NEW YORK (TURKISH JOURNAL) – By Nishat Mirza – “This is not a time for panic – it is time to be prepared.” The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres remarks on coronavirus.
NYC Mayor, Bill de Blasio briefed the press, on March 4th, 2020, when a man in Westchester County, and a woman recently returned from Iran, living in Manhattan have been confirmed to have the infection.
Are we prepared to tackle this novel virus?
“This is not a time for panic – it is time to be prepared.” The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres remarks on coronavirus.
The World Health Organization declares the risk of COVID19 to be very high globally as more than 90,000 people worldwide have been infected and killed hundreds.
NYC Mayor, Bill de Blasio briefed the press, on March 4th, 2020, when a man in Westchester County, and a woman recently returned from Iran, living in Manhattan have been confirmed to have the infection.
Are we prepared to tackle this novel virus?
No one has ever been infected with COVID19 until recently in Wuhan, China. Center for disease control and prevention, (CDC) is monitoring the spread of the virus very closely. The moment anyone gets infected, the virus changes its shape to become stronger to survive and harm its host.
Human body, especially those whose immune system have been compromised, are less susceptible to cope with COVID19. The virus is mainly affecting the lungs, once contracted, it affects the upper respiratory tract, starting from a sore throat, to dry cough and eventually targeting the cells of the Lungs. Healthy People with a Strong Immune System are most likely to tackle the virus effectively.
How do people get infected with COVID19?
The spread of the Virus is similar to common cold or FLU virus. It spreads from sneezing and coughing of the infected person, if you pick up the germ from your hand and then touch your face, and stay in close contact with the infected person for at least 15 minutes, you may get infected. Therefore, refrain from touching your face when you are outside, wash your hands frequently with soap and dry your hand immediately after washing thoroughly.
The symptoms includes sore throat, dry cough and then high fever. By this time you must contact your physician and self isolate yourself, which is the most effective way of not spreading the virus.
When asked to NYC Mayor De Blasio, if we should wear a mask at all times, he and his team of doctors suggested, it is advised to those who are feeling sick to wear masks only. Healthy people are not advised to wear masks.
The lawyer who got infected in Westchester, his entire family; wife, and two children are being monitored and they are being isolated at their home. The seven colleagues who worked with the infected lawyer and one intern, are also being isolated and tested. The COVID19 test kits are readily available in NYC as the Mayor’s team requested from CDC for a fast community testing of the outbreak. In many other States of the United States, physicians required more time to request the COVID19 test kit and then take DNA samples to conduct the test. In New York, we are more well equipped to halt the spread of COVID19 at this time.
The 16 people who have been investigated the past week, have been tested negative including the husband of the infected women who traveled from Iran recently. When asked, if NYC has enough ventilators, since most of the patients have breathing problems, and also knowing the fact that most of the medical devices are made in China, the Mayor assured us that NYC is well equipped and it has a large stock to handle emergency situations.
Health Commissioner, Dr. Barbot said, “ We have received an unprecedented collaboration between the Mayor’s office and the NY state government personnel to tackle this outbreak.
Health commissioner suggested, those who are afraid and experiencing anxiety can take the FLU shot, to make sure at least you do not get the flu. The FLU shot is no means to protect yourself from the virus, however, it will save you from unnecessary worries by at least not getting the common cold.
Dr. Barbot also explained how the COVID19 virus is less potent than the Measles virus, which we all got vaccinated at an early age. Therefore, the precautions we can take, is wash your hands frequently, keep your immune system strong by keeping healthy and most importantly, don’t panic but prepare.
Finally, if you need any assistance and question on self isolation and COVID19 testing, call 311
