67GOINGON50 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: 8 APRIL 2020

The Blogger has an honours science degree in Health Sciences 

 which included pre-med courses alongside medical  students.  

   She was a tv & radio journalist in Canada, London & Hong Kong 

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 8 APRIL 2020: including:

•      The Prime Minister
•      Corona Hypochondria
•      Encouraging news on infections but no letup in the Lockdown

THE PRIME MINISTER 

News of the Prime Minister's hospitalisation and move into an acute care ward after self-isolating for 10 days was shocking.  For most people, it struck a chill in the heart, brought tears to the eyes (who would have believed larger-than-life Boris Johnson could be brought so low?) and invoked fervent good wishes for a swift recovery.  Current reports that he is on oxygen but not on a ventilator are encouraging.  


CORONA HYPOCHONDRIA 

Even before the PM's hospitalisation, Corvid 19 was making hypochondriacs out of us all.  A sore throat, a dry but weak cough, a clammy brow and we were wondering:  Is this it?  Should I be worried?  Do I need to lock myself away; call a doctor; ring 111?

Coronavirus symptoms can easily be mistaken for colds or flu: 

Many people lose their sense of taste or smell but these are not classed as symptoms.  Allergies include hay fever.

If you're worried, reduce activities for a day and build in some rest and relaxation.  You'll either feel better the next day or realise you need to take some action.  

'When to Call the Doctor and other Coronavirus Questions by Dr Mark Porter in the Times (07.04) could put your mind at rest. 

Dr Porter says if you are going to run into trouble it will likely be 5-12 days after the first appearance of symptoms.  The thing to watcher is difficulty breathing.  Other Red-flag symptoms include blood-stained phlegm, chest pain when coughing or taking a deep breather and a high temperature that continues for more than 7 days.  That's when you contact your doctor, who will arrange a face-to-face or video consultation.

Danger symptoms are confusion or drowsiness, feeling faint or collapsing, paleness and blotchiness and/or blue lips or face.  Call 999.

ENCOURAGING PANDEMIC NEWS BUT NOT ENOUGH TO AFFECT LOCKDOWN

There have been reports of a reduction of infection rates in some parts of Europe.

Fewer new cases have been reported in the UK, too, but deaths sadly remain high at nearly a thousand in one day.  NHS Boffin Dr Whitty says the curve may be beginning to flatten but not enough for a relaxation of the Lockdown just yet.

That's not good news for police monitoring parks.  It's Easter this weekend and the weather is expected to be hotter than Egypt

Some Londoners have already been bending the rules...

Primrose Hill last Sunday afternoon

The government has now made clear that we can visit parks only to exercise once a day; sitting, sunbathing, gatherings (of more than 2) and barbecues are not permitted.  Fines will be imposed.

There have been suggestions that popular places like Regents Park should operate a rota system for families stuck in tower blocks with no garden.  

The peak of the number of deaths is expected during the current fortnight;  many vulnerable people have already opted not to venture out at all.   

The telly or net offers plenty of free exercise classes.  Gentle Yoga Flow, a 30-minute YogiApproved class on YouTube was excellent but could leave you so relaxed, it'll be difficult to settle to anything.  Also on You Tube is Adrienne with more muscular workouts of varying durations.   Tara Stiles combines yoga with pilates. 


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