Coronavirus Outbreak: How worried should we be?
Channel: George Yang, MD
Date: 2020-03-12

1. Isn't this just like the flu? What's the big deal?
2. Social Distancing/ Self Quarantining
3. Why we should take this seriously

Hi, I'm Dr. George Yang.  I'm New York based specialist double board certified in Facial Plastic Surgery and Ear, Nose and Throat/Head and Neck Surgery. 

I wanted to address the recent concerns about Coronavirus to reassure the public while still understanding the seriousness of the situation, and not taking it lightly.  

We have the opportunity to perhaps turn the current Coronavirus outbreak in to a distant memory like the SARS or Avian/Swine flu outbreaks in the past.  Or it could also become a new normal if we just simply let it spread unchecked.  

Imagine in the future, getting both your yearly flu vaccine and also a corona vaccine, assuming a vaccine can be developed.  Or can we try our best to contain it and not let it get out of hand, by being smart and washing our hands regularly after touching things in the public and trying not to touch your nose, mouth or eyes afterwards.  Wearing masks which are not N95 rated are helpful in preventing accidentally scratching your nose or mouth after touching a surface that a person with Coronavirus may have touched after sneezing or coughing into their hand.

In medicine, we use a concept of universal precautions.  If there is a needle, we handle it as if the needle were contaminated with HIV or hepatitis, even though it probably isn't. 

If you treat every surface as if it had Coronavirus and treat this outbreak like a game of "Cooties" to try not to catch it, then we have a better chance of winning.  Assuming that everyone is overreacting and making fun of people for washing their hands or avoiding touching too many things in public is what happened to Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz.  There is a viral video of him touching every microphone after an NBA interview.  That attitude on camera was how he felt in real life and he would do the same thing in the locker room.  Although he probably didn't catch the Coronavirus from the microphones in that video, most likely he touched a door handle or a object which a Coronavirus Carrier had touched after coughing or sneezing.  Then he touched his nose or mouth with zero fear or consideration of washing his hands to minimize the risk.  Is it a coincidence that he was the first NBA player to be tested positive.  I don't think so.  

There is only one entry point for the Coronavirus to reach our lungs and that is through the nose, mouth and throat.  If we can be vigilant and let the existing cases of Corona take their course without infecting new people, then perhaps it can burn itself out and life can return to normal.

When washing your hands with soap and water, use warm water and try to lather for 20-30 seconds before rinsing off.  If you can't wash with soap and water, alcohol based sanitizer is a good second option.  Another idea which may be helpful if you don't have access to either, is to use a clean tissue to touch your nose or mouth if you have an itch, then discard the tissue.  At least there is a barrier between your fingers and the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth area.

In general, these are good hygiene practices to prevent the common cold, and the flu which happens every year.  Perhaps the rates of the cold and flu will go down in the future, with really good hygiene training from this Coronavirus outbreak.

I hope you found this video helpful.

Good luck to everyone, be well.  Wash your hands and don't touch your face, nose and mouth area without making sure your hands are clean.  

Best,

Dr. Yang