By Manuel L. Morato
The former head of the PCSO Fund Allocation Department, Mrs. Tes Brazil, during my chairmanship; and as manager of the department that assess requests for financial assistance for hospitalization of patients, chemotherapy, dialysis, orthopedic implants, surgery and other requests of patients regarding PCSO medical assistance.
Tes Brazil finished her Bachelor of Science in Social Work at University of Santo Tomas; finished her master’s degree in Social Policy in planning at the London School of Economics; on fellowship grant through the International Labor Organization (ILO); trained in Japan on community based vocational rehabilitation; and training of social workers’ international programs in the University of Minnesota and had a practical course at Sister Kenny Institution in Minneapolis; trained as well in hospice and palliative care for cancer patients in London.
Tes forwarded this advisory which is very good – “Doctor’s advice about coronavirus:
1. It is pretty large in size (cell is about 400-500nm diameter), so any normal mask (not just the N95 feature) should be able to filter it out. However, when someone who’s infected sneezes in front of you, it will take a great 3 meters (about 10 feet) before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.
2. When the virus drops on metal surface, it will live for at least 12 hours. So remember if you come in contact with any metal surface, wash your hands with soap thoroughly.
3. The virus can remain active on fabric for 6-12 hours. Normal laundry detergent should kill the virus. For winter clothing that does not require daily washing, you can put it out under the sun to kill the virus.
About the symptoms of the pneumonia caused by Coronavirus:
1. It will first infect the throat, so the throat will have the dry sore throat feeling which will last for 3 to 4 days.
2. Then the virus will blend into the nasal fluid and drips into the trachea and enter the lungs, causing pneumonia. This process will take 5 to 6 days.
3. With pneumonia, comes high fever and difficulty in breathing. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You will feel like you are drowning in water. It’s important to go seek immediate medical attention if you feel like this.
About prevention:
1. The most common way of getting infected is by touching things in public, so you must wash your hands frequently. The virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 mins, but a lot can happen in those 5-10 mins (you can rub your eyes or pick your nose unwittingly).
2. Aside from washing your hands frequently, you can gargle with Betadine Sore Throat Gargle to eliminate or minimize the germs while they are still in your throat (before dripping down to your lungs).
Folks, take extra care and drink plenty of water.”
We must appreciate every piece of advice that can help us in preventing diseases from the present Coronavirus. Nothing to lose, everything to gain, as the saying goes.
For comments and suggestions email at mlmorato@yahoo.com