Coronavirus – The Fear Factor

These are the best of times. These are the worst of times. Now that we have your attention and with apologies to Charles Dickens, that’s how it feels lately. The recent Coronavirus pandemic has brought everyone and everything to a screeching halt, making it difficult to know fact from fiction.

What we do know, is that this virus is highly contagious, more so than the flu strains that travel around each season. However, there’s a lot we don’t know about Coronavirus, or COVID-19, thus the sudden fear. While the experts are weighing in that this will continue to spread as with other flu outbreaks, it’s important to not overreact with fear. As of now, people are asked to be vigilant, not so much to halt the virus which is next to impossible, but to slow it down so our health care system can handle it in phases. As of today, 80% of the infections in our country are mild. The remainder are severe or critical, however the data changes daily.

What we do know is that handwashing is, and always was, the most important defense against fighting germs. We should also maintain a healthy diet, and if you have a temperature, stay out of work and away from others. It’s common sense.

Early data shows highest risk for COVID-19 is for the population over 60 years of age, those who smoke or have poor lung health, have existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, or abnormally high blood pressure. For that reason, even if you are young and healthy, you still could be exposed and show no symptoms, thus making you a carrier to the senior population. The CDC recommends ways to lower your risk of contamination are being out and about when crowd size is low, avoid unnecessary contained travel (airplanes/cruise ships), and bypass large groups where you are unable to distance yourself by 6 feet.

While many businesses have temporarily closed or shortened hours, at 360 Orthopedics we continue to treat our patients with orthopedic pain and/or injury while taking extra precautions to ensure patient and staff safety. We’ve assembled a task force at each of our locations. We are:

• Surface wiping throughout our locations multiple times during clinic hours.
• Providing hand sanitizing stations throughout our facilities.
• Having staff stay home or sending them home if they have a fever or show signs of flu.
• Requiring frequent hand washing and avoiding touching the face.

As always, 360 Orthopedics has the safety of our patients and staff as a priority. In addition to our normal and very stringent cleaning and disinfecting schedules, we have added enhanced cleaning every morning at all our locations. You may be assured we are doing our diligence to ensure these locations continuously remain disinfected and provide as safe an environment as possible.

If you need information about us please go to our website or give us a call at 941-951-2663.

Sources: CDC; WHO; informationisbeautiful.net