Expert Advice
James Robb, MD FACP was a professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego and one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses in the 1970’s.
Robb was the first to demonstrate the number of genes the virus contained. Since this time, he has kept up with the coronavirus field and its multiple clinical transfers into the human population from different animal sources, such as MERS and SARS.
“The current projections for the coronavirus expansion in the US are only probable due to insufficient worldwide data,” claims Robb. “But it is most likely to become widespread in the US by mid to late March and April.”
The doctor hopes but does not believe the virus will be contained.
Dr. Robb states, “Humans have never seen this virus before and have no internal defense against it. Tremendous worldwide efforts are being made to understand the molecular and clinical virology of this virus.”
Robb related that while the unbelievable molecular knowledge about the genomics, structure, and virulence of this virus has already been achieved, there will be likely be no drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. The doctor claims only symptomatic support is available.
Dr. Robb recommended the following precautions based on his work.
- Instead of handshaking, use a slight bow, elbow or fist bump.
- Use your knuckles to touch elevator buttons, light switches, and touch the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or disposable gloves.
- Open doors with you closed fist or hip instead of with your hands, especially in bathrooms or commercial spaces.
- Use disinfectant wipes when available for wiping car handles and grocery carts.
- Wash hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from any activity that involves locations where other people have been.
- Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer available in each home entrance and in your car or pocket for when you cannot immediately wash your hands.
- Cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue. Use elbow only if necessary. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more.
Dr. Robb recommended the following items to stock up on to aid in precautionary measures.
1) Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas.
Why? This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! All the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average - everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth.
2) Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth
Why? This is the only way this virus can infect you – it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth – it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth. (We touch our nose/mouth 90X/day without knowing it).
3) Stock up now with hand sanitizers. The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective.
4) Stock up now with zinc lozenges.
Why? These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel any “cold-like” symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx.
While many hope the virus will be contained, it is best to take precautions and prepare for the worst regarding the pandemic that is the coronavirus.