Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 3-27-20

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Is There Any Good News About The Coronavirus Pandemic?
In the midst of the fear, worry, and uncertainty sur- rounding the coronavirus pandemic, each day seems to bring news that’s worse than the day before.
The cause for concern is justified. But, as in most major disasters, tragedies, and public health threats, there are reasons for hope, and even optimism.
The good news about the coronavirus pandemic.
• Most people with COVID-19 recover. Esti- mates now suggest that 99% of people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 will recover. Some people have no symptoms at all. And while thousands of people have died, the overall death rate is about 1% (or perhaps even lower), far less than MERS (about 34%), SARS (about 11%), or Ebola (90%), though higher than the aver-
age seasonal flu (0.1%).The loss of life related to this ill- ness is terrible and far more cases are ex-
pected, but based on the fatality rates alone, it could be far worse.
• Children seem
to be infected less often and have milder disease. According to the CDC, the vast majority of in- fections so far have afflicted adults. And when
kids are infected,
they tend to have
milder disease.
For kids and their
parents, that’s good
news. However, it’s im- portant to note that chil- dren can develop infection. A recent study from China early in the out- break demonstrated that a small number of kids, espe- cially infants and toddlers,
can develop serious infection. • As is true generally, it’s likely that kids canspread infection in the absence of symptoms, though how often this happens is unclear. It’s per- plexing, though fortu- nate, that this new coronavirus does not behave the way so many other ill- nesses do, in which the elderly and the young are particu- larly vulnera-
ble.
• The number of new cases is falling where the outbreak began. During his speech declaring the new coronavirus outbreak a pan- demic, the director-general of
the WHO pointed out that “China and the Republic of Korea have significantly de- clining epidemics.” In fact, Wuhan province (site of the very first cases) has just re- ported no new local cases for the first time since the out- break began. The only new cases were “imported” from travelers arriving there.
• The internet exists.
We currently have ways to practice social distancing that preserve at least some social and medical connections. People in isolation or quaran- tine can ask for help, visit friends, “see” family and doc- tors virtually, and provide up- dates on their condition.
• Our response to fu- ture pandemics should improve. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed short- comings in healthcare sys- tems throughout the world that provide an opportunity to improve them. For example, a faster global response, better and quicker distribution of testing kits, and more coordi- nated and coherent public
messaging should be expected the next time around. (No guarantees, of course.)
• Many people and or- ganizations have stepped up to improve the situa- tion. In the US, for example:
Some major health insur- ers have promised to cover care and testing related to COVID-19.
A number of celebrities and professional athletes have donated significant resources to help those taking a finan- cial hit by the pandemic, such as the workers at the stadiums where athletes play.
The bottom line
Make no mistake: the new coronavirus epidemic is a big problem that’s expected to be- come bigger in the weeks and months to come. For those who are infected as well as those trying to avoid infec- tion, these are trying times. But amid all the doom and gloom, there are some posi- tive stories, positive messages and reasons to remain hope- ful.
How To Keep Your Kids Healthy During
The Pandemic
With diagrams of how to properly wash your hands flooding the internet, you might think that’s the main way to prevent you and your kids from getting sick during the Coronavirus pandemic.
But boosting health and immunity requires a holistic approach that touches all ele- ments of daily life, from sleep to mental health, says Laura Gray, a clinical psychologist at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
One thing that may sur- prise you: “Kids already tend to have healthier routines than
their parents do,” Gray says. Their sleep tends to be more consistent, and with structured mealtimes and planned meals, their diets are often more nu- tritious. (Share this just-for- kids coronavirus 101 with your children.)
But it can be hard to main- tain these routines when every- one’s stuck at home. Thinking creatively about how to keep up these habits can go a long way toward ensuring a healthy household.
Here are a few tips.
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