INMO good advice on Corona Virus

[Jancruz]

I dont know this doctor but whether or not its real IMHO it makes a lot of sense..

 

Abdu Sharkawy

March 5 at 6:45 PM

I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared.

I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess.

I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even 
imagine?

I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession.

But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous.

I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts.
Our children will thank us for it.

 

Jancruz1

[Petoonya]

Thank you Jan. A real voice of reason.

[Jancruz]

4 minutes ago, Petoonya said:

Thank you Jan. A real voice of reason.

Thats what I thought thanks fr answering..

Jancruz1

[WaterView2]

Here is a recent interview of the US Surgeon General, Admiral/ Dr. Adams, with a Greta Van Susteren, a respected journalist. He tries with the information currently available to answer all the questions people have.

 

https://www.fullcourtgreta.com/video/2020/03/08/overtime-surgeon-general-dr-jerome-adams-explains-whether-americans-should-go-large-gatherings/

[Jay23]

The voice of reason.   Thank you for sending that Jancruz.  I have been so frightened by all of the  media information, but non of the information has actually said anything to guide us through this apparent catastrophe.    J

[HilsTas]

1 hour ago, Jancruz said:

I dont know this doctor but whether or not its real IMHO it makes a lot of sense..

 

Abdu Sharkawy

March 5 at 6:45 PM

I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared.

I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess.

I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even 
imagine?

I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession.

But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous.

I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts.
Our children will thank us for it.

 

Jancruz1

 

Many thanks Jan - it is worth re-reading. 

 

[TrulyBlonde]

Steve Lookner

 

@lookner

 

BREAKING: State Department says US citizens should not travel by cruise ship

Quote Tweet

 

Travel - State Dept

 

@TravelGov

· 8m

U.S. citizens, especially with underlying conditions, should not travel by cruise ship. #CDC notes increased risk of #COVID19 on cruises. Many countries have implemented screening procedures, denied port entry rights to ships and prevented disembarking. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html?fbclid=IwAR23mRlu4-382HLuSM8i0KWQBSaZ4heDniggmxR3kBR6e2EgWiKr6B0EseM

[jackdeb]

Thank You Jan

This letter does make sense for us all, I hope more people read and understand what it all means. 

Unfortunately there are still too many people with an overwhelming sense of entitlement that think this does not apply to them. 

Jack

[Paulchili]

Jan - thanks for posting and agree with much said there.

However, it depends on the individual person as to how much fear or panic one feels.

If one is 30 or 40 and in good health, one should not panic; if one is over 70 and has heart condition or other severe underlining illness one should be scared to death because if that person gets it, he/she will probably die.

So it is hard to generalize as to how afraid we should be.

Edited March 8, 2020 by Paulchili

[tocruiseguy]

This "essay" is making the rounds on social media.  Perhaps it makes sense but I don't think anyone really knows the source.  I am always skeptical of anything I read that isn't from a legitimate news organization.  

[newlondon]

tocruiseguy, Remember that legitimate news organizations like to sell content. Soothing reassurances don't accomplish that objective.

[Jancruz]

35 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

Jan - thanks for posting and agree with much said there.

However, it depends on the individual person as to how much fear or panic one feels.

If one is 30 or 40 and in good health, one should not panic; if one is over 70 and has heart condition or other severe underlining illness one should be scared to death because if that person gets it, he/she will probably die.

So it is hard to generalize as to how afraid we should be.

Paul, you and I usually agree but in this case we part company..if being scared helps I would say go ahead..but being scared and acting prudently are two different things..in a way that is what the letter above states..I remember when my kids were little and they were worried about something..I would tell them, if it helps to worry go ahead, if it doesnt lets wait and see what happens..I dont think being scared to death helps the situation ..I believe being calm and being prudent in  your activities is the best solution..

Love to you,

Jancruz1

[Jancruz]

40 minutes ago, tocruiseguy said:

This "essay" is making the rounds on social media.  Perhaps it makes sense but I don't think anyone really knows the source.  I am always skeptical of anything I read that isn't from a legitimate news organization.  

I said from the get go I dont know where it came from..but wherever it did it makes sense to me..everyone can choose to feel as they want to..I choose to take that advice!

Jancruz1

[RJ2002]

48 minutes ago, Jancruz said:

I said from the get go I dont know where it came from..but wherever it did it makes sense to me..everyone can choose to feel as they want to..I choose to take that advice!

Jancruz1

 

It is legit.  You can Google his name Abdu Sharkawy and find he's a doctor with University of Toronto.  

Edited March 8, 2020 by RJ2002
spelling

[d9704011]

6 minutes ago, RJ2002 said:

 

It is legit.  You can Google his name Abdu Sharkawy and find he's a doctor with University of Toronto.  

As you say, perfectly legit.  I watched him being interviewed this morning on CBC.  If others are interested, here is a link:

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/take-special-care-with-elderly-covid-19-cases-says-specialist-1.5490321

[LuAnn]

3 hours ago, Paulchili said:

Jan - thanks for posting and agree with much said there.

However, it depends on the individual person as to how much fear or panic one feels.

If one is 30 or 40 and in good health, one should not panic; if one is over 70 and has heart condition or other severe underlining illness one should be scared to death because if that person gets it, he/she will probably die.

So it is hard to generalize as to how afraid we should be.

 

Paul...we have just cancelled a T/A for April on HAL...we both really wanted to go as we were meeting our German cruising friends in Amsterdam...but Kenneth's cardio doctor said he didn't think he should go...he will be 84 in July and has cardio vascular disease. You know me...I LOVE to cruise...but Kenneth's health is of course the #1 concern. Our situation may be very different than others..because of Kenneth's age. Let's hope for everyone's sake that we can all stay healthy...no matter what decision we make regarding cruising right now! 🙂 Best to you and Marsha!!

[Queen of DaNile]

"If one is over 70 and has heart condition or other severe underlining illness one should be scared to death because if that person gets it, he/she will probably die." Wow-probably will die???

[drkitkat123]

I do not know. I am a physician in my 50's and I am very scared about this. To me something that has an even 1% mortality rate is very significant and if it becomes really pandemic we will all have people we know dying.

[Paulchili]

59 minutes ago, Queen of DaNile said:

Wow-probably will die???

Yes - not definitely but very likely.

[Paulchili]

1 hour ago, LuAnn said:

 

Paul...we have just cancelled a T/A for April on HAL...we both really wanted to go as we were meeting our German cruising friends in Amsterdam...but Kenneth's cardio doctor said he didn't think he should go...he will be 84 in July and has cardio vascular disease. You know me...I LOVE to cruise...but Kenneth's health is of course the #1 concern. Our situation may be very different than others..because of Kenneth's age. Let's hope for everyone's sake that we can all stay healthy...no matter what decision we make regarding cruising right now! 🙂 Best to you and Marsha!!

Can’t blame you LuAnn - I think you are doing the right thing.

[Jancruz]

3 hours ago, LuAnn said:

 

Paul...we have just cancelled a T/A for April on HAL...we both really wanted to go as we were meeting our German cruising friends in Amsterdam...but Kenneth's cardio doctor said he didn't think he should go...he will be 84 in July and has cardio vascular disease. You know me...I LOVE to cruise...but Kenneth's health is of course the #1 concern. Our situation may be very different than others..because of Kenneth's age. Let's hope for everyone's sake that we can all stay healthy...no matter what decision we make regarding cruising right now! 🙂 Best to you and Marsha!!

I agree also..

Jancruz1

[DeanoNorthPerth]

[LuAnn]

22 hours ago, Paulchili said:

Can’t blame you LuAnn - I think you are doing the right thing.

 

Thanks Paul!! A disappointment but better safe than sorry at this point!!

[Mura]

For other reasons we don't have anything booked now, or even in the future.  But if we DID -- we would cancel, given the warnings we have been hearing.  DH is 84 as of a few weeks ago and has a stage 2 cancer diagnosis although his condition does seem stabilized.  I'm somewhat younger and don't have any medical concerns -- at least none that we know of!

 

BUT ... Better safe than sorry.  It's not just a concern about being infected by the virus.  It's a question of whether ports will let us visit.  Whether we can get to the embarkation port or home given flight cancellations, and perhaps beginning and ending ports being changed.

 

We were on a Marina cruise a few years ago which had an outbreak of Noro.  With all of the cleaning the crew was doing, the closed areas (library, etc.), it wasn't the cruise we wanted.  We still enjoyed it ... but it wasn't the completely enjoyable memory we had of other cruises.

 

And our hearts go out to the crew who work so hard normally ... and have to work even more when a situation like this arises.

 

 

[Justalone]

22 hours ago, DeanoNorthPerth said:

?