The Coronavirus (Covid-19): What You Can Do About It

Paul A. Goldberg, MPH,DC,DACBN,DCBCN
The Goldberg Tener Clinic
Chronic Disease Reversal

The recent outbreak of influenza involving the Corona (Covid-19) Virus now reported in over fifty countries, has raised concern and anxiety. Fifteen cases have been diagnosed within the U.S. including one person with no travel history of being outside the United States.[1]  As of February 26, 2020, there were 64,287 reported cases in China and 2,495 confirmed deaths.[2] No deaths have been reported in the United States as of this time. There have been 2,817 deaths worldwide attributed to the virus.[3]

Knowing what we are dealing with is helpful in addressing this issue in terms of containment, care of the afflicted and in addressing concerns and anxiety. This is a new virus, or at least a new variant and what we know may change over time.

The outbreak of The Corona Covid-19 Virus began in China as did the Avian Flu Virus in the 90’s. Avian Flu Virus had a much higher mortality rate. Like the Avian Flu Virus and the Swine Flu Virus, the Covid-19 Coronavirus has its source from animals used for their flesh. The first cases apparently started in a “wildlife animal market” in Wuhan, China. These markets have vendors selling animals and their meat from cages they bring to the marketplace. The wild caught animals are crammed into small cages, deprived of any reasonable level of care and butchered in haphazard, inhumane fashion. The animals include live bats, badgers, birds, rodents, snakes, pangolins, monkeys and other wild species that the Chinese prize for eating. Those coming into contact with the animals both the vendors and those purchasing these hapless creatures were and are open to infection. We can say at this point that the Covid-19 Coronavirus is a zoonosis, i.e. spread through contact with animals. After infection, however, the virus can spread through droplet contamination from human to human.

The main symptoms are respiratory and/or gastrointestinal in nature. These include fever, dry cough, fatigue, sore throat and diarrhea. In severe cases, pneumonia occurs. As with other infectious diseases, those who are elderly, very young or are already weakened by other health issues such as diabetes, autoimmune disease or other conditions that alter the immune response are at greater risk. The use of immunosuppressant drugs including Prednisone (read “Problems with Prednisone”) and Biologics (read “The Dangers of Biological Drugs”) can also increase risk for infection.

Mortality for this virus is not well defined but the Covid-19 Coronavirus seems to have a mortality rate of about 2% . This can change over time based on a number of factors including whether the virus mutates.

By having a relatively low mortality rate the virus is able to spread easily. Adding to its ease of transmission is that some viral carriers may have few symptoms or even be asymptomatic allowing them to be up and around spreading the virus to others.

Currently in the U.S., the risk of contracting the virus is low. From an epidemiological viewpoint it does not appear that the virus will be well contained world wide which is a difficult thing to do. Even though attempts to contain it in China were taken when it started, in Wuhan where the wild animal market was located, it continues to spread in other nations. Some additional people in the U.S. may eventually acquire the virus. Again, please note, that the natural history of viral infections does not make this virus or any viral disease totally predictable.

Practical Advice

Most cases of Corona Covid-19 are not life threatening in its current form for those in reasonable health.

There are no medical treatments and there are no vaccines. Antibiotics have absolutely no effect on any type of virus and can create secondary issues. Supportive care is the modus operendi.

Two Action Steps to Take

1. Lower your risk of exposure.

   Clearly imprisoning and eating wild animals as the Chinese have been doing is foolhardy, cruel and leaves us open to disease transmission. These “wildlife markets” should stop immediately. Be aware that your animal companions e.g. your dogs and cats will not transmit this virus to you.

   Avoid being around people who show signs of infection such as sneezing, coughing, being feverish or otherwise ill. If you are not feeling well stay home for both your benefit and that of others.

   Vacation and travel within the U.S. is still safe. Check with the World Health Organization Website for current statistics of any foreign nations you are considering traveling to.

2. Maintain a high level of resistance.

   Obtain sufficient sleep, eat a healthful plant based dietary, keep stress levels modest, avoid over-exertion including excessive exercise and follow good hygienic habits in general.If you are currently suffering from chronic illness of any type it would be prudent now to work to overcome it as opposed to solely treating symptoms with medicines and alternative medicines. The chronically ill are more likely to suffer significant morbidity and mortality with the Corona Covid-19 Virus as is true with other viral diseases.

If You Get Sick

If you get the flu (of any type) stay home. If symptoms are severe, seek medical assistance. Be aware that there is no “treatment” and no vaccines for Covid 19. Supportive care including bed rest and hydration are the essentials. For the majority of people, as it appears currently, having the virus will only be a temporary inconvenience.

As our population grows and becomes more concentrated, the risk of communicable diseases of all types increases. Adding to that, foolish and cruel human behaviors like “wildlife food markets” add fuel to the fire.

Keeping ourselves healthy, maintaining good hygienic habits and reversing chronic diseases if we have them serves to protect all of us from contracting viruses like Corona Covid 19 originally and overcoming its effects more readily if we do.

Additional Articles by the Goldberg Tener Clinic

1. Interview with Clint Paddison Part I and II: Rheumatoid Arthritis
2. Ankylosing Spondylitis and Other Autoimmune Disorders
3. Reversing Rheumatoid Arthritis
4. Reverse Rheumatoid Disease and Other Autoimmune Issues
5. Problems with Prednisone: Why Inflammation is Not the Enemy
6. The Dangers of Biological Drugs (part I)
7. The Dangers of Biological Drugs (part II)
8. Tackling Inflammatory Bowel Disease Part I
9. Tackling Inflammatory Bowel Disease Part II
10. Bacterial Overgrowth of the Small Intestine (SIBO)
11. Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Gastritis and Colitis
12. Problems with Ant-Acids
13. A Radio Interview with Dr. Goldberg: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
14. Serious Considerations Regarding Colonoscopy
15. The Facade of Functional Medicine
16. Skin Deep? A Closer Look at Dermatological Issues
17. Reversing Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Regaining Good Health
18. Reversing Psoriasis: Questions and Answers
19. Chronic Skin Conditions: A Mirror of our Internal Environment

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0226-Covid-19-spread.html

[2] https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200224-sitrep-35-covid-19.pdf

[3] https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/