Stoics reflect on character strengths such as wisdom, patience and self-discipline, which potentially make them more resilient in the face of adversity. They try to exemplify these virtues and bring them to bear on the challenges they face in daily life, during a crisis like the pandemic. They learn from how other people cope. Even historical figures or fictional characters can serve as role models.
Dr. Sanjay Maggirwar, chair of the George Washington University School of Medicine’s department of microbiology, immunology and tropical medicine, recently told CBS MoneyWatch that researchers think coronaviruses “can stay on surfaces in their fully active states for at least 10 days. That includes cash and all kinds of other surfaces that people normally touch. So certainly with the coronavirus, cash handling is a concern.”
A recent study suggests that two meters may not be far enough away if someone lets an uncovered cough loose in your direction — meaning sneeze and cough etiquette is more than a simple social nicety, but a key to stopping the spread of diseases like COVID-19. By the time you react to your neighbor’s cough, it is probably too late; it has reached you.
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have been used for decades as a treatment for malaria, and are generally well-tolerated; but one major complication is the risk of a serious heart rhythm problem called “QT prolongation,” the Brazilian authors said. As such, the drugs are not safe for people with heart rhythm problems, or arrhythmia, Live Science previously reported.
Fifty-three patients received the antiviral drug remdesivir (Gilead Sciences) as apart of a “compassionate use” clinical trial. Please note that this was not the gold standard double-blind, placebo-controlled approach that would offer more definitive evidence of efficacy. In addition, the experiment included only 53 patients from the USA and around the world. So grain of salt: We cannot yet conclude that the drug works.
Alas, the evidence that face masks provide effective protection against repiratory infections remains scarce, as acknowledged in the aforementioned recommendations from the United Kingdon and German, respectively. Of course, those of us who are medical professionals use them commonly as a part of droplet precautions when caring for those with respiratory infections.
To practice the best hand washing practices, wet your hands with clean, running water. Apply soap, and lather up your hands, including between your fingers and under your nails, for at least twenty seconds. Then rinse under clean, running water and dry using a clean towel (or air dry). I then use the paper towel to turn off the water, and as well as a barrier between me and the door handle on the way out.
Asa result of implementing best practices for infection control, none of the healthcare staff contracted the virus during the study period. Furthermore, no hospital-acquired infections occurred after six weeks.