A doctor writes:
It seems inevitable now that most of us are going to be exposed to this virus over the coming year, tens (or hundreds) of thousands of us are going to contract the Covid-19 illness, and thousands are going to die.
We are going to run out of something but it’s won’t be toilet rolls. It’s going to be hospital beds in general, and intensive care beds in particular. People who should be in an ITU bed are going to be cared for on standard wards, people who should be on the ward are going to be nursed in corridors, and people who should be in hospital are going to be kept at home.
It seems the only chance the elderly or people with chronic health conditions have is to delay their exposure to the virus until later in the year when there may be a bed for them, or to try and avoid it altogether.
So we should all:
Avoid crowded places or events.
Do not travel by plane if you can avoid it.
If you can arrange to work from home then do so.
Unless you are unwell please stay away from the NHS.
If you are due a routine medical review or have some non urgent problem you want to see your GP about please don’t come to the surgery. Ring us and hopefully we can do it by phone or video.
If you get a cough, sore throat or fever then go straight home. Current advice is 7 days. I would say 14.
If this happens and you have a pre-existing health condition (asthma, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, cancer, or any form of immunodeficiency) then get medical advice from 111 or your surgery by phone.
If you get breathing difficulties then get immediate medical advice by phone.
Do not visit elderly relatives or friends unless it is to drop off supplies.
Talk to them regularly by phone or video instead.
Tell them to do the same.
I know it is proving difficult for many people to convince older relatives but try to impress on them the seriousness of this. Tell them it’s doctor’s orders.
Additional thoughts.
We’re comic fans so spare a thought for the industry that relies on us to keep going.
If you have an order at your local comic shop then try and pay them by phone or online even if there’s going to be a delay in picking them up. Maybe they will be offering a postal service.
If you are out and about then pick up the prog and other comic magazines
Conventions are going to be cancelled so perhaps contact your artist of choice to pay them for a sketch or commission.
Support the small press comics people if you can.
And if you’re still reading this far then please think about some of the worst off people in society who are going to be hit hard.
Donate some of the money you won’t be spending on social events to homelessness charities, food banks, or organisations that support refugees (Just a thought).
Above all please be kind.
And now wash your hands.
Thank you for your attention.
Eamonn Clarke
A NHS GP
