Dear all from the community of diss, Harleston and surroundings,
I would like to share my thoughts, understanding and my knowledge about covid-19, and explain what we are going to do about it at Cherry tree Vets.
Several different Coronaviruses are known to vets and doctors, they all belong to the same family because they look alike however their genetics will differ and create different types of symptoms in humans, cats , dogs and other species. Accidentally Genetic alterations happen and create a new type of virus within the family more or less dangerous. The more a virus is dangerous, the more it kills its host and therefore the less it spreads.
Over the years humans and animals are exposed to germs, bugs, viruses and following a first exposure the body creates antibodies to fight it better a second time providing the virus hasnât modified its genetic make up too much. The body creates its own âvaccineâ. When someone has a flu jab, this is to reinforce the personâs immunity that can be weakened by age or disease or stress. The vaccine gives protection because the body can better deal with the virus Infection and Keeps it at bay. When a new virus is on the block, and no vaccine exists, everyone is at risk at first exposure because the body is not prepared. The dĂ©fenses are not in place to fight. So this has a huge consequence:
Some people claim they are not scared, not worried and do not follow the recommendations of self quarantine or social isolation. True the majority of people who will get infected will cope very well with aches, headaches, sore throat, fever, cough, a bit of sneezing, a bit of low energy levels, or even nothing at all. According to headlines 80% of the population will get the virus. That is around 50 million in the UK. So we will likely all get it, the true problem is NOT WHO BUT WHEN.
0.7% to 2% will need serious care or they will die. Hospitals will see over 2 million people more that the normal burden of sick and injured, because of covid-19.
We can either ignore the social isolation measures and we will all be ill together at the same time, or we can trust that the isolation measure requested by officials will help us be ill over a much longer period of time which will help hospitals cope with the weaker, sick and offer better care to those that are more vulnerable.
We must think about the community. An overwhelmed hospital will have to make choices about who to save and who to sacrifice. Hospitals are not ready to care for 2 million more people than it has now in different wards. The sacrifices will be made either on some covid-19 infected people or lack of care because of lack of resources from other vulnerable wards.
What do we want : 2 million sick within a month and sacrifices or 2 million sick within 6 to 8 months and better care?
So the people who claim not to be scared should think about the bigger picture. Off course this is not a plea to be scared of the virus, but instead to act responsibly, for the sake of our community.
By confining, we are buying time for scientists to create a new vaccine and researchers investigate better treatments.
And then summer will be around... check the world map and see how much Africa is touched.... next to nothing. The cases reported are of those who traveled to Europe and came back to Africa with the infection. The virus is weaker with heat. This is important because the bodyâs response to the unwanted invader is to raise its temperature. So a fever is good, it helps. Do not take any ibuprofen, or any other painkillers known as anti-inflammatories, as this will strengthen the virus and worsen the symptoms. Instead drink hot beverages all the time, to keep your throat warm.
Isolation will help reduce the spread, even if you feel fine and mock the whole governmentâs lockdown measures, if you are not doing it for yourself, do it for the weakest amongst the community, do it for your parents and grandparents if you are still lucky to have them.
So indeed the coming weeks will create a new break in social life. The government's lockdown measures will isolate the population to better protect it.
Nevertheless, fragile people may experience isolation as an extremely hard test. In times of crisis, solidarity is a duty. I therefore hope that a chain of solidarity will be built between neighbours. I invite all those of good will who could commit to taking news - by phone - and the fragile or struggling to make themselves known to us Cherry tree vets, so we can help them and so that a close follow-up is organized and no one is forgotten. (Yes we do care about people, as much as 4 legged friends) People facing problems - apparently insoluble - can also manifest themselves and come to us for comfort or solutions. We will try to find solutions together.
For now, the surgery remains open. In the light of the necessity of confinement we are going to implement from today new measures for consultations.
- So that people donât meet other people is our waiting room we are opening new consulting slots from 8am to 10am every day, Monday to Friday.
- We will be booking people one at a time with 15 minutes between consults whenever possible so no cross over consults happen (we will try our best not to overlap) in order to maintain isolation in our practice
- We will only accept Saturday surgery upon appointment to protect people coming to us. So no more open surgery on Saturdays as this generates too many people in our waiting room together. Please book your Saturday appointment or you might not be seen if the waiting room has someone in already.
- We will deliver at the door any food or medication for your pets, to respect your self confinement, In Diss and harleston, if you do not wish to collect in person. The delivery will be free of charge but must be paid before hand over the phone. We will deliver anything else (bread, milk, tea... ) if we know in advance what your requirements are if we are to deliver something else already at your door.
- We will not be doing any house calls for your pets , if you are quarantined and your pet is ill, a neighbour should bring it to us, as there are less risks in transporting your pet to us rather than us to your quarantined home. If you are not self quarantined we may still offer house calls at our normal fees.
- We recommend that you order your dog food one bag ahead and keep it that way so you always have 1 bag as a reserve should our supply chain fail in a couple of months or so.
- We will not see people coming back from travelling from China, Korea, Iran or Italy
- We will ask all visitors entering the practice to wash their hands upon arrival with the hand soap or sanitiser provided.
If you have any questions, please pick up the phone , we will help as much as possible.
Marie , Cherry tree vets
Stay calm and wash your hands !
PS 1: itâs not a conspiracy!
PS 2: it is serious ! ... See more
