially with the upcoming St Patrick’s Day holiday? I have to be honest here. I really sympathize with our local restaurant owners. However, I would avoid crowded restaurants and bars. Maybe try to go during off hours, when they are not as busy, especially to make sure that you are at least 6-10 feet away from other people like the CDC recommends. I have seen a lot of restaurant owners on television who are emphasizing the constant cleaning that they are doing, and how they are trying to space out patrons. Especially in Ohio, it’s going to be a long 3 weeks trying to stay in the four walls of your home. If you’re not practicing strict social distancing, these are some guidelines to consider.
Question: Can I have a small group of friends at my home and still call that social distancing? I get this question a lot. We are naturally social creatures, and strict social distancing will be difficult. When it comes to having people in your home, you have to have a lot of trust - Trust that they are not ill, and trust that the people that are not in contact with them are not ill. If you choose to have people over, please practice good public health - Wash your hands, keep a good distance away from one another, try to avoid touching your face, and routinely disinfect.
Question: Should I be worried about going to the store? I think that this is a good time to use (or to try) online ordering and mobile pickup so that you don’t have to set foot in the store. If you must enter the store, try to go during non-peak times.
Question: Should I stop visiting elderly relatives? In the early data that we are learning from other countries, those who are at higher risk of complications of COVID-19 include the elderly and those with many chronic medical problems. If your elderly loved one lives in an assisted living center or a nursing home, I would really consider limiting visitation. Some of my elderly patients have been able to embrace technology, and have been able to continue to video chat with their family members to keep in touch. Unfortunately, many elders have a fear of technology, so other creative methods have to be implemented.
Question: If I have to self-quarantine, can I have friends over? Absolutely not! If you are in a situation of self-quarantine, you are at risk of infecting other people. So, you cannot leave your home, and no one can be in your physical space.
Question: How do you know if it’s COVID-19 or my typical allergy symptoms? With the first day of spring quickly coming, it can be difficult to distinguish between allergies and coronavirus. Typical allergy symptoms include sneezing, itchy nose, itchy eyes, runny/stuffy nose, and watery, red or swollen eyes. Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, with symptoms typically appearing 2-14 days after exposure.
Question: What are the best resources for information about COVID-19? For the best information, I recommended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Especially for Ohio, I recommend the Ohio Department of Health. And also, my twitter and facebook feeds :)