Die wêreld is in rep en roer oor die COVID-19 epidemie wat uit gebreek het. Ek het met ‘n paar kenners op die gebied van Virologie gaan praat om vrae wat ek van lesers kry te help beantwoord. Ek is baie trots op die span Viroloë wat gesetel is in België en die wetenskaplike gefundeerde inligting wat hulle vir ons saam gestel het. Daar is ongelukkig te veel ongetoetsde werke wat op die internet versprei word en mens moet regtig waar sif tussen die stof om die feite te kry. Ek hoop hierdie volgende stel antwoorde op die vrae van af my Boerekos met ‘n Twist lesers wat ek aan die span gestuur het werp lig op wat ons nodig het om te weet. Sluit ook by die groep aan om te volg soos die proses aan gaan met Corona en ‘n span Viroloë wat gereed staan om te help as jy ‘n navraag het. Ek stel my dit ten doel om met kundigheid na voeding te kyk om immuniteite op te bou vir die winter wat ook oppad is.

Navrae kan gestuur word aan boerekostwist@gmail.com en sal dan aan die span gestuur word.

Kom ons begin!

“First of all, always remember that this is a new virus and we are learning more and more about it every day! (Tharien van Eck (MBChB; DOH), 28 Maart 2020

The crucial message is:

Stay home – keep your distance – wash your hands – practice good cough and sneeze etiquette  

Start with these 2 resources.  It was developed in partnership with 2 PhD virologists, so is 100% accurate. 

• https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/target-program/health/blog-health-matters/4289-the-facts-about-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
• https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/target-program/health/blog-health-matters/4295-the-facts-about-developing-a-vaccine-for-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

Furthermore, I use a few reliable websites as my go to for information:

• Dept Volksgezondheid, Belgium  https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/index.html
• ECDC: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
• WHO Q&A: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
• Individual protection: maintain your distance – wash hands – cough/sneeze etiquette(cough in your elbow, use tissues only once and bin it);

o   there is no guidance in Belgium on the use of personal masks; https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Cloth-face-masks-in-case-shortage-surgical-masks-respirators2020-03-26.pdf . I have been asked to make masks and said no as there is no scientific evidence that this is helpful. You will note that this article mentioned that it can even worsen the spread of the infection as people won’t care properly for the masks.

o   https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

o   https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

• Heath care workers caring for themselves and their patients: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html
• Virus on surfaces: look at the section called COVID-19 and packages: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china/questions-answers
• This section on the WHO is excellent – myth busters;  https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

o   Taking a hot bath or drinking lemon water will NOT kill the virus.

o   The seasonal influenza vaccine or pneumococcus vaccine will not protect you; COVID-19 causes a viral pneumonia.

o   Rinsing your nose with saline will not prevent an infection

o   Eating garlic will not prevent you becoming ill

• Susceptible populations:

o   Older individuals with underlying conditions (e.g. heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, immunosuppressed conditions such as TB and HIV) are more susceptible to the infection; but younger people can become ill as well as seen across Europe

• Treatment options: there is no defined treatment at this stage; there are numerous studies underway to look at chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, anto-retrovirals, a known antibiotic, BUT no evidence yet.
• There is a rumour going around that anti-inflammatory drugs aggravate COVID-19 infections; this allegation was made follwing a small study in France; there however is no conclusive evidence that this is correct. Therefore, to continue using the medication that your dr prescribes.  Paracetamol always remains the best for pain and fever, but it is not always enough, and anti-inflammatory drugs then must be used.
• Is the virus airborne

o   There are studies underway to determine that.

o   https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200326-sitrep-66-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=81b94e61_2

• Virus on surfaces:

o   https://www.webmd.com/lung/how-long-covid-19-lives-on-surfaces

o   Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).  If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

• Can you get become infected and all with COVID-19 more than once?

o   There is not enough evidence regarding this yet.  We will have to see what happens when China resumes more normal activity.

Bron: Tharien van Eck (MBChB; DOH), 28 Maart 2020