It seems everyone has an opinion about how COVID19 statistics are counted in the United States. Those who want to minimize the death toll are quick to point out that many of the people who have died from COVID19 also had other pre-existing conditions that may have caused their death. I’m not a physician or a coroner, so I’m not going to second guess the CDC. These are the official numbers released by the United States CDC as of September 13, 2020 for COVID19 infections and deaths:

USA - 6,467,481 TOTAL CASES

+40,423 Cases since yesterday

CDC | Updated: Sep.13, 2020 1:33PM

USA - 193,195 TOTAL DEATHS

+807 Deaths since yesterday

CDC | Updated: Sep.13, 2020 1:33PM

USA - 240,602 Cases in Last 7 Days

CDC | Updated: Sep.13, 2020 1:33PM

These figures are more than numbers, they are actual people – mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, husbands, wives, and partners; members of the LGBTQ community, Christians-Catholics and Protestants, Atheists, Agnostics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus, Blacks, Whites, Latinx, Asians, Pacific Islanders and Indigenous peoples, short people, tall, people, Skinny people, obese people, blondes, brunettes, redheads, raven-haired and people with no hair, young, old and everything in between; wealthy, middle class and impoverished people; first responders, criminals, entrepreneurs and the habitually unemployed; celebrities, Average Joes, homeless people; athletes, genius’, the physically or mentally challenged. Doctors, nurses, teachers, and other essential workers. I could go on and on, but I hope I’ve made you think of these people as so much more than a number or a statistic… a ratio or an average.

We must all do our part to help stop the spread of this deadly virus:

1. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth in all public spaces and when you are in contact with vulnerable family members.

2. Practice social distancing – remain six feet away from other people in public spaces

3. Avoid large gatherings of people.

4. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Make sure you wash the fronts and backs of your hands, in between your fingers and your wrists (roll up those sleeves). You must wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice. Rinse your hands and dry them with a clean towel. Check out this link to the CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html. It will remind you of when and why you need to wash your hands. It also contains tips for using hand sanitizer correctly.

5. Do not cover your mouth and nose with your hands when you cough or sneeze. Cough/sneeze into the bend of your arm. Always throw tissues away after use and wash your hands.

6. Don’t touch your face with your hands.

7. Maintain good personal hygiene.

8. Be sure to clean items you touch often with sanitizing wipes, soap, and water or vinegar and water. This includes doorknobs, light switches, the handle of your toilet, telephones, computers/laptops/tablets, faucets, your wallet/purse, and computer carrying case/attaché case. Think about it - your purse, computer carrying case, or attaché case goes most places you go. It gets thrown in the car, set on tables, counters, and on the floor.

9. Be sure to wash surfaces like countertops, tables, or desks where you set items coming into the house like your mail or shopping bags.

10. Close the lid of the toilet before flushing.

11. Store medicines in your kitchen and store your toothbrush in a UV sanitizer or in your bedroom to prevent germs from flushing the toilet from contaminating it.

12. After putting away your groceries or other shopping, wipe down counters or tables. Wash the tops of cans before you open them. Rinse fruits and vegetables with water – According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture coronavirus FAQ page, “We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging.” If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can wash them with mild dish soap or a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide; be sure to rinse well with cold water.

13. Wipe down the handles of brooms, mops, rakes, and shovels.

14. If you are in an area that provides trash and recycling bins, only use those bins – do not place extra items out that your sanitation workers will have to handle – they are working during this time and we need to help them stay safe and well.

Symptoms:

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

·       Fever or chills

·       Cough

·       Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·       Fatigue

·       Muscle or body aches

·       Headache

·       New loss of taste or smell

·       Sore throat

·       Congestion or runny nose

·       Nausea or vomiting

·       Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

When to seek emergency medical attention:

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

·       Trouble breathing

·       Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

·       New confusion

·       Inability to wake or stay awake

·       Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Some information for this article was taken from:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html