Editor: Karen Isabel Siapno (Senior) - Chapter Vice President

Website Curator: Ify Chidi (Sophomore) - Chapter Secretary Assisant

COVID-19

Testimonials from healthcare professionals

“As a clinical informatician, I have witnessed that it is critical to exchange information in real time to implement technological support that is crucial for optimizing clinical management of COVID-19 pandemic. Sharing information about ‘how we are building the tracks in front of a train that is fast moving’ such as creating terminologies, tracking and predicting outbreaks, ensuring frontline workers’ personal safety and establishing workflow to remotely assess and treat our patients with the use of telemedicine are some of the useful tools to enable rapid deployment of standardized processes while maintaining high-quality, pre- pandemic medical care.” - Reynaldo (Rey) Sulit MSN, RN-BC Lead Quality Nurse Consultant, Clinical Informatics Specialist

“Who knew that early 2020 would be this challenging and difficult for all of us? This pandemic has costed lives, jobs, and ceased memories. It feels like battling an unseen enemy and spreading paranoia every day. Each day is uncertain and yet brings out the best in my profession. I am a healthcare frontliner. Yes, I am scared for my family, my patients, and myself, but I know that somewhere out there - there are a lot of us working to find solutions and a cure. I am not alone, and soon we can revive what we have lost. [Healthcare workers] are willing to work and not stay at home with the goal of protecting others - your part is to stay home and enjoy moments with your family.” -Shiela Sulit RN, BSN, CNOR

“The Coronavirus pandemic has caused indescribable loss of life and suffering. But as tragic as the crisis has been, it has also exposed a lot of weaknesses in our health care system. When this is over, we should look at those deficiencies. If we are able to fix them, we would truly have a world class healthcare system that works for everyone.” - Dr. Ikem Ajaelo, Emergency Room Physician

Real Facts & Symptoms of COVID-19

Author: Jon Sulit (Senior) - Chapter President

According to many federal agencies and disease experts, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 for short) is an illness that presents itself with many respiratory symptoms and transmission methods. Since December of 2019, the virus has infected over 1.8 million individuals worldwide, with over 500,000 cases in the United States alone.

Symptoms of the disease are similar to that of the flu, consisting of cough, diarrhea, fever, and shortness of breath. More subtle symptoms include muscle aches, sore throat, and headaches. It is important to note that the main difference in symptoms is that COVID-19 symptoms appear gradually compared to rapid onset from the flu. An individual who contracts COVID-19 may not display symptoms for up to 14 days. Transmission methods mainly consist of exposure to an infected person’s droplets (cough, sneeze) into an uninfected person (enters their system after touching/breathing it in). Although many individuals have died due to the virus or complications related to the virus, an overwhelming majority have survived and recovered. Of course, every person should still do their part to stop the spread.

Current testing methods have become more accessible as countries get closer to putting a number on their infection count. No vaccine has been approved, but versions have already entered phase 1 testing.

If you or someone you know feels that they may have contracted the virus, stay home and talk with a health provider via telephone. Staying indoors as much as possible will help minimize the spread. Follow your health provider’s instructions and keep a distance from other individuals.

Coronavirus Statistics

Author: Karen Isabel Siapno (Senior) - Chapter Vice President

What Political Leaders Are Doing

Author: Kyle Coaker (Junior) - Chapter Member

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to mitigate its impact on less fortunate communities, local political leaders across the country enact new policies day by day to help with the current situation. Members of the state carry especially strong approval rates for their governors’ with ratings up to 72% on average. With a 79% approval rating among its state residents, California Governor Gavin Newsom promises to deliver over 200 million medical masks per month to his state’s doctors and nurses battling the virus. Other state governors also responded appropriately to the virus with Texas Governor Greg Abbott extending his state’s Disaster Declaration to provide more Texan communities with resources and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan partnering with Johns Hopkins to identify antibodies in recovered patients’ plasma and increase treatment for patients with the disease.

On the national scale, President Donald Trump has had a much lower approval rating, with an average approval rating of 45% among the states. He has ignored calls to participate in a global taskforce to help developing countries, argues against scientific and medical experts, and even said in an interview with a Swiss reporter, “It’s going to be just fine”.

During this time of sudden change and national worry, it is clear that people should continue to support and look up to their state governors to ensure the best possible outcome for themselves and for residents across the country.

How To Stop The Spread

Author: Khai-yi Luong (Senior) - Chapter Member

Globally, the new coronavirus, COVID-19, has claimed the lives of over 100,000 people while nearly 2,000,000 cases are confirmed. To combat this growing, but containable disease, medical professionals across the world are working day in and day out to treat patients as well as develop vaccines to cure those infected and prevent infection in others. Although there are currently no successful vaccines available for COVID-19, there are measures that everyone can take to help drastically slow the spread of this disease while medical professionals continue to work towards a cure.

First and foremost, it is important to understand how COVID-19 spreads among humans before we can begin taking prevention measures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person in respiratory droplets from someone who is infected.” Although this is the main way in which COVID-19 spreads, contact with contaminated surfaces or objects may also spread the disease.

To minimize and prevent contact with the coronavirus, the following measures are recommended:

• Stay a minimal distance of 6 feet away from people who are not members of your household.
• Regularly wash hands with soap. Using soap and water is the most effective way to clean hands because it eliminates all types of germs and chemicals whereas hand sanitizers do not.

1. Scrub hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.
2. If soap and water is unavailable, use alcohol-based hand rubs with at least 60% alcohol.

• Viruses can enter the body through openings; avoid touching of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) advises to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing and to dispose of the tissue immediately.
• Cloth face coverings are recommended by the CDC if you are in a public setting. They can be inexpensively made using common household items.

• Stay home as much as possible and avoid public transportation if going out is necessary.
• Clean surfaces and objects that are frequently touched like doorknobs and counters. Use cleaning products.

These measures are easy to follow and are within our control. If we can all take action to help minimize the effects of COVID-19, we can provide greater protection to our families, our communities, and our nation.

Sources:

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‌“Governors Average 27 Percentage Points Higher in Approval for COVID-19 Response than President Trump.” Msn.Com, Governors average 27 percentage points higher in approval for COVID-19 response than President Trump, 2 Apr. 2020, www.msn.com/en-us/news/coronavirus/governors-average-27-percentage-points-higher-in-approval-for-covid-19-response-than-president-trump/ar-BB125j1Z?li=BBnb7Kz. Accessed 13 Apr. 2020.

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‌“Governor Greg Abott Extends Disaster Declaration for COVID-19.” KVEO-TV, 12 Apr. 2020, www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/governor-greg-abott-extends-disaster-declaration-for-covid-19/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2020.

‌Crummy, Brianna. “Maryland Governor Institutes Budget Freeze, Launches New Testing Program to Combat Coronavirus.” NBC4 Washington, NBC4 Washington, 10 Apr. 2020, www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-governor-speaks-after-state-emerges-as-coronavirus-hot-spot/2270286/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2020.

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