2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV (first named); COVID-2019
(later named disease); SARS-CoV-2 (final name of the virus causing COVID-2019),
COVID-2019 Pandemic:
DON’T PANIC, be concerned, but don’t
panic. It just makes everything worse.
March
19, 2020 update Part 11
Paul
Herscu ND, MPH
Herscu
Laboratory
This is the eleventh piece of writing on the current epidemic. Please read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9 , and Part 10 for context and also, please read my other writing on this site for a larger context on the overall topic of public health and epidemics.
Well,
That Was Quick
It has been only 24 hours since the last update and
I just wanted to sort of breathe a sigh of relief. Finally! Yesterday, I
mentioned that I think the government should rush through the vaccine and not
wait 18 months. And I also said that I have really high hopes on a few drugs,
especially chloroquine. Today President Trump said that he is going to rush
through the vaccine AND rush through the testing for chloroquine. I mentioned
from the start that this should be thought of as waves, and that we can really
stop this first wave, which is how they began to discuss it this time. That,
and a few other indications, make me feel like the White House is now reading
these updates. And I am very happy with that. Primarily, as they describe in a
simple manner where we are, why people are doing what they are doing, and the
future direction of what could and should be done. This is really the fastest
changeover I have seen. And if things continue as I think they could, and think
they should, with fast action from now on, I still stick to my initial
comments. If we do things right, from now on, instead of seeing 2-3 million
dead as predicted, we will see in the hundreds, or a few thousand, in this
first wave. Much, much less than others predict, much, much less than the flu,
etc. But what I said at the start. I know this seems ridiculous to many right
now, and really out of touch with the numbers given the feeling that since we
have over let’s guess 30,000-50,000 infected (11,236 official confirmed) now
and 161 that have died, that we would overrun the hundreds to thousands in the
next week or two. But I do not believe this has to be the case. We still have
enough time to implement well and divert a massive tragedy. So, whoever is
giving the White House these updates, thank you, THANK YOU, and keep going!! To
be clear we are not out of the woods, even by a long-shot. Decisions still need
to be made and enacted properly and efficiently, but it does seem like that may
be finally occurring. As they say, ‘We have all the time we need, if we start
now!’
Regarding my comments on the naturopathic side of
the equation. Aside from the public health measures that you/we are all taking, while the government and
public health folks work on limiting spread, killing the virus etc. (actions not within your control), you taking
care of yourself and helping your own immune system is within you control. I think homeopathy has a role there. Tomorrow,
as a separate post in itself, I would like to make a comment on this side of things.
It will be short, and to the point, but I hope it will diminish the odd comments
I currently see in the community.
One way or another this wave will end. It only
matters how impactful this virus is to us. And I still say this is not a
medical question but a political public health question. Let’s keep making the
right decisions now. Some of you can impact public policy. Push for this
strategy. Thank you for doing this. Unsung heroes!
In
health to you and your loved ones,
Paul
Herscu ND, MPH
