SOCIAL DISTANCING
PERHAPS THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITY YOU’LL EVER MAKE.
The musical Hamilton is to me a work of inspired genius. The songs and their stories play frequently in my mind and on my iPhone, capturing the complexities of a time, of the people who were part of it and of our nation.
In these past days, the reprise that has played most loudly is from the song “Yorktown”. The lyrics…
“The world turned upside down.”
COVID-19 IS NO JOKE. COVID-19 IS NOT “JUST THE FLU”.
How is covid-19 different than the seasonal flu? Two essential pieces:
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It is 3-6x’s more deadly.
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It is 2-3x’s more contagious.
Yes, some people – younger people especially – have minimal or no symptoms. This makes it all the more dangerous. Even in the absence of symptoms, people spread the virus to others at the same alarming rate.
Those who are immune compromised or older are at the greatest risk of severe suffering or death, but there are outliers – those who are young and previously healthy – who are suffering and whose lives are currently at risk.
IS THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH COVID-19?
No. How did I arrive at this conclusion? We don’t have enough tests to diagnose people, an essential step in identifying those who are infected in order to take appropriate measures to care for them and protect those who are not. And we have roughly 2.5 hospital beds per 1000 people. To put this in perspective, Japan has 13 hospital beds per 1000 people and Italy has 3 hospital beds per 1000 people.
“HOPE ISN’T A STRATEGY.” HOW DO YOU STOP A PANDEMIC?
Science tells us that you stop a pandemic by stopping transmission through social distancing. No cure or vaccine will get us out of the current situation. Neither will be available in the foreseeable future.
For a disease as easily transmitted as covid-19 that means taking every step possible to avoid contact with others.
Simply put, cancel everything. Work from home. Exercise from home. Do everything you can to avoid contact with others. It is no exaggeration to say this may be the biggest contribution you ever make to humanity.
KNOWING WHAT’S RIGHT, WHEN.
Does that mean natural medicine doesn’t work? Does it mean that I should give up on my nutrient-dense eating, my supplements, getting restful sleep, stress reduction, movement and exercise?
Absolutely not. A foundation of nutrient-dense foods, plentiful in anti-inflammatory nutrients coupled with appropriate supplementation, restful sleep, exercise and movement will support your immune system and make you more resilient.
That being said, my hope is that it is now unquestionably clear what is immediately essential for all of society: SOCIAL DISTANCING.
I thank you for your partnership. I implore you to take the current situation very seriously and encourage everyone you know to do the same.
With gratitude,
Dr. Jessica Hehmeyer