COVID-19 THREAD
So here’s what doctors, researchers and the CDC say you can do now — and in the event of a future outbreak — to prepare and protect yourself
‘Don’t panic’
Timothy Brewer is a professor of epidemiology and medicine at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health and its
So here’s what doctors, researchers and the CDC say you can do now — and in the event of a future outbreak — to prepare and protect yourself
‘Don’t panic’
Timothy Brewer is a professor of epidemiology and medicine at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health and its
David Geffen School of Medicine, yet his central piece of advice is not exactly medical.
“Don’t panic,” he said. “There’s no value in panicking or telling people to be afraid. Don’t let fear and emotion drive the response to this virus. That can be extremely difficult because it
“Don’t panic,” he said. “There’s no value in panicking or telling people to be afraid. Don’t let fear and emotion drive the response to this virus. That can be extremely difficult because it
is new, and we’re still learning about it, but don’t allow fear of what we don’t know about the virus to overwhelm what we do know.”
Brewer said it’s important to remember that covid-19 is a respiratory disease, as is influenza, and while there’s not a vaccine for it,
Brewer said it’s important to remember that covid-19 is a respiratory disease, as is influenza, and while there’s not a vaccine for it,
there are tried-and-true ways to deal with this type of illness — which we will cover here.
The basics
A few minutes into a phone call with a reporter, Brewer paused, coughed and then explained himself. “I’m currently recovering from a non-covid respiratory virus,” he said.
But the precautions he took when fighting his influenza-like illness are
A few minutes into a phone call with a reporter, Brewer paused, coughed and then explained himself. “I’m currently recovering from a non-covid respiratory virus,” he said.
But the precautions he took when fighting his influenza-like illness are
different from what people should be doing every day to stave off coronavirus and other respiratory diseases, Brewer said.
You have seen the guidance before: Wash your hands regularly. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. And when you’re sick, stay home from work or school
You have seen the guidance before: Wash your hands regularly. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. And when you’re sick, stay home from work or school
and drink lots of fluids.
The CDC recommends washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose or sneezing. It also advises not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth and to clean objects and surfaces
The CDC recommends washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose or sneezing. It also advises not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth and to clean objects and surfaces
you touch often — a common household cleaner will suffice.
“These are all things you can do to prevent the spread of pretty much any respiratory virus,” Brewer said.
And for the record, he added, he stayed home sick last week.
“I practiced what I preached,” Brewer said.
“These are all things you can do to prevent the spread of pretty much any respiratory virus,” Brewer said.
And for the record, he added, he stayed home sick last week.
“I practiced what I preached,” Brewer said.
