General Wellness

NUMBERS CONTINUE TO RISE

Good morning.

There was a comment to keep my posts to under 50 words, but that is not possible. Today however, I’ll keep it short.

It is disappointing to see graphs like the one I saw this morning comparing the US to Europe and Asia with respect to Covid-19 cases. Most other parts of the world (excluding South American countries where there is a real Sh&%t show going on right now) showed a high peak and then a sharp, continuous drop to very low levels of new cases and deaths. Some countries even report numbers of daily deaths in the double digits or even single digits now. The US however rose dramatically, dropped a bit, and then basically plateaued. No continuous decline. After recent events, and at least half of the states reporting record daily numbers. We are still in the midst of the first wave.

What’s the difference?

In other countries, the has been much more aggressive, coordinated government policy of encouraging responsible wearing PPE and responsible personal behaviour and enforced actions to quell the pandemic. They have also done a great job of testing and contact tracing, isolating potentially infected people. In the US, it’s been the exact opposite. Here it seems like it has been more of an attitude of “every state for themselves” and “we don’t believe the science”. Yes the science has been changing, but that’s what happens with a new disease. We are learning every day. Clearly comments by our leader about “If you don’t test, you don’t see an increase in cases” doesn’t help. Dr. Sanjay Gupta basically said that this comment bordered on being criminal. I agree. 

We DID land on the moon.

There are no aliens among us.

The earth is not flat.

Tupak and Jim Morrison are dead.

And

PPE, especially wearing masks and physical distancing does help.

I heard a great commentary this morning. You might not be wearing a mask because you’re not worried about “getting it”, you should be wearing a mask because you should be worried about “GIVING it”.

Have a great Monday.

Stay safe and be well. 

AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻‍♂️🌎😷

SUPER SPREADERS vs SUPER POOR DECISION MAKING

In 1906, Irish immigrant Mary Mallon was a private cook for numerous families in New York during a typhoid fever outbreak. She had no symptoms but soon, more than 50 people for whom she worked became ill and a few died. She was eventually identified as an asymptomatic carrier and was infamously dubbed “Typhoid Mary”. 

The term “superspreaders” has been out there, describing people who may be unkowingly spreading more infection than others. Like Typhoid Mary, they are asymptomatic spreaders since they don’t have the symptoms of the disease but are still carrying live virus which they are spreading. With Covid-19, there are instances where a specific individual has been thought to infect many others, even as many as 50 or so, however all of these individuals were in social situations which predictably would result in mass infection. Overcrowded religious services, parties, non-compliant restaurants and social events, home gatherings…all where people were overcrowded, not distancing and with little mask use. 

Please be responsible. I know that wearing a mask is a pain. I wear one all freaking day long and it is a pain. But it is necessary. For you and for others. Please practice physical distancing but not social distancing sine we do need to be with each other. Although the standard 6 feet is a good ballpark, if you are around someone who is coughing or yelling, it may not be enough. Wash your hands and don’t touch your face. The practical basics.

PLEASE don’t look upon the following comments as any kind of political statement. I think politics are politics.  Most politicians are the same. They have red tape to deal with which we do not comprehend. They all have biases, influences and beliefs which must impact on their decisions. I look at the quality of a leader based on who they surround themselves with for advice (no one can know everything about everything) and the leadership and example they demonstrate. Although our present leader has employed very qualified advisors, he doesn’t seem to take their advice to heart. He makes public statements which he wants to believe are true, not that are factual. As far as leadership and example are concerned, he has failed on so many fronts. Recent comments about how the virus seems to be “burning out” or that “if we didn’t do any testing, we would have very few cases”, as well as his flagrant disregard for medical advice with respect to the medications he is taking or PPE he is using. Holding a political rally is so incredibly irresponsible it makes me want to pull my hair out!. There are many people who believe him and follow his lead. That is sad. 

He IS a suprespreader because his behaviors and comments result in misinformed people behaving in ways that put them and others around them at risk. 

Please don’t listen to him or follow his lead. In fact, be careful of everything you hear and read from any source, including me, since information is a moving target. Things I was recommending early on in this pandemic have turned out to be false. Do your research from legitimate and reliable sources and listen to the practical advice of practical people. But do the common sense, safe things. And don’t rely on a cure or miracle preventative treatment. Work on your own health, yourself. You have control over that.

Although I post a lot, I’m not great at reading comments so please don’t be offended if I don’t respond. Some recent ones were sent to me and were very flattering and I am honored. If anyone has any particular questions about Covid or any other topic, please message or email me at andrewchuma@gmail.com. I may not have the answer immediately but will research and get back to you. I am also learning every day. 

Also check out my website doctorchuma.com. I’m adding stuff to it frequently.

Stay safe and be well. 

AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻‍♂️🌎😷