Coronavirus Made Simple

Your Healthcare Team here at UCGH have been answering a bunch of questions about this virus. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation within our community, and there are a few questions that we seem to hear over and over. So, here is a simple primer. 

1. Why is personal distance of 6 feet a thing? The measles virus can be spread through the air because it can literally float on the microscopic dust in the air. If you walk into a room in which someone with measles had coughed hours before, it is possible to get the measles from inhaling the floating virus. Coronavirus is primarily transmitted by droplets from the nose or mouth. When the infected person coughs or sneezes, they fire droplets from the mouth or nose that can only travel a few feet before settling out onto a surface like a floor or a counter. Standing 6 feet away minimizes the risk of being hit by those droplets. That is why N95 masks are not needed for the general public with COVID-19.

2. Why does handwashing work? If the corona infected person rubs their nose or eyes, or coughs into their hand, the virus lives in those droplets on their hands. They then touch a doorknob, TV remote or a sink nozzle and poof, the virus is now on that surface just waiting for you. You touch that doorknob or TV remote, and now it is on your hand. At this point, you are still OK! It is not until you touch your face (nose, eyes, or mouth) that you get yourself infected. The virus needs to come in contact with a mucus membrane (mouth, nose, eyes) to infect you. If you wash your hands before you touch your face with an alcohol solution or soap and water, the virus is killed, and you are safe! That is why washing your hands prevents a respiratory illness. By the way, turning on the sink with dirty hands contaminates the faucet. Once you wash your hands, turn the water off with your elbow to prevent getting the virus back on your hands.

3. Can I just use my sleeve? Using your sleeve just gives a false sense of security. You are not really protecting yourself like you may think. The virus is thought to be able to live in the droplets on your clothes for 48 hours. So, when you pull your contaminated sleeves up with your hands, you have now put the virus on your hand, and now you are back where you started. It is better to just wash your hands and do not touch your face.

4. Where can I get tested? Despite the repeated press conferences from the government saying that testing is readily available, it is not. Large parts of the country are still only able to test the very sickest patients. If you are healthy and are not having any severe symptoms, do not come to the ER for a test: You will not get one. I would recommend that you stay home and isolate yourself if you have mild symptoms or exposure to COVID-19.  If you begin having more severe symptoms, please call the Emergency Room for further instructions.

5. When should I go to my doctor? The simple answer is when you have difficulty breathing or can’t hold down fluids. If you are having mild symptoms (fever, body aches, dry cough), stay home, and self-isolate. By going to the doctor, you risk spreading the virus to others, including us, your healthcare givers. If you go to the ER, we will see you but, if you are only having mild symptoms, you will likely be sent home with no COVID-19 test, no treatment, and a hospital bill.  We have begun telemedicine in the Clinic, if you would like an appointment via telemedicine, please call the clinic at 575-374-2273.  This will allow a venue for ongoing treatment, medical advice and prescription refill for our community.  This is easy and keeps you compliant with social distancing and keeps you safe from risk of infection or infecting others.

6. There have been reports out in France that people that take anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, Motrin, Midol, Aleve or Naprosyn) may have worse outcomes with COVID-19. As of recently, the World Health Organization has reviewed all of the data and released a statement that those that are using anti-inflammatories do not need to stop. If you have concerns of this, please call the Union County Health Center and make a Telemedicine appointment with your provider.

7. You have likely heard about chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and some HIV drugs now being used to treat COVID-19. Most of that information is irrelevant to you. If you have mild symptoms, do not ask your doctor or come to the ER to get them. While there is some evidence that these medications might help, there have not been any well-done studies yet to support their general use. These medications have NOT been cleared by the FDA for treatment and are not being commonly prescribed for mild symptoms. Hospitals have been using these drugs on the sick and dying in larger infected communities. We are not going to be writing prescriptions for these medications in the mildly symptomatic, so don’t ask.

8. What is your healthcare givers doing to keep you safe.  We here at UCGH, our providers, nurses, and all staff want you to know that the health and wellness of our community is our top priority.  We want to reassure you that we are doing what we ALWAYS, ALWAYS have.  And that is to maintain a very high level of cleanliness and sterilization within our facilities.  We have ALWAYS worn gloves during the treatments and procedures, and we will continue to do so.  We have ALWAYS washed our hands thoroughly between every patient and will continue to do so.  We have ALWAYS followed CDC’s guidelines along with safe, clean medical practice.  We have numerous handwashing sinks with soap and water, alcohol foam dispensers and other means to disinfect and clean between patient visits.  We have ALWAYS sterilized our instruments between patient use and procedures.  We also ALWAYS clean and disinfect other devices between patient uses.  Many of our patient supplies are one-time usage and thrown away.  We have ALWAYS used clean linens with every patient, along with towels and other supplies.  We have increased wiping down and cleaning of surfaces, including door knobs, handles and faucets.  We have instituted, with the Presidents permission, the use of Telemedicine for patient care in the clinic.  We have limited the visitation to the hospital in order to keep our staff from infection.  

9. Battling misinformation in Union County, here’s the real scoop.

Wash your hands. Stay 6 feet from each other and stay well.  And if possible, stay away from hot spots in our country where the virus has infected numerous members of their community.  We have a duty to protect our most vulnerable, our elderly, and patients with multiple chronic health issues.  Do your part, be apart of the solution to slow this virus down.