Coronavirus; are we mentally prepared?

Coronavirus; are we mentally prepared?

Lt. Patrick J Ciser (ret.)

I’m not an expert in the medical field, however, as an old-time street cop I look at many things the same as you do. “Just the facts Ma’am” and forget the hype. I’ve seen two other coronaviruses come and go, such as SARS, (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS, (Middle East respiratory syndrome). Now while this new strain called COVID-19, (Coronavirus Disease 2019) also attacks the respiratory system, there are some interesting differences.

COVID-19 is much more contagious than SARS was, however, it doesn’t seem to have the high mortality rate that SARS had back in 2003. It took SARS about eight months to infect about 8000 people, whereas COVID-19 infected about 100,000 in the first 10 weeks. SARS’ mortality rate was roughly, 9.6% of those infected, COVID-19 is much lower at about 2.3% according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, according to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, 80% of those infected “spontaneously” recover on their own. The actual rate of death could be even lower because many infected get well without even realizing that they had COVID-19. There are now seven known coronaviruses, with four, including the common cold, being quite mild. Young people are doing particularly well with COVID-19; probably due to their strong immune systems.

In the United States we have roughly 24 million cases of flu-like illnesses annually, resulting in 180,000 hospitalizations and approximately 16,000 deaths. If it weren’t for the flu vaccine, I’m sure that the flu mortality rate would be much higher. But as cops, should we panic when a new virus comes along? Not for nothing, but I’m one of the guys who lived through the AIDS epidemic. I was pricked by a hypo in a raid of a “shooting gallery” in Paterson, (NJ) and spit at by a suspect with full-blown AIDS in Clifton. Did these things stop us from doing our job? No! TB (tuberculosis) is, unfortunately, making a comeback in America also, with most cases being brought in by illegal immigrants. And I’m sure that you all remember the Ebola scare that kind of petered out.

Countless people worldwide, I believe, will eventually contract COVID-19. But who is most at risk from dying of the flu or COVID-19? Not cops really, but healthcare workers and older people; usually with underlying health conditions. Most cops are between the ages of 21-60, and not in the age range of most people who are succumbing. It seems that people over 70 are the hardest hit. What about symptoms? Generally speaking, if you have the flu, you’ll have a fever, sore throat, coughing, aches and pains. Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, coughing, and respiratory problems; usually no aches and pains. 

I’m not going to talk about washing your hands and things like that because by now, you’ve probably heard it all. I will say this though: Try to keep a distance of six feet or more from any suspected coronavirus patient. Viral particles emitting from their mouths when they speak, cough or sneeze, seem to drop off to the ground by five or six feet out.  Because COVID-19 does well in warm environments, it’s definitely going to continue to spread well into the spring, unlike seasonal influenza. SARS came and went in 2003, and I’m sure once we have a vaccine, COVID-19 will also become a thing of the past.

Bottom line; cops are survivors! With all of the clear and present dangers inherent to law enforcement, we still put on the badge and go to work every day; it’s what we do.

I’ll close now by telling you my secret to fight off any infection.

WATER FASTING!! Having a strong immune system is the best thing you can do for yourselves during this period, as there is no vaccine yet available. Experts on this subject claim, and I believe them, that a 72-hour starvation period kills off old white blood cells and even cancer cells. Once you reintroduce food after your fast, your body makes brand new white blood cells which gives you a recharged immune system. I took care of my daughter last year through a cold, and later the flu, and I never got sick. Personally, I like to fast for 96 hours once a year, just to make sure. Eat until 5 p.m. on Sunday, for instance, then start eating again on Wednesday (72 hours) or Thursday (96 hours) at 5 p.m. Drink water, black coffee and tea throughout the fasting period. Also take magnesium and a little salt in a couple of ounces of water each day. It’s not as hard as it sounds as you eventually become disinterested in food. On day three I was actually shopping at Costco and it didn’t bother me in the least.  Search YouTube for Dr. Valter Longo for additional information.