Livelihoods Archives - Stanwork

Disturbing long-term complications of Covid-19-Remote Work & Neurological Symptoms!

Anika H Ahmed MD — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 17:49:39 +0000

As we almost complete four years of Covid-19 restricted life, with many either following the remote work or hybrid model, one cannot help wondering what the long-term effects of the Coronavirus may be and how we shall continue to pay our dues to it. Research indicates that although the commute time has sharply declined in the majority but the screen time has greatly increased. This is showing new symptoms in many enrolled in observational studies. It is worrisome to see that many of the observed symptoms are similar to people recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Major symptoms being sleeplessness, headache, fatigue, dizziness, light headedness, blurring of vision, depression, anxiety and weakness.

Research continues on patients who did get positive with the Coronavirus, and they are being closely studied after they were marked as fully recovered on paper, meaning that they longer tested positive. A lot of people still continue to suffer even after their so-called recovery and observational studies of them show many people struggling with memory problems, mental fog, and mood changes. Scientists agree that one reason for these symptoms are long-term damage to the brain, both from the virus and the increased screen time with no defined working hours. People tend to spend more time on gadgets now that they either do not have a commute or less time on the road every week!

Currently studies are being carried out in various medical universities with a team of scientists taking a lead at the University of Virginia, California National Primate Research Center at UC Davis, and the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. A study led on hospitalized patients found that more than 13% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have developed a new neurological disorder usually seen soon after being infected with the Coronavirus. When these patients were followed up six months later, it was observed that the group who survived were still showing cognitive problems and preferred remote work rather than in-person.

The main health risks to the brain are internal bleeding, blood clots, inflammation, oxygen deprivation and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. The changes seen in the brain are subtle but even minor affects on the brain could be a significant change in cognition. SARS-CoV-2 virus when observed in animals clearly shows infecting not just the animal’s lungs and body tissues but also infecting the brain, an organ that has yet not received much attention. The monkeys studied showed that neurons, the brain cells that make thinking possible are infected although not confirmed in human beings yet under observation, but many researchers have found evidence that the virus can infect human brain cells.

As seen in monkeys, it is believed that the virus appears to enter the brain through the nose. A potential route for the Coronavirus to makes its way to the brain is through a nerve located on top of the nose called the Olfactory bulb. The Olfactory Bulb provides a possible route for the Coronavirus to travel from the respiratory system to the brain. The Coronavirus appears to infect and destroy nerve cells in the Olfactory Bulb, which surely explains why many COVID-19 patients complain of loss of sense of smell!

In addition to this, the Coronavirus has also been observed to infect cells that line blood vessels, including those that go through the brain and hence lead to damage that can trigger blood clots or bleeding that can lead to life threatening strokes. It can also damage cells that protect the blood-brain barrier leading to disruption and allowing harmful substances including the Coronavirus to enter the brain. Furthermore, the Coronavirus can also damage a person’s lungs to the extent that their brain is no longer able to get sufficient oxygen. Sone scientists also believe COVID-19 may be causing brain injuries that may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life.

This impact of the Coronavirus on the brain certainly makes its extremely important to treat every COVID-19 patient in the initial stages with the newly approved Pfizer anti-Covid-19, PAXLOVID and stop the disease evolving towards more advanced stages, that can cause neuronal damage that cannot be reversed. The bottom line of all ongoing and past research is that the best way to prevent COVID-related brain damage is to get promptly vaccinated, cut down on screen time and spend at least some time outdoors!

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First Antiviral COVID-19 Pill Approved in the United States

Anika H Ahmed MD — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 03:36:18 +0000

First Antiviral COVID-19 Pill Paxlovid Approved in the United States

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

On Wednesday, December 22, 2021, the highly anticipated news was received with a sigh of relief by people across the globe that the United States Food & Drug Administration has given an emergency authorization for the first COVID-19 antiviral pill, Paxlovid, manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

Although it is not a cure for Omicron or other variants of Coronavirus, including Delta, it does promise a marked reduction in risk, of both hospitalization and deaths, by 89%, if given to COVID-19 patients within three days of the appearance of symptoms. Moreover, if given within five days of symptom appearance, the pill still has the efficacy of reducing the risk of severe symptoms development, by 88%.

This much-needed antiviral pill named Paxlovid is actually a combination of the existing antiviral drug Ritonavir (previously used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus, causing AIDS) and the newly developed drug Nirmatrelvir. These two combined drugs work together as a protease inhibitor to disrupt the multiplication of Coronavirus in COVID-19 patients.

It must be noted that this pill does not stop the transmission of COVID-19 and is not a replacement for available vaccination, which still remains the first line of defense against COVID-19.

The Paxlovid dosage protocol is to take two tablets of Nirmatrelvir and one tablet of ritonavir, twice per day for five days. It promises to reduce the more severe symptoms of COVID-19 and will now be a new tool in the pandemic fight, along with the approved COVID-19 vaccines. It is designed to block the activity of the SARS-CoV-2-3CL protease, an enzyme that the coronavirus needs to replicate. In the successfully conducted clinical trials with positive Coronavirus, patients took a combination of ritonavir, a drug used to treat HIV, with Nirmatrelvir and it reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% when taken within three days of symptoms. According to Pfizer, the ritonavir drug allows the medication to remain active in the body longer, at higher concentrations.

More good news came from President Joe Biden after approval of Pfizer’s Paxlovid by FDA, who announced that Paxlovid will be easily available and shall be free of cost, and that his administration has already purchased 10 million courses. As approved, the two 150 mg tablets would be administered upon the first appearance of symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test result and continued over a five-day treatment course.

Compared to Paxlovid, Merck developed an antiviral pill with Ridgeback in mid-October this year and after receiving emergency authorization in November, it was given to patients in the United Kingdom as a national ongoing study and it can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 30%, if taken within five days of the onset of symptoms for people who have tested positive and are at higher risk of serious illness and hospitalization.

Also, it is anticipated that there is a reduced chance of drug resistance developing, as Paxlovid will be administered only for a short course of five days and the Coronavirus will not develop drug resistance as some antibiotics have shown to develop in the past due to longer time multiple dosage.

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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One Vaccine may Protect Against all Coronavirus Variants

Anika H Ahmed MD — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 19:14:33 +0000

Good News- New COVID-19 Vaccine may protect against all variants of Coronavirus!

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

The Coronavirus continues to create havoc in everyone’s life across the globe and researchers are today back at the drawing board, trying to figure out one vaccine that may be able to help the immune system defend against all existing and future variants of the Coronavirus. Some good news came out of the University of Virginia where health professionals are working diligently to develop a vaccine that will offer complete coverage. This new vaccine has so far shown promising results in early animal testing in existing variants and may provide protection against all future variants of Coronavirus.

Developments are as follows:

The scientists at University of Virginia and Virginia Tech Health department are working on a new platform, recently invented, to rapidly develop new vaccines. This new platform will offer developing vaccines at very low cost estimated to about a $1 per vaccine, would be easy to store and transport, even in remote areas of the world and could be produced in existing vaccine manufacturing factories around the world. This could be the key to putting an end to the pandemic!

This new vaccine involves making a DNA that can direct the production of a piece of the virus that can instruct the immune system as to how to start a protective antibody response. This DNA is inserted in another small circle of DNA called a plasmid that can multiply within a bacteria. The plasmid is next introduced to E. Coli bacteria, guiding the bacteria to place pieces of proteins on their surfaces. One major break through is the innovation that E. Coli have had a large number of its genes deleted. Deleting these genes that also includes parts of its outer membrane, cause a substantial increase in the response of the immune system to recognize and respond to the vaccine antigen placed on the surface of the bacteria. This entire process from identifying a potential vaccine target to producing the gene-deleted bacteria that do have the vaccine antigens on their surfaces, need a time frame of only two to three weeks, a speed that will make it ideal to controlling the pandemic, with its fast-upcoming various variants now and in the future.

This vaccine is being tried out in pigs and so far, two such vaccines, one designed to protect against Covid-19 and another developed to protect against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) are being tried out in animals. Both PEDV and the virus that causes Covid-19 are Coronaviruses, but they are not closely related. Like all the Coronaviruses they do share several of the amino acids that form the fusion peptide. PEDV is seen to infect pigs, causing diarrhea, high fever and vomiting, a pig pandemic that has killed about 10% of the US pigs.

Interestingly killed whole-cell vaccines are presently being used widely around the world to cure fatal diseases like Cholera and whopping cough. Factories in many developing and underdeveloped countries are manufacturing million of doses of these vaccines per year, for a low a cost as $1per dose and at times even at much lesser cost. It is a promising possibility to use the technology and innovation to make this new, one vaccine that shall be effective against all the existing and future variants of Coronavirus causing Covid-19.Fingers crossed as more convincing data is collected and human clinical trials begin!

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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Post-Vaccination COVID-19 Exposure Benefits

Anika H Ahmed MD — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 18:50:36 +0000

Getting Covid-19 after being fully vaccinated can have its perks!

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

It is amazing to study the immune system of the human body and see how it reacts to a foreign antigen, in the form of an allergen, a viral or bacterial infection. Any time an infection occurs, the immune system tries to defend the body by developing antibodies against the attacking allergen, virus or bacteria and tries to control the infection. This is why many people are seen with totally different kind and severity of symptoms, each individual’s immune system reacting uniquely to the Coronavirus.

A recent study of researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine in Portland, Oregon have concluded that those individuals who after being fully vaccinated for Covid-19, do get Coronavirus infection, have their immune system trigger a massive antibody response resulting in ‘super immunity’. This of course does not mean that fully vaccinated individuals should seek the Coronavirus to develop ‘hybrid immunity’, as scientists are still not sure how differently each immune system may react. In this recent study at Oregon, 26 fully vaccinated individuals that got Covid-19 after vaccination were compared with a vaccinated group of people that did get Covid-19, and there was seen a substantial increase in the number of antibodies in the 26 fully vaccinated individuals, with Covid-19. The increases in antibodies were phenomenal, up to a 1,000% increase and sometimes up to 2,000%. This indicates that the full dose of vaccine when taken by individuals provides a basic foundational immunity that prepares the body to deal with the Coronavirus, in a manner that leads to extremely mild symptoms and in some cases no symptoms at all, but at the same time also establishes a ‘Super Immunity’ against any further Coronavirus infections. These antibodies appear to be effective against the various variants of the Coronavirus including the delta variant. The highly contagious Omicron variant appearing in the third week of November this year, detected in South Africa and now spreading rapidly across the globe, is able to infect even the fully vaccinated individuals but with seemingly mild symptoms or in some cases even asymptomatic Covid-19 patients!

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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Laboratories’ Ability to Detect Omicron

Anika H Ahmed MD — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 20:04:11 +0000

Are our laboratories ready to detect the Omicron variant?

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

Scientists are not stopping when it comes to the fight against COVID-19. The first case of the Omicron variant was detected and announced on November 25, out in South Africa and it was detected upon evidence of new sequencing in the COVID-19 samples. Clinicians became suspicious when a large number of patients showed up at clinics with extreme fatigue, exhaustion, headache and generalized body aches. Careful analysis of the samples at the laboratories indicated new mutations and sequencing in the Coronavirus, that was labelled as the Omicron variant.

This is where technology plays a key role in figuring out new variants of the Coronavirus. Correct detection all depends on the way the computer code looks for the differences in the virus compared to the original Wuhan strain. The sequencing is actually exactly the same. A positive specimen for SARS-COV-2 is actually sequenced the exact same way whether it is an Alpha, Delta or an Omicron or any unknown variant, that we may not know. Then a computer algorithm is put in to check and make sure that all the critical mutations for the different variants of Coronavirus are looked into. The outcoming result is reported and identified as a particular variant namely Alpha or Delta or Omicron.

All the identified variants of SARS-COV-2 have unique mutations. It has been observed so far that actually the Alpha variant and the Omicron variant, do have some things in common. They are both more transmissible and hence spread faster. They both have some of the same mutations that may predict more transmissibility, which in plain words means that there are mutations in both Alpha and Omicron variants, that makes the virus attach more tightly and multiply efficiently, thus helping it spread faster and wider. .

To correctly detect the new Omicron variant, all laboratories need to make sure that their computer methods are in place and ready. With all these mutations, it needs to be ensure dthat the current sequencing laboratory techniques work to amplify all of the different regions of the Coronavirus. Most of the laboratories have been working on this aspect and have confirmed that their current sequencing methods would be able to detect and successfully sequence Omicron.

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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First U.S. Omicron Case Detected

Anika H Ahmed MD — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 23:25:25 +0000

First Omicron Positive Case Detected in the United States

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

On Wednesday, December 1^st, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases announced at a press briefing at the White House that the first positive case of Omicron variant of the Coronavirus has been detected in California. The positive individual did travel back from South Africa to the United States on Monday, November 22^nd, 2021, and was identified as positive on Monday, November 29^th, 2021, by the University of California in San Francisco, through genomic sequencing. The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the positive Covid-19 was caused by the Omicron variant.

So far, the information on the Omicron positive individual is that the person was fully vaccinated but had not had his booster shot yet. Presently he is suffering ‘mild symptoms’ not requiring hospitalization and is under self-quarantine and isolation. So far, all contacts of the individual have tested negative for Coronavirus and are under observation. The main symptoms of the Omicron variant are extreme fatigue, headache and generalized body aches.

The World Health Organization has identified Omicron variant as a ‘variant of concern’ as it poses a very high global risk. Omicron first identified in South Africa has since been detected in several countries, including now in the United States too. It is being emphasized by researchers and scientists across the globe that the Omicron variant is highly contagious and tends to spread rapidly. The only way to keep oneself protected is firstly to avoid travelling to South Africa, where thousands of people are already positive, practice social distancing in public places, continue to wear a mask and wash hands frequently. In addition to these, both the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control are encouraging everyone to get booster shots to acquire immunity to the new Omicron variant of the Coronavirus.

Health professionals continue to work hard round the clock to collect data, and determine how transmissible is the Omicron variant, which populations are more vulnerable, how severe are the symptoms in most positive cases, and how well do the current available vaccines work. Till the right answers are found, everyone needs to be very cautious and practice preventive measures against the virus. In regard to this, one precautionary step announced by the president of the United States has been restricted travel from South Africa and seven other countries and urging eligible people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 or get a booster shot as soon as possible.

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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State Restrictions and Movement During Pandemic

Anika H Ahmed MD — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 16:51:36 +0000

If my state doesn’t have a shelter in place policy can I still go outside?

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the terms “lockdown”, “shelter in place”, and “stay at home” are being used on a daily basis across the globe. Some countries like China and India have a strict “lockdown” during which one resident from a household is allowed to leave every 72 hours to get essentials like groceries and medicine. “Shelter in place” and “Stay at home” are more interchangeable and both ask residents to stay home as much as possible and avoid being out in public during a pandemic, to minimize exposure and potential serious illness.

Some states are now easing up on stay at home policies. Under those circumstances, people are allowed to go outside but are still advised to practice social distancing and the highest standards of personal hygiene, especially of their hands. Although some cities, towns, and states may have been fortunate enough not to have been hit hard by COVID-19, caution is still advised when out in the public. While outside the home for work or for pleasure, one must remember that COVID-19 is spread through close human to human contact. The key to controlling this COVID-19 pandemic has been social distancing of 6 feet, frequent hand washing, minimal touching of hard surfaces, covering your face with a mask especially in confined spaces, frequent cleaning of hard surfaces with disinfectants, covering all coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, avoiding close interaction with anyone sick with Coronavirus, and practicing self-quarantine in case of exposure.

If the state does not have a shelter in place policy, normal daily routines can be carried out while leaving the safe environment of home, but a cautious approach is highly encouraged. Remember to avoid larger gatherings like concerts, sports events, seminars, and conferences that could have large groups of people. The lesser the interaction with others, the safer the person shall be. Keeping safe and healthy should be every person’s responsibility and keeping safe from the Coronavirus requires minimal contact with others and excellent personal hygiene. Coronavirus or no Coronavirus, a cautious and hygienic lifestyle, with wise interactions with others, should be the golden rule for a healthy lifestyle.

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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Safety of US Food Supply During Pandemic

Anika H Ahmed MD — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 16:48:57 +0000

Is the US food supply safe?

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

The COVID-19 pandemic spreads by person to person transmission through droplet infection. Close contact with any infective COVID-19 person can transmit the infectious Coronavirus leading to symptoms of COVID-19. Humans handle food and it goes through various hands of food industry workers before it makes it to the consumer. The outbreak of COVID-19 in a meat plant with 130 positive workers has given risen to a question whether the meat is safe. Is the food supply safe in the United States? Research indicates that COVID-19 does not directly spread through food. Consuming food that may have been handled by a positive COVID-19 does not directly lead to the disease. However, handling packages that may have been sprayed with Coronavirus through coughing or sneezing of a positive COVID-19 can lead to transmission of the Coronavirus to the hands of the consumers. In addition to different hard surfaces like doorknobs, elevator buttons, escalator railings, door handles, counter tops, and trolleys, Coronavirus can survive on plastic and paper for about 12 hours.

Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene on the consumer end is the key to controlling the pandemic. Anything brought into the house from outside, including food packages in the form of salad boxes, vegetable and fruit bags, milk cartons, cheese boxes, canned goods and cereal boxes must be wiped down. The best way to wipe down food packages is either with a wipe of rubbing alcohol or by spraying down with a disinfectant. This must be followed by frequent washing of hands for 20 seconds, wiping down of all counter tops used for placement of the food packages and wiping down of refrigerator shelves before putting the groceries away. This precaution may be time consuming but will be worth the effort to keep oneself protected from the Coronavirus.

On the other hand, outbreak of COVID-19 at a food processing and packaging plant does raise concerns. One positive case could lead to outbreak in the entire staff of the plant as it is rapidly transmitted from person to person. The deadly consequence of this spread could be contamination of packaging of the food. This contaminated package, if handled by consumers without precautions of sanitization of packages, frequent washing of hands and maintaining hygiene, will surely lead to greater spread of COVID-19. Due to the highly infectious nature of Coronavirus, it is better to assume that the package may have been contaminated with the virus at any point in the food chain supply going through multiple hands and follow the precautionary guidelines set by health authorities as explained above, in order to stay protected from COVID-19.

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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How to Self-Quarantine

Anika H Ahmed MD — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 04:13:01 +0000

What exactly is self-quarantine?

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

When thinking of self-quarantine for COVID-19, one must understand the meaning of self-quarantine. It involves staying at home for 14 days in order to prevent the further transmission of coronavirus to others, close monitoring of any developed symptoms, and avoiding close contact with everyone at home for the entire 14-day period. If symptoms appear then this self-quarantine could extend by seven additional days after the first appearance of symptoms, or to a period of quarantine extending until three days after complete recovery and absence of symptoms. Self-quarantine involves:

Staying at home and limiting out-of-home trips only to those necessary for medical care. For medical care too, many hospitals and health experts greatly encourage telemedicine and prefer connecting with their patients through phone calls, video calls, chats, or instant messaging tools. This telemedicine further decreases the risk of exposure for both the patient and the health worker and saves time, cost, and commute.
Avoid all public transport, especially metros, buses, cabs, and ubers.
Separate yourself from everyone and limit yourself to one room and bathroom.
Separate all personal items and do not share dishes, utensils, silverware, towels, or other personal items.
Preferably use a separate restroom and shower in order to avoid getting others around you sick from droplet infection.
Social distancing from others even if you are not sick or have no active symptoms. Avoid all locations like shared couches/beds or situations like watching a movie together in a closed space.
Order your groceries and avoid going out to the grocery store. Register yourself on an online grocery delivery service.
Wash hands thoroughly, vigorously, and frequently.
Wear a mask anytime anyone visits you in your room or you come in contact with anyone while outside your home for a medical appointment. It is actually best to communicate with your doctor through telemedicine and consult your healthcare provider on a virtual platform for consultation and guidance while in self-quarantine.
Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently and thoroughly with a disinfectant.
Make good use of technology – stay in touch with family and friends. Mental well-being is most important in self-quarantine and virtual meetings with health care providers, as well as chats and video calls with friends and family can greatly boost morale and maintain good mental health.
Exercise within the confines of your room. Come up with ideas of physical exercise like yoga or aerobics in a limited space by following various exercise programs on the net and staying physically healthy.

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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Keeping Essential Workers Protected from Coronavirus

Anika H Ahmed MD — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 01:01:16 +0000

Keeping Essential Workers Protected from Coronavirus

Anika H. Ahmed, MD

I am a physician with more than 25 years’ experience in preventive medicine and have throughout my career focused on the primary prevention of infectious communicable diseases, primarily Influenza, HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis C. I have conducted multiple clinical trials to study the behavior pattern of patients on long term multi drug regimes and the various risk factors leading to infectious communicable diseases. With the current Covid-19 pandemic in full swing across the globe, I want to share some useful tips that can keep everyone protected, especially the essential workers who admirably report to duty and provide for the people who can stay safe at home in a much more controlled, healthy environment.

All essential workers need to understand the most important fact about Covid-19: one cannot get infected if one does not breathe the air containing the virus. The question is, how does the virus get in the air? It is a very infectious virus that suspends in the air each time an infectious person or a carrier coughs, sneezes, talks, or laughs. Saliva and mucous sprays out and any other person within six feet of the infectious person can get the virus through droplet infection by just breathing in the air. This is why it is crucial nowadays to have six feet of social distancing from EVERYONE, assuming that every person is either a carrier or susceptible to the virus. Think of every person’s mouth and nose as a virus spraying agent and stepping outside of the radius will help keep you safe.

The second foremost fact that all essential workers need to understand is that one cannot get infected through physical contact if one’s hands are CLEAN. Anytime the face, especially eyes, nose, or mouth is touched with hands that have come into contact with dirty surfaces – particularly doorknobs, elevator buttons, escalator railings, shared keypads, computers, desks, and telephones – you can fall victim to Coronavirus. But here is the good news. You can shoo away the virus if you wash your hands regularly for at least 20-30 seconds, especially before touching your face. Make a habit of washing your hands immediately after you reach home after exiting public transport, stores, or offices. Having disinfectant wipes these days is a luxury. Save them to wipe down surfaces, especially shared ones like telephones, desks, computers, keypads, mousses, trollies, doorknobs, light switches, and ID/security badges after you swipe or punch them in and out at work.

At work, the two major NESTS of Coronavirus are two places: restrooms and breakrooms/shared pantries. In both these places, the golden rule to follow is MINIMAL TOUCH. Put visual reminders in shared office spaces that say, “minimal touch!” It will be hard initially but knowing that humans are creatures of habit, things will get easier as they will become habits and conditioned behavior. Avoid touching doors by using elbows or feet to open and close. Grab a tissue and use it to close water faucets (after thoroughly washing hands for 20-30 seconds) and doors. Avoid touching shared gadgets like fridges, freezers, microwaves, toasters, and phones as much as you can and wipe down surfaces before using, especially before eating and drinking. Refuse to share your eating table with a colleague and avoid sitting in groups. Most of the elevators at work are small (less than 6 by 6) so try to take either the stairs or ride the elevator alone. Try to maintain a six-foot distance from EVERYONE!

Those who work long shifts end up having at least one or two meals at work, sometimes more. Eat balanced meals and do not skip your fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads thinking that they may have Coronavirus. Unlike E.Coli and Salmonella, Covid-19 is not a food-borne illness. Everyone should thoroughly wash all open, fresh produce in running water. Bagged fresh produce, such as bagged salad kits, are already up to food hygiene standards and do not have to be washed again before consumption. Fresh produce should be had regularly as it contains phytonutrients that promote health, boost the immune system, and keep one healthy. The only note of caution regarding food is to avoid restaurants, cafeterias, and buffets with open food trays. If anyone has coughed on, sneezed on, or touched the food with dirty hands, they can contaminate the food as well as the serving containers. Try to buy food that is sealed to avoid the risk of contamination. Best scenario: pack your office meals at home, keep them sealed, and eat fresh and balanced!

Protective personal equipment (PPE) including masks, gloves, scrubs, and protective suits, is essential for all healthcare workers. For other essential workers, cloth masks that can cover the mouth and nose may be worn in public, especially if six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained. A word of caution for smokers and those fond of vaping: now would be a good time to quit, as smoking can weaken your lungs and make them prone to pneumonia- the worst complication of Covid-19 – pushing the patient into intensive care and dependency on a ventilator for life support. All essential workers with underlying chronic diseases like Diabetes and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema) must wash their hands thoroughly, regularly, and frequently, and maintain minimal touching of surfaces with hands. That is their key to avoid becoming victims of Covid-19.

Copyright Anika H. Ahmed, MD, The Stanwork Group

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