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Thank you, JM, for bringing this excellent 9-minute video to
my attention. Take the time to watch it. It will
add to your understanding of COVID-19.
https://www.tmz.com/2020/03/22/coronavirus-survival-tips-video-animation-health/
The numbers as of today:
-
USA:
471 deaths
35,224 cases 1.34% death
rate
-
South Korea: 111 deaths
8,961 cases 1.23% death
rate
-
Germany:
11 deaths
26,220 cases 0.4% death
rate
Locally, our hospital is very stable, currently no
significant activity.
I show numbers from these 3 countries for a few reasons.
As you can see, every day, the US numbers are going up,
partially because we are testing with greater efficiency and
numbers. Because we have a terrific medical system,
our death rate is remaining relatively stable. But the
hospital system can quickly come under a surge and overwhelm
us. That is why it is so important to stay home!
South Korea is an example of how staying home works; notice
that their death rate is stable and in fact, slightly
falling in spite their total numbers of cases is staying the
same. They are under control. Why? Because
they are staying home! I show Germany's numbers every
day because their death rate is so low, even though they
have a reasonable number of cases (only 9,000 short of US).
Germany has a very sophisticated medical system which is
likely responsible for their low number of deaths.
They are also staying home!
But do not get fooled. We are safer for now, but heed
my warning. We are not safe if we do not stay home.
Using the CDC simulator, here are the Howard County
calculation. If 50% of Howard County gets infected,
31,000 people are projected to need hospitalization!
We cannot handle that surge! And this would result in
2,500 deaths. Let those numbers sink in, and then
follow my advice: STAY HOME and BE SAFE!
Therapeutics:
Hydroxychloroquine is an old drug used for malaria.
Over the last several decades, it has also been used as an
anti-inflammatory (Lupus, post-Lyme, to name a few). I
believe our government is ramping up the ability to make
this available. Azithromycin, also known as Zithromax,
may have some significant anti-viral activity.
Azithromycin is typically used for bacterial infections; a
recent small study in France predicts that
hydroxychloroquine, alone or in combo with Zithromax,
hastens clearance of the virus, decreases symptoms and
shedding of the virus. We will be hearing more about
this as time goes on.
The Jenner Institute at Oxford announced today that they may
have a vaccine in as little as 6 months. Good news, a
variety of biotechs are racing to have this!
Gilead Pharmaceuticals has Remdesivir which looks promising.
It is in phase 3 human trials now in China. I have
been in contact with the Chief Medical Officer to see if
they would be interested in helping develop the drug I
mentioned yesterday. They are overwhelmed and directed
me to the NIH; I've been in touch with the NIH and have sent
them information.
Finally, thank you to all of you that are sending out
information that my small group has been working with a
compound that might - just might - be helpful in patients
who are COVID+ and trending towards respiratory
insufficiency (shortness of breath, reduction in oxygen
saturation, need for high flow oxygen, transitioning towards
the need for mechanical ventilation). Thanks to the
collective efforts of social media, I am hopeful that this
will come to the attention of an entity (maybe biotech,
maybe NIH, maybe Government) that we can hand off what we
have and begin a new path of active investigation. I
will update you on these efforts daily. Remember that
American innovation is second to none:
(Houston we have a problem).
Or copy and paste:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=lTSVOnhLtCs
Corona music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOf1FLxpAGM
Want to feel good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLPiYZrwAzU Turn
it up LOUD and sing along!
Corona on a lighter note (once you click on link, be sure to
unmute at bottom right corner):
https://twitter.com/mmjblair/status/1241469802834800640/video/1
Stay put, be well---HAO
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