To Your Health: “How to Travel Safely” + New Stats

01 Jul To Your Health: “How to Travel Safely” + New Stats

Part-time Telluride local Dr. Alan Safdi, a world-renowned internist and gastroenterologist with encyclopedic knowledge of mind-body wellness and preventative medicine, posts on Telluride Inside… and Out under the banner of “To Your Health.” His blogs feature the most current information in his field: health, wellness, and longevity. Which now has to mean Dr. Alan’s podcasts are all about what’s on everyone’s mind: COVID-19. 

The links a few of Dr. Alan’s podcasts on COVID-19 are below.

This week, Dr. Alan talks about “How to Travel & Stay Safe.” Here is a link to his in-depth podcast on the subject. We need to be careful since this pandemic has a death rate about 49 times higher than that of the flu in the United States. 

Go here for myths about the coronavirus.

INSERT PODCAST

Below, recent update, Covid stats:

While about 0.1% of people who got the flu died in the US last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on the reported totals of cases and death the death rate from Covid-19 is currently about 4.9%. That statistic makes the average death rate from the pandemic 49 times higher than that of the flu. And, ass scary as that is, we are definitely underestimating the impact of COVID-19 since, for example, outpatient deaths in New York City have increased when compared to prior years, with COVID the likely explanation. Those numbers are not included in current US deaths secondary to COVID, which is already at about 125,000 people.

A new analysis shows the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City led to a surge in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) that placed a huge burden on first responders.

However, new research also suggests that widespread use of face masks can prevent a second wave of the pandemic.

Two mathematical models predict that the widespread use of face masks in public combined with physical distancing or periods of lockdown provides ways to manage the pandemic and reopen the economy, while reducing the risk of future waves of the pandemic.

People who have recently contracted SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, take time to develop symptoms — if they develop them at all. During this asymptomatic period, they can unwittingly transmit the virus to others.

The models predicted that if the masks were 75% effective, wearing them could bring the ‘R’ number to below 1 from a high starting point of 4. And that may be pessimistic: previous research suggests that even a homemade face mask made from a cotton T-shirt is at least 90% effective at preventing transmission to other people.

What this all means is that the pandemic in the US is not over and you should wear your mask, sanitize your hands and distance yourself from others. You can go out, but only if you bring your protective bubble with you.

Dr. Alan on Covid-19, more podcasts:

Blood Types and Covid-19.

Podcast 1: Proper hand-washing technique and more!

Podcast 2: Testing for Covid-19 and what are the differences and indications for each type of test?

Ways to boost your natural immunity during this pandemic.

A report on a rising “Danger to Kids.” 

What to stockpile at home during the coronavirus outbreak. 

Safe-distancing from runners and bikers.

How much exercise is good?

Dr. Alan, more:

Dr. Alan Safdi is board-certified in Internal Medicine and in Gastroenterology and is a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology. A proven leader in the healthcare arena, he has been featured on the national program, “Medical Crossfire” and authored or co-authored numerous medical articles and abstracts. Safdi has been involved in grant-based and clinical research for four decades and is passionate about disease prevention and wellness, not just fixing what has gone wrong. He is an international lecturer on the subjects of wellness, nutrition and gastroenterology.