<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="auto">Hi All,</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Harry Bate me this email he received from friend in the US.</div><div dir="auto">Lots of sensible medical advice on how to minimise the spread of the coronavirus and your exposure to it.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Stay safe </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Frances </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div id="composer_signature" dir="auto"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"><div dir="auto">Frances Perkins </div><div dir="auto">0423780498</div></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div><br></div><div style="font-size:100%;color:#000000" dir="auto"><!-- originalMessage --><div><br></div></div><div class="WordSection1" dir="auto"><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";font-weight:bold">Date:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> February 26, 2020 at 2:35:50 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">What I am doing for the upcoming COVID-19 (<span class="SpellE">coronavirus</span>) pandemic</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Dear Colleagues, as some of you may recall, when I was a professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego, I was one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on <span class="SpellE">coronaviruses</span> (the 1970s). I was the first to demonstrate the number of genes the virus contained. Since then, I have kept up with the <span class="SpellE">coronavirus</span> field and its multiple clinical transfers into the human population (e.g., SARS, MERS), from different animal sources. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The current projections for its expansion in the US are only probable, due to continued insufficient worldwide data, but it is most likely to be widespread in the US by mid to late March and April. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";font-weight:bold">Here is what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take. These are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza seasons, except for the mask and gloves.:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">1) NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">2) Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches. elevator buttons, etc.. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">3) Open doors with your closed fist or hip - do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">4) Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">5) Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">6) Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home's entrances. AND in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can't immediately wash your hands.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">7) If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";font-weight:bold">What I have stocked in preparation for the pandemic spread to the US:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">1) Latex or <span class="SpellE">nitrile</span> latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <b><span style="font-weight:bold"> Note: </span></b>This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average - everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">2) <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Stock up now with disposable surgical masks</span></b> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">and use them </span></b>to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth (We touch our nose/mouth 90X/day without knowing it!). This is the only way this virus can infect you - it is lung-specific. <b><span style="font-weight:bold">The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth - it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";font-weight:bold">3) Stock up now with hand sanitizers and latex/<span class="SpellE">nitrile</span> gloves (</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">get the appropriate sizes for your family). The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";font-weight:bold">4) Stock up now with zinc lozenges.</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking <span class="SpellE">coronavirus</span> (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and <span class="SpellE">nasopharynx</span>. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY "cold-like" symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and <span class="SpellE">nasopharynx</span>. Cold-<span class="SpellE">Eeze</span> lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";font-weight:bold">I, as many others do, hope that this pandemic will be reasonably contained, BUT I personally do not think it will be. </span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Humans have never seen this snake-associated virus before and have no internal defense against it. Tremendous worldwide efforts are being made to understand the molecular and clinical virology of this virus. Unbelievable molecular knowledge about the genomics, structure, and virulence of this virus has already been achieved. BUT, there will be NO drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. Only symptomatic support is available.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">I hope these personal thoughts will be helpful during this potentially catastrophic pandemic. You are welcome to share this email. Good luck to all of us! Jim<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";font-weight:bold">James Robb, MD FCAP</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p></div></body></html>