It’s now official. President Trump has declared a National Emergency.
We understand that many of you are concerned, confused and overwhelmed by the constant media barrage of information (and mis-information), cancellations, shut downs, and empty grocery store shelves. Some of you are down-right scared. We want you to know that, as our patients, your health and safety are our primary concern. As we pray for those that have been infected by this virus locally and around the globe, we’d also like to share some good information with you, our valued patients.
The term “Coronavirus” is a broad term for a group of viruses that, according to the WHO, “are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).” They are named as such because of the crown-like spikes in their outer shell (see above image). This particular strain, COVID-19, originated in bats and, like other coronaviruses, jumped species to humans. While this family of viruses can cause a multitude of symptoms body-wide, COVID-19 is a respiratory infection spread by aerosol droplets (cough, sneeze, etc.)
Sound familiar? Yes, COVID-19 can be compared to another infection spread via droplets in the air that you are very familiar with….the flu. Every year, between 9 and 45 million cases of the flu are confirmed with between 12,000 to 61,000 deaths per year since 2010! Let’s put things into proper perspective here. Most of us don’t stop life or don a surgical mask for fear of getting the seasonal flu. To compare, as of March 4, 2020, there have been a total of 3,221 COVID-19 deaths worldwide. We can’t explain why the media is not giving statistics clearly, but COVID-19 does not appear to be nearly as deadly as previous outbreaks-or even a “normal” flu season. Sometimes we need to step back and look at some facts.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, COVID-19 is a “mild to moderate infection” with death rates no where near that of SARS (10%) or MERS (36%). The New England Journal of Medicine states, “If one assumes that the number of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic cases is several times as high as the number of reported cases, the case fatality rate may be considerably less than 1%. This suggests that the overall clinical consequences of COVID-19 may ultimately be more akin to those of a severe seasonal influenza (which has a case fatality rate of approximately 0.1%) or a pandemic influenza (similar to those in 1957 and 1968) rather than a disease…” In areas of extreme concentration of infection (Wuhan, China), health officials report a fatality rate of between 3-4%. Outside of Wuhan, the rate has been closer to 0.7%.
Add to these actual statistics the fact that those contracting and exhibiting significant symptoms of COVID-19 are the immune-compromised patients and the elderly. Remember, the flu carries with it warnings for BOTH the very young and the very old. Not so with COVID-19! The young and very young have shown no serious symptoms! We certainly want to advise our octogenarians to be extra cautious. However, already in China where this strain seems to have begun, there is a marked decrease in incidence. Yesterday (March 14, 2020),this country of 1.4 billion residents, reported only 31 new cases!
The truth is, COVID-19 is reacting like the virus that it is. It has had it’s peak virulence already in China and is now on the down-swing. Surprisingly, like a flu season you say?? We have to wonder…if according to spokesman Tarik Jasarevic of the WHO, “80% of those infected will only have mild symptoms,”…doesn’t quarantining and mass social distancing seem strangely disproportionate?
It goes without saying that we should be doing all that we can to boost our body’s immune system at times like this. Please use your common sense. React as if this were cold and flu season (….wait a minute…it is!) and be responsible. You are the best person to care for you—but we’ve got your back (pun intended!).
Remember that there are no “medications” for viruses. Antibiotics are, of course, anti-bacterial. A virus is not a bacteria. Viruses regularly mutate and change, making it impossible at this time to create a drug that is effective against them. That does not leave us helpless!
Some things we can do for ourselves and our family…
Treat the COVID-19 virus as you would the flu.
Boost your immune system naturally by getting adjusted regularly
Don’t panic. Stress markedly lowers our body’s immune response.
Bump up your Vitamin C & D, Organic Greens, Zinc and Probiotic intake along with Raw Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar
Get some exercise and a good night’s sleep!
Diffuse immune boosting essential oils such as Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Frankincense, Lemon, Orange and Oregano
Avoid contact with those who are noticeably ill, and stay home if you are sick
Do keep a supply of water, good food & necessities on hand in case of greater restrictions
And, of course, WASH THOSE HANDS!
Let’s put aside the fear and choose to be proactive regarding our family’s health. Be smart and observe the common sense guidelines set forth for cold and flu prevention. We will continue to pray for those affected world-wide as we honor our government’s guidelines for this outbreak.
2 Timothy 1:7 “…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”
Yours in health,
Dr. Tom Swick
References:
1 https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
2 https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html
3 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
4 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21214-coronavirus
5 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2002387
6 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/03/809904660/why-the-death-rate-from-coronavirus-is-plunging-in-china
7 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2762130
8 https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200311-sitrep-51-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=1ba62e57_4
9 https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/2017/09/11/the-flu-special-report/
10 https://www.thejoint.com/oregon/hillsboro/orenco-station-33003/212819-how-chiropractic-care-reduces-stress
11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16621326