News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Regional Infection Prevention Physician Dr. Mark Pierce said we should be concerned but not panicked by the coronavirus.
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic Wednesday concerned about the spread and severity of the outbreak.
“There’s so much panic over it, I don’t think that’s necessary, but I think we should be concerned,” Pierce said. “We always get on to the public for not being enough concerned about flu. I think if we do have a significant pandemic in the U.S., we will be a lot more sensitive to that.”
A pandemic refers to a virus spreading geographically. Pierce said the virus appears to more dangerous than flu, causing more people to become ill. But Pierce added scientists do not have a real good handle on that part of the story. It causes respiratory illness very similar to the flu with fever and congestion.
But Pierce added the average, healthy adult will not get very ill from this coronavirus.
“You could consider just staying home and not seeing anybody,” Pierce said. “We do not have widespread available treatment. It would just be symptomatic treatment.”
If you begin to suffer high fever and shortness of breath, Pierce said you should contact a medical provider quickly.
Just like the flu, you should follow the same rules as you do during flu season. Pierce said covering your cough and washing your hands frequently are basic ways to fight coronaviruses. Pierce said you should stay home if you are ill.
“We don’t think that this virus just floats around in the air and lands on you if you walk through an area,” Pierce said. “We feel like you have to be relatively close to someone for a period of time.”
The CDC and several private labs have developed tests for COVID-19. Cookeville Regional does not yet have those tests, but Pierce said they soon will. However, he urged anyone who might be worried about coronavirus symptoms to call their medical provider before they come to a hospital or medical facility.
The elderly have been much more susceptible to this coronavirus. Children appear to be more resistant, something Pierce said can be common among viral illnesses.
Many are concerned about traveling and large events nationwide from sports to trade shows to political rallies have been cancelled in recent days. Pierce said those decisions are hard because we do not have a full picture of the outbreak.
“I don’t think there’s any problem with being very cautious about that,” Pierce said. “I’d have to look at where they’re going. I probably wouldn’t go to Italy or China right now. You’d have to think about that on a case-by-case basis.”
