Once We Get Through the Pandemic, We All Have a Bright Future.

We know the "end" is finally coming; it's just that before the dawn, we still have a stretch of darkness to get through. What matters most right now is protecting ourselves and protecting our families. Once we get through the pandemic, we all have a bright future.

I'm sharing an article from Dr. Zhang Wenhong's team, with the key points distilled for everyone. Here they are: 1. COVID symptoms are very similar to those of flu, colds and other viral respiratory illnesses — don't panic. 2. People with normal immune function can get through it with fever medicine, a good sleep, plenty of water and some vitamin C. 3. So far, the Omicron strain has not caused specific long-term damage to human organs (long-term sequelae); this is something humans can cope with and accept. 4. Based on overseas experience, the first wave of Omicron infections peaks with large numbers of cases, while later rebounds in a second and third wave will be significantly weaker than the first. 5. The rate of severe illness among children and adults under 60 has dropped significantly; older people (aged ≥60) are the high-risk group for COVID infection, and protecting the elderly is the top priority. Being over 80 combined with several high-risk factors — multiple underlying conditions, cancer, taking immunosuppressants and so on — further increases the rate of severe illness. 6. Vaccination is the best tool! Vaccination is the best tool! Vaccination is the best tool! Vaccination can reduce the rate of severe illness after COVID infection among the elderly by as much as 76–98%. Elderly people who have not yet been vaccinated should hurry and get vaccinated as soon as possible, before the first wave peaks. 7. For many people, their most recent vaccination was more than six months ago and their antibody levels have dropped; 3 doses are better than 2, and 2 are better than 1. 8. Delay infection among the elderly, and try to keep them from being infected during the first peak. If we can push back the overall infection curve for the elderly, even by just 1–2 months, society's vaccine immunity barrier will be stronger, and medical resources will be more ample and less stretched in getting through the first peak. 9. During the rise and peak of the outbreak, go out as little as possible, wear a mask, wash your hands often, ventilate often and keep indoor air circulating; get enough sleep and balanced nutrition to boost your resistance, and look after your mood. 10. Elderly people with chronic illnesses whose conditions are stable should avoid going to hospital unless necessary, and stock up on the medicines they take long-term for underlying conditions (such as blood pressure and diabetes medication). 11. Elderly people, especially those over 80, should be careful with fever and pain medicine; taking large amounts can easily damage liver function, and may also cause heavy sweating leading to low blood pressure and shock. 12. Family members should take it upon themselves to protect the elderly, cut down on unnecessary outings and gatherings, and, once infection is suspected, reduce contact with older relatives.

Finally, Dr. Zhang Wenhong's team says: the novel coronavirus will gradually become one of our routine respiratory viruses, shifting from a pandemic to an endemic/seasonal disease. Perhaps one day we'll wake up and find that we have made it through the pandemic, hard as it was.

Below are screenshots of the original article:

"Protect Your Family, Get Through the Pandemic" — Huashan Infection

Original link: "Protect Your Family, Get Through the Pandemic"