ArtMed’s Response to COVID-19: Information

I’d like to pass on a few COVID related pieces of information. I have been receiving a constant stream of updates from government agencies, professional organizations, public health, hospitals and more.  I’m happy to pass on key pieces of information and I hope you find it useful. 

First and foremost, STAY HOME.  Social distancing is the key to preventing the spread of COVID in Ontario.  But what does that really mean? It means the people you live with should be the only people you are spending time with.  If you absolutely must venture out into the public realm stay 6 ft  away from others and don’t interact with them for more than a couple minutes.  Do what you need to do, keep on the move, and then go home.  If you are continuing to work outside the home carefully adhere to workplace policies related to social distancing and avoid socializing with co-workers. 

No, you do not need a mask.  It has been proven that masks are not useful to prevent spread among the general population.  HAND WASHING is the key to preventing spread.  Wash for at least 20 seconds with soap (any kind) and water. The virus has a fatty exterior coating which means that SOAP kills the virus by breaking down its outer coating.  If you must go out your hands before you go anywhere and immediately on your return.  Wash down door knobs, counters (especially plastic or stainless steel as the virus lives longer on these surfaces) light switches, toilets and faucets.  Anything people touch is a source of infection. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE, this is the most common way people acquire COVID.  They touch a surface that is infected and touch their mouth, nose or eyes. 

Absolutely avoid contact with people outside your residence who have travelled outside Canada in the past month.  If you have travelled outside Canada in the past month yourself self-isolate.  DO NOT GO OUT.  If you need things have them delivered to you. If you’re going stir crazy get familiar with video technology to meet up with friends and family.  Yes, you can go outside for a walk but don’t stop to chat at length with others.  Yes, you can walk your dog.  Going outside to get some exercise is fine for now. 

Most people who are infected with COVID will not experience symptoms until at least 5 days after exposure to the virus.  Research shows that individuals who have COVID are infectious to others 2 days before they show symptoms.  Most community based infections occur during those 2 days when COVID infected asymptomatic individuals are interacting with others.  But it can take up to 14 days for some people to show symptoms.  This is why if you’ve travelled outside Canada in the past month, or have been in contact with someone who may have COVID you must SELF-ISOLATE FOR 14 days. 

How long will this last?  The jury is out.  But the Prime Minister said our border will be closed for at least a month and it could be closed for months.  So it could be a while, we just don’t know at this point.  China is just starting to let Hubei province lift its restrictions and Wuhan itself has another 14 days of lock down.  In total that means Wuhan will have had 70 days of lock down (and that’s assuming no new cases in the next 2 weeks).  We will be able to see how things go in Europe which will also inform strategies for Canada. 

What about testing?  Countries which have employed aggressive COVID testing have seen the best control of the virus.  In those countries they are testing widely including asymptomatic health care workers and often asymptomatic residents too.  At this time we do not have the resources in Canada to test in this way (not enough test kits, not enough lab capacity).  At present, the only people being considered for testing are individuals who have COVID symptoms (high fever, cough, shortness of breath) and the symptoms are MODERATE to SEVERE.  Mostly this means people who may need to be hospitalized. 

So what to do?  In summary, stay home unless required to work, don’t be tempted to socialize, self-isolate for 14 days if you’ve travelled outside Canada in the past 14 days or live with someone who travelled, self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID, and wash your hands and surfaces regularly and don’t touch your face. 

It’s a brave new world!  On the upside, the environment is very happy.  An extended break from human activity has really improved the earth’s atmosphere and coastal waters.  Always look for the silver lining, and as the British say, keep calm and carry on.