COVID-19: What You Should Know!

The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting people and countries all over the world. In times like this, we must all do our part in preventing the virus from spreading so as to keep ourselves, our families, and everyone around us safe.

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In this article, the team interviewed the President of Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists (PAPP), Head section of pediatric pulmonology at SLMC QC, Dr. Regina Canonizado, MD Pediatrician & Pulmonologist to talk about the current pandemic and the specific measures we should do in terms of managing the virus.

Photo grabbed from the PAPP website

Being aware of the copious amounts of COVID-19 articles that have come out ever since the pandemic, we at Healtheneo wanted to publish a piece that was short and straight to the point.

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Note: This article will be based on the questions that we have gathered from our focus group discussion and the surveys we have conducted.

First, let’s start with the measures that people must take to protect themselves from the virus.

What are Dr. Regina’s recommended Personal Protective Equipment for everyone?

☑ Surgical masks

☑ Protective goggles or face shields

In terms of wearing gloves, she does not recommend wearing them in public, but we must always remember to avoid touching our eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. This is why we must always remember to bring our alcohol, and to wash our hands regularly.

We noticed that a lot of online shops have started selling cloth masks. Naturally, we had to ask Dr. Regina if cloth masks are effective in protecting us and everyone around us from the virus, and her response was that she does not recommend cloth masks, since these kind of masks do not have filters. She still recommends surgical masks for the public, and N95 for healthcare workers, however when surgical masks are not available, use of clean and appropriately fitted cloth masks is better than no mask at all.

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We also asked her how we should handle the PPEs after use, and she emphasized that surgical masks should be disposed after use, no matter the circumstances.

In terms of handling our items such as groceries and packages, we asked if exposing them under direct sunlight is enough to kill the bacteria, and her advice was that we do not need to expose these under direct sunlight nor UV light. It is not required to disinfect these items, but hands should be washed properly with soap and water after handling them.

Next questions were about behavior and proper hygiene everyone should practice during the pandemic.

Dr. Regina's recommendations were:

1. We have to practice social distancing, especially when we have to go out

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2. This is something we forget at times, so we have to remind ourselves to always apply the proper cough etiquette.

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3. Frequent hand washing with soap and water should always be practiced. 

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For hand washing, any soap will do but antibacterial soap would be better. 70% ethyl alcohol can be considered, since it is better than any other form of alcohol, but frequent hand washing is still better. 

At the end of the day, to always be safe, stay home as much as possible.

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A lot of people on our surveys were curious about the activities that should be adjusted or be done differently in terms of fitness, nutrition, and wellness.

According to Dr. Regina, we must eat nutritious food; having a balanced diet is enough, as well as taking multivitamins. Vitamin D, and Vitamin C are also recommended.

Lastly, Healtheneo team asked Dr. Regina to enumerate the common symptoms of a person who is likely infected with COVID-19.

☑ Fever

☑ Sore throat

☑ Cough

☑ Difficulty of Breathing

☑ Loss of Taste

☑ Loss of Smell

☑ Diarrhea

If you are experiencing these symptoms, consult your physician immediately.

For more information regarding COVID-19, Dr. Regina suggests that we should check the following:

• Physician

• Hospital Websites

• Department of Health (DOH) Website

• World Health Organization (WHO) Website

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website

This battle is not easy, and it may be far from done, but by consciously seeking correct information and following safety precautions and standards, we can all keep ourselves and people around us safe.

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Healtheneo expresses its gratitude to Dr. Regina Canonizado, and every other front liner all over the world. This pandemic would have been twice as hard without you all. Thank you.