A Few Thoughts About Coronavirus.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

YOU DON'T NEED TO BE TRAVELING TO ENSURE YOU ARE CURRENT WITH ALL YOUR BASIC VACCINATIONS INCLUDING FLU SHOTS AND PNEUMONIA.

We have tried on our website to provide information and explanation about health issues affecting travelers, especially about new and emerging concerns. Often there has been inadequate advice from sources who should have offered guidance.  

In the present situation with the new coronavirus and the rapid changes, CDC, we believe, is doing an exemplary job of keeping everyone informed and we don’t think it is helpful for us to be adding another level of advice, beyond a few comments:

Don’t panic.

Don’t be frightened by the breathless, hysterical news items you see—especially on TV. These people want to sell newspapers and TV advertising and are often ill-informed and doing a public disservice to raise their ratings.

For latest on-going updates, go to the CDC website:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

Get a regular flu shot!

We are still in flu season and vaccine is available. Don’t fail to do this, especially if traveling—overseas or domestically. If you have a fever from ordinary flu, you could end up quarantined or refused entry onto a flight.  

Get in the habit of the usual precautions to prevent disease spread:

• Wash hands often, especially after public contact—the grocery store, the bank, etc.

• Use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash. Carry it with you.

• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

• If you lick your finger while turning pages—break the habit.

• There is some controversy regarding masks. We feel they can be useful but know that the stuff that gets filtered out is now on the outer surface of the mask, so handle used masks carefully. Dispose of them frequently and then wash your hands.

• This last bit of advice is often ignored, but—stay home if you are sick!

We hope you stay well. If you have concerns or need vaccines, let us know.