Desperate times call for desperate measures. Being prepared does not mean you have to be scared. So don’t be afraid and don’t panic.

COVID-19

An infectious disease expert warning post on Facebook went viral last week after he warned that people’s exaggerated reactions to the spread of the coronavirus could do more damage than the disease itself.

Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, an expert at the University of Toronto in Canada, wrote,

“Being prepared does not mean you have to be scared. Being concerned doesn’t mean you have to panic. And being both scared and panicked doesn’t mean you can’t seek an avenue to cope with the uncertainty that Covid-19 is undoubtedly causing. 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 most, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.”

However, he continued: “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 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…”

Read the entire post here: https://www.facebook.com/abdu.sharkawy

Fear is the real virus, but…

Fear is irrational and the real virus and the antidote won’t be rational either, it is going to be a combination of knowledge, unbridled optimism, hope, and faith.

Here is the but…

This is not the time to be fearful, casual or lackadaisical and if you are a leader please rise and continue to lead without fear, communicate clearly and consistently. And if you are a follower, please listen, read and follow instructions.

Subtle Approach

I am not a public health expert so please defer to the experts accordingly, but it is gradually becoming obvious that as COVID-19, continues it’s global spread, the cautionary approach in play, which was evident in Wuhan, China; and currently employed in Italy — Rome, Milan, and Venice is total restriction and space enforcement. As this spread continues, I anticipate a similar approach to curb its deadly spread, which has begun as New York orders nation’s first coronavirus containment zone http://disq.us/t/3mt4o2a

Read more about Italy here: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/10/europe/italy-coronavirus-beniamino-pagliaro-intl/index.html?

The pictorial comparison of some public sites: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/10/satellite-photos-sites-around-the-world-deserted-due-to-coronavirus.html

US CASES AS OF 3/9 (804 cases)

Don’t Panic, Do The Following instead

Step 1: Facts Matter, Get the facts

It is imperative to get the facts from the experts, medical professionals, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), governmental agencies, county and municipal public health officials whose job it is to provide consistent, accurate and clear instructions.

Step 2: Listen and act accordingly

Follow the CDC updates here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html

Step 3: Stay abreast of the spread

Pay close attention to any sudden upswing in your state, city or neighborhood. Click here: http://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Step 4: Minimize exposure, self-quarantine if you suspect anything

Go to the CDC page to discover up to the minute updates on the risk of exposure etc.

Step 5: Now, is the right time for some self-leadership

Here are a few things to do –

1. Don’t panic and don’t be afraid
2. Wash your hands
3. Eliminate or suspend all travel
4. Go virtual, make being online your default mode
5. Again, wash your hands
6. Don’t touch your face
7. Lastly, Don’t panic!

So let’s breathe collectively, this is not the time to be divided but united. Instead of quitting, this is the time to stand firm together.

We will get through this and may God protect us all.
Dr. Flo

Discover more: Got some time, read and watch the video below.

1. The antidote to fear: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/23/opinion/the-antidote-to-fear.html
2. Recovery will come eventually: https://hbr-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/hbr.org/amp/2020/03/how-chinese-companies-have-responded-to-coronavirus
3. https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2020/03/05/a-recession-is-unlikely-but-not-impossible
4. Watch this: “One month in Wuhan” https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-02-28/The-lockdown-One-month-in-Wuhan-OsaehknbVu/index.html