First, I’d like to send all of you a giant virtual hug. We’re in this crisis together, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather do this with than all of you.
We’ve made it through our first full week of “shelter in place” here in San Francisco. More than that, the shelter in place order in San Francisco and other Bay Area counties, may have helped lead Governor Newsom to issue a similar statewide order last Thursday. These sweeping orders were designed to curb the rapid spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by forcing community-wide social distancing through April 7; however, our sources and recent comments by the Governor indicate that shelter in place is likely to be extended through most or all of April. It could be much worse: one family’s grandma grew up in Korea during the Korean War. When asked how she was coping with home quarantine here in the US, she said “Are you kidding? We were bombed everyday back then, now I’m safe at home with wifi!”
The California order is not as detailed as some individual County orders—for example, the order doesn’t mention walking, running, or exercise outdoors as “essential activity”—but it appears that the State’s order is being interpreted to match the County orders. By maintaining at least 6 feet of distance between ourselves and others, we are permitted to visit the grocery store, the pharmacy, and exercise outside (with up to one other). For those at higher risk, if you have the wherewithal (and we recognize this isn’t an option for all), minimizing social contacts by shopping less and buying more or using Instacart for grocery delivery may be sensible. At GetzWell, we continue to see kids in the office for well-child and some acute visits (subject to pre-screening). And, telemedicine (virtual visits) is working well. We have observed that many of our younger children are more relaxed (and so cute) during these virtual visits. Don’t hesitate to ask us about how this works!
Now and in the coming weeks, each of us has a critical role to play in slowing the spread of this virus: We need to physically distance and isolate ourselves. Specifically, we all need to say NO to playdates, visits, gatherings, or any other activity with anyone outside of our immediate family. The sum of all of our individual actions to maintain this physical distance (and continuing to practice excellent hygiene, like hand washing) can and is slowing the rate of infection. This will help prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed with patients as this pandemic continues to sweep over the country. The goal is to disrupt the exponential growth of infection by physically isolating ourselves. This graph clearly shows how averting one case of COVID-19 now is exponentially more effective than averting one case seven days from now.
Unfortunately, some people, especially those in their 20s, are acting as though they don’t need to isolate themselves or practice social distancing right now. They are wrong. SARS-CoV-2 is not just a disease that affects older adults. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reflects that nearly 40% of the COVID-19 patients in the United States who were sick enough to be hospitalized were between the ages of 20 and 54. While it’s true that the mortality rate in this group is still lower than patients 60 or older, a subset of younger people are experiencing serious complications requiring hospitalization. In some instances they have recovered but with persistent lung damage.
As a whole, children still appear to be the least at-risk group, according to this recent study from China, and they have the lowest mortality rate. But they are still at risk. “Children are infected at rates that may be comparable to adults, with severity that’s much less, but that even within the kids, there’s a spectrum of illness and there’s a handful that require more aggressive therapy.”
In addition to doing everything I can to support physical distancing, I’m committed to continuing to strengthen our community during this crisis. I firmly believe that when I share the best information available to me, it helps bring us together. In our first two articles about the COVID-19 crisis, I addressed what the virus is, how many people have it, how it spreads, the symptoms, mortality rate, testing, treatment, travel, and how to protect your family. I also answered frequently asked questions, discussed how to flatten the curve and why you should be aware of local clusters of infection and offered suggestions for talking with your children about COVID-19.
In this third article, I provide updated information based on the best information currently available to me in this rapidly unfolding situation. Please also see my suggestions for finding your—and your family’s—new “normal” during these uncertain times. At the end of this article, we’ve included a list of fun online activities (many are quite educational) which you can share with your children.
How many people have COVID-19 today and does population density make a difference?
The numbers in the United States are increasing rapidly with New York now being the epicenter in the US. This map has the most up-to-date numbers. You can also check this map that’s updated daily for confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Bay Area. Additionally, most infectious disease experts believe (as do I) that the actual number of confirmed cases is severely understated due to the continued lack of widespread testing. It may be that social distancing in California, which started about a week sooner than New York, will turn out to be more effective than New York City, which has the greatest population density in the US (of cities 50,000 and >), with confirmed cases in NYC growing much faster than in the Bay Area and California (as of 3-24).
Has the understanding about COVID-19 transmission changed since the last article?
Our understanding remains basically the same. The virus is spread mainly from one person to another, most likely through droplets of saliva or mucus carried in the air for up to six feet or so when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Viral particles may be breathed in, land on surfaces that people touch, or be transferred when shaking hands or sharing a drink with someone who has the virus. It’s also possible for people to transmit the virus though they are not exhibiting symptoms. It’s vitally important to wash your hands thoroughly and avoid touching your face—especially eyes, nose, and mouth—unless your hands are clean. If your hands are not visibly dirty or greasy, using hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol can also help to keep your hands clean and help stop the spread of germs. Social distancing remains critical. Please don’t let your guard down.
But, you may also be wondering about the things we touch or buy at the grocery store. Or take-out meals. Can these things transmit the virus?
According to a new study from National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists in the New England Journal of Medicine, the virus was detectable when distributed via aerosols for up to three hours (which is unusual), up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. I keep reminding myself that SARS-CoV-2 does not have wings! These findings have not yet been reviewed by other scientists, and it’s important to remember that the length of time the virus can remain viable on a surface depends not only on the surface, but also on a variety of other factors including the ambient temperature, humidity, and whether it’s in direct sunlight. In general, viral loads break down faster in higher temperatures with lower humidity and on organic surfaces like cardboard. Higher humidity, moderate temperatures, low wind, and solid surfaces all help a coronavirus survive. In short, one of your best defenses against surface transmission is to wash your hands!
As for food, from everything we know so far, food does not appear to be a vector for transmission of the virus. That said, whether it’s a takeout container or packaged food from the grocery store, “a good rule of thumb is to treat anything that comes into your home from outside, whether food, mail, or other people, as potentially contaminated and act accordingly. Wash your hands after bringing it home, transfer to clean containers and/or sanitize packaging when possible, and wash your hands before, during, and after cooking.”
The next question, of course, is how to clean things. The Journal of Hospital Infection published a study earlier this month, noting that “human coronaviruses could be ‘efficiently inactivated’ on surfaces within one minute if they’re cleaned with solutions containing 62% to 71% ethanol alcohol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite, adding, ‘We expect a similar effect against the SARS-CoV-2.’” You can check the EPA’s list of disinfectants for coronavirus and related explanations here. Remember that soap and water is also very effective, so don’t stress if you can’t find a specific cleaning product for your home. Just do the best you can.
What about testing and treatment for COVID-19 including fevers and respiratory distress?
Widespread testing is necessary, but we don’t have nearly enough tests. If you suspect you have COVID-19, contact your doctor and tell them the symptoms you are experiencing. They will guide you in what steps to take next. In general, if you can support yourself at home, that’s what you should do—don’t go to a hospital unnecessarily. Whether or not you’ll qualify to be tested for COVID-19 will depend on a variety of factors, including your age, known exposure to the disease, and underlying health conditions. On the other hand, if you or a family member is experiencing severe respiratory distress (e.g., you can barely breathe) call your doctor immediately to determine if you should be hospitalized.
There have been conflicting statements issued recently about whether a person with COVID-19 symptoms (including a fever) should take acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol) instead of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to avoid aggravating the symptoms. While the World Health Organization initially suggested avoiding ibuprofen, they walked it back within a few days. The WHO currently states, “Based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen.” If you have questions about this issue, please reach out so we can have a nuanced discussion.
The above advice about what medication to take for a fever assumes that fevers need to be treated. Usually, fevers are not particularly harmful in infants and children. Fevers are part of the body’s effort to activate the immune system; they are one of the body’s innate protective mechanisms. In children, for example, most fevers are good because fevers help them to fight infection. Typically, fevers in kids only need to be treated if they cause discomfort, and these are usually fevers over 102 or 103° F (38.9 or 39.5° C). Furthermore, Tylenol is not as benign as people think. Even a single dose of it can deplete glutathione, the master antioxidant, and negatively impact the immune system. If you or other adults are experiencing a fever, contact your doctor about what, if anything you should take. Feel free to contact us if your child has a fever.
Companies are working around the clock to develop and test drugs and vaccines to treat and prevent COVID-19. Vaccines still appear to be at least 12 months away, but having a variety of other drugs or therapies to treat COVID-19 will undoubtedly prove extremely helpful. It’s unlikely that one or two drugs will be a panacea or a cure. As an illustration, preliminary studies indicate some efficacy in treating severely sick patients with the antiviral Remdesivir; however, it can only be introduced to severely ill patients via an IV in a hospital setting. Remember as you read the news that even though some companies may be saying they’re “weeks away” from a breakthrough to cure this disease, it is unwise to act as if an identified therapy is safe and effective until the data shows that it is. Moreover, I suggest tuning out any recommendations about new treatment options suggested by the President during his daily “news” conferences.
What are the signs, symptoms, disease progression and severity?
Our understanding of symptoms and disease progression remains largely the same, with the caveat that this study suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms (like diarrhea) may be a first sign of COVID-19. Again, keep washing your hands, even when you’re sheltering at home. We continue to believe that fevers are often one early warning sign, but remember that fever isn’t conclusive. The data is still showing that even after individuals have “qualified” for testing more than half of COVID tests are coming back negative. Of course, if you are aware that you have been exposed to COVID through contact with a person known to have COVID-19 please inform your doctor and our office as soon as possible.
Have travel recommendations changed?
You can check the current recommendations, by country, here. Shelter in place orders will also affect whether you can travel. Above all, though, common sense says stay home. We believe that all non-essential air travel should be avoided at least until more information becomes available.
Finding Your New Normal
For many of us, our lives have been totally upended over the past couple of weeks. Schools have closed, people who can work from home have been told to do so, and many of the things we used to rely on for our routines have shifted or disappeared. Depending on your employment situation, you may also be feeling a lot more stress. Without a doubt, this is an extremely challenging time, and a lot of experts are sounding off about how best to set schedules and make the most of your time. But they don’t know—this whole experience is new to all of us. You are the best person to discover how you and your family want to navigate this “forced retreat.” During this time we owe it to ourselves to do everything we can to keep calm, and I am finding that flexibility and adaptability to constant change is key. Here are a several concrete suggestions I’m following and I hope will serve you, too:
- Daily Meditation: One of the best things we can do for ourselves right now is to commit (or recommit) to a daily meditation practice. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and the benefits are myriad. If you’re looking for a quick-start, you can check out Vedic meditation teacher, Light Watkins, (also on Facebook and Instagram) and his book, Bliss More.
- Gratitude: Another extremely helpful daily practice is gratitude. For one thing, it helps us to focus on the positive things that are happening, rather than disappearing down an infinite scroll of gloom. As I promised back in January, I’ve continued my own gratitude practice. In the last week, I have found myself feeling grateful for: my safety, good health, and all the amazing people in my life!
- Connection: We need to remain connected for our mental and physical well-being. Use video chats, letter writing, and anything else you can think of to bridge the physical distance between us. Extend kindness at every opportunity, because that, too can spread like a contagion. Last weekend, a friend and I had wine together via face time (iPhone) and it was really fun.
- Healthy Mind Platter: Revisit yours as often as you can and make necessary adjustments.
Undoubtedly you’re aware of the many resources that artists, writers, teachers, and trainers have begun offering online in the last week. It’s amazing and so encouraging to see how so many people are stepping up to share in ways that they shine.
What follows here is by no means a comprehensive list of activities that you or your kids might enjoy—just some that have come to my attention:
- Science: Tree Frog Treks will be posting some of their Wild Science curriculum over the next few weeks to give families some options for engaging, hands-on learning to help. https://campscui.active.com/orgs/TreeFrogTreksLLC And Science Mom is doing a show on YouTube every day!
- History: Local author, Kate Schatz, dives into history daily through her new book, Rad American History, A-Z.
- Math: Mathy Moments is a terrific blog with fun, approachable advice and suggestions for noticing, sharing, and celebrating with our children the math we all encounter in everyday life.
- Drawing and Writing: These writers and illustrators (and others I’m sure I’ve missed!) are offering daily readings, mini-workshops, or fun lessons: Gene Luen Yang, Grace Lin, Mo Willems, Wendy MacNaughton, Carson Ellis, Oliver Jeffers, Mac Barnett, and Julia Turshen.
- Music: Online music classes for kids 7 and under are being offered by Melita Silberstein.
- Yoga, Barre, HIIT, and 7-minute Workouts: All of these are free until April 1 through DownDogApp.
- Yoga for Kids: Yama Kids Yoga, a Berkeley yoga studio for kids is offering online classes.
- Audio Stories: Sparkle Stories offers heart-centered stories for children through their free live sessions on Zoom or Facebook live at 5pm PST, as well through their podcast, and hundreds more stories are available through a paid monthly subscription. There are also excellent free resources for crafts, activities, and homeschooling on the site.
- Storying With David: Check out the DIY and Interactive offerings for “How to Be Super” camps for kids and adults, as well as other resources for storytelling. Stories can be such a balm during challenging times like these.
- San Francisco Public Library: Libraries are closed to the public for now, but there is SO MUCH available online!
- Audible: Free stories for kids.
- Art: Visit some of the world’s museums virtually.
And of course this is a terrific time to engage your children more in the day-to-day running of your household. Cooking, cleaning, folding, sorting—it’s all fair game. Might as well level-up on life skills!
Be sure to extend yourself and others a lot of grace during this time, and reach out to us at GetzWell with any questions. Virtual hugs (only) to everyone!