The numbers:
US: 143,532 cases 2,572
deaths 1.79% fatality rate
Maryland: 1,413 cases 15
deaths 1.06% fatality rate
(89% of tests in MD have been
negative - 13,316 negatives)
Our Governor and his staff have taken this
seriously from the start. We are in an excellent
position to absorb a surge; we are ready with hospital
capacity and advanced life support capability. We
expect a significant increase in cases in the next 2-3
weeks. We can reliably trust that if one is exposed and
becomes infected with symptoms, it will present itself
with a 97.5% certainty within 11 days of the initial
exposure. The median time after exposure, if one will
present with symptoms, is 5.5 days.
I am following this predictive
model closely. It may change, improve or worsen depending
on what we do every day for the next 45
days.
Every day we become smarter about the biology of this
virus. And knowledge is power and power gives us the
upper hand to squash this, and we will.
Important reminders:
- Wash your hands when
you leave your house and return.
- Keep hand sanitizer
with you at all times; use it after touching
potentially contaminated common surfaces such as
handles, elevator buttons, grocery carts, etc.
- Do not touch your
face, eyes, or mouth. If you must, wash your hands
first with soap and hot water for 20 seconds.
- If you are coughing
for whatever reason (allergies, routine cold, or
possible COVID-19) cover your mouth with elbow or
tissue.
- If you are coughing
or if you are a health care worker, wear a surgical
mask. It helps to keep you from touching your
face. If you do not have a surgical mask, wear a
bandana; it protects you from spreading your
respiratory droplets.
- You can of course
walk your dog, but be sure to maintain 6 feet of
social distancing.
If you follow this advice, you will be safe!
Therapeutics:
- There is still no
clear cut guidance on the use of Advil and Aleve; so
Tylenol is the prudent one to use for now.
- Information on the
utility of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin: In
addition to the current Oz/Columbia study, there are
2 trials going on in Minnesota. One trial is using
Hydroxychloroquine alone for prophylaxis, and
another in combination with Azithromycin for
treatment. The scientific method is being employed
to understand whether or not this is a reasonable
strategy. I believe it is. To date, the evidence
favors that it is. Another study from France
continues to support earlier studies; 985 patients
who did not get the combination had a 1.2% death
rate (12 deaths). Those who were given the
combination (1,003) had a 0.1% death rate (1 death).
On a musical note (no pun intended):
Let's be a maniac and manic about these guidelines: Manic
Monday
And on a lighter note to make you smile:
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