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Basic Protection in a Respiratory Epidemic
The novel coronavirus infection that started in China is now making its way around the world. There is no need to panic. Hopefully, our public health measures will contain the spread within the US to make it at best a minor issue. Personally, I think it would be prudent to halt travel to and from China at this point, or at least insist on a strict quarantine for anyone arriving from China.
However, what if it does get a major toehold in the US and you need to take action? What can you do to protect yourself and your family?
First, the most important factor is simple common sense and good hygiene. Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands! Twenty seconds with soap and hot water is number one; if that’s not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also helpful. Next, don’t touch your face or eyes. Anytime you touch a surface in public, cleanse your hands. Make sure you have some type of sanitizer to wipe down any surfaces at home or where you work.
What if you feel the need for some more active measures to protect yourself?
Masks can be helpful. Simple cloth masks have limited utility. Actually, masks are most effective when placed on the source of infection. If you want to go to a more effective method, the N95 respirator is used by most health care providers.
These are (currently) available at hardware stores, Walmart, and Amazon. Ideally, in the hospital they do a “fit test” to ensure a proper seal.
Doing a little research I found that the effectiveness of these masks is significantly enhanced if you place a “seal” of vaseline around the edge of the mask.
Additionally, you need to protect your eyes. The virus can be caught from exposure to the mucus membranes in the eye. Get yourself a pair of goggles. Swim goggles would work well, they form a tight seal around the eye, could probably be soaked in a sanitizer to allow reuse. Otherwise, any goodies that provide a good seal around the eyes will work.
Disclaimer:
I’m a simple ER doc. I don’t claim to be a virologist or infectious disease expert. I would welcome any input from anyone here with more expertise.
Good luck all. Remember that old Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times.”
Published in General
As has been previously mentioned, the N95 mask is serious overkill. For that matter, masks and goggles are overkill. I use an N95 and disposable plastic eye protection (but not goggles!) in the BioSafety Level 3 lab when working with tuberculosis bacteria. Those, along with a tyvek suit, were the SOP for our Ebola readiness team. So, the mask might be in order for Kozak when treating patients where there is a high level of suspicion for the disease, but definitely not for those out and about, particularly in a low prevalence area.
It is concerning that this disease, like many viral infections, is transmissible during incubation. This chart includes many examples. It is even more concerning that people are taking fever reducing medicines before being tested at airports prior to getting on long flights. This, more than anything, is how and where the transmission can be interrupted. Stopping travel from the high prevalence areas and quarantine of sick and exposed people is the first and lowest tech means of stopping transmission of any infectious disease. Of course, that requires cooperation of people invested in the idea of their duty to protect their fellow humans or a very heavy handed State intervention. Sadly, there seems to be a lack of the former.
Yep.
For news from Hong Kong papers:
http://hongkongfp.com/
https://www.scmp.com/
Caryn,
Thanks for some expert advice. What I’ve quoted from your comment is such a relevant statement too. This is why I despise Greta Thunberg. She misleads people into investing themselves in a false idea. Meanwhile, we may be in a real fight for our lives against this damn virus.
Thanks for your comments.
Regards,
Jim
Reminds me of the Soviets holding their May Day Parade in Kiev when they knew the Chernobyl reactor was pumping high levels of radiation into the area.
Kozak,
Maybe if you get too used to lying you forget what the truth can do to you if you ignore it.
Regards,
Jim
Something I learned years ago when traveling in the People’s Republic of China:
After hocking a big loogie on the floor of a crowded train or a bustling cafe, rub it good into the floor with your boot.
I’ve seen the amazing snot rockets they launch too.
Which of the subscription options do you find the most manageable?
California passed a law that you could not ask. I was running a trauma center about that time. The CA Legislature’s solution was “treat every patient as though they were HIV positive.” That was a big help.
Except the flu vaccine is reported to be less than 25% effective this year, based on the Australia experience last summer (their winter).
My favorite. Had an HIV patient come in to the ER pouring blood from his nosebleed.
I spent 40 minutes packing his nose. When I was done, I was covered from face shield to feet in blood ( lots of it a fine mist perfect for getting in my mucous membranes). He then asked me how long the packing had to stay in. I told him 3 days.
“Oh no way. I work in a bar and I can’t work with that in my nose.”
I ripped the gear off and told him if he pulled the packing to go someplace else. I was not going to risk my life and my families health putting in the packing again.
My partner cut himself with a bleeding out trauma case. Scared the hell out of him. Fortunately, the proteases had arrived and he never converted.
I’ve subscribed to the whole thing all along based on the reasoning of cross-species transmission. Today’s animal infection could conceivably jump to humans. Also, it’s worthwhile to know about the plant and food-animal diseases as they have potential impact on the food chain. It can be pretty overwhelming to the inbox (10 or more a day), so I just read the subject line and decide whether to open the email or not. But…I do research in infectious diseases, so it’s kind of my trade journal.
Came across this video I would like to share which shows the difference between a surgical mask and respirator.
I am not at this point urging people to do anything other then be aware. But if in the future we face a major outbreak of this or some other severe respiratory infection, keep this information in mind.
Something to keep in mind:
When I assess the appropriate PPE, I look at several aspects. Severity of the hazard, likelihood / risk of exposure, and user factors.
A surgical mask & a pair of safety sun glasses might be fine for a healthy person in a low-risk area with a low-risk job. Someone at higher risk might choose a more involved form of PPE.