Dr. Steven Bishop returned to PartnerMD Live on Wednesday, April 8, with another coronavirus update, specifically touching on the latest model updates, mask guidelines, and mental health tips during the pandemic.
Dr. Bishop also answered many questions, including:
- Is it good enough to wipe down deliveries or other items with Lysol? Yes. The key thing with wiping anything down is to let it air dry naturally. Read the back of the packaging for more information.
- Can you give an update on testing, including what PartnerMD is doing? We received our first shipment of antibody tests done via finger prick. Our supplies are limited, so we will be using them on a case-by-case basis to those in need. We will also continue to use the PCR tests as well as needed.
- Do you recommend wiping down or spraying deliveries or is it sufficient to wash hands after handling those? It depends. If it has external packaging, such as a box from Amazon, open the box outside and throw the box away immediately, then wipe down whatever the item is and wash your hands. Do the same with any takeout or delivery food as well.
- Is there any additional research on the impact of warmer weather on the virus? We haven't seen anything definitive yet. Coronaviruses in general typically circulate seasonally, however they do circulate in some capacity year-round, so we are still waiting for research on this.
- Can you speculate on why the models have declined so rapidly? All models are subject to change based on the data available at the time. Hopefully, this is the combination of social distancing and the virulence of the virus not being as bad as originally thought.
- From a medical point of view, when does it make sense to stop social distancing? It's a great question, and one we don't have an answer to just yet. Sweden is a country that many are watching for "reopening" the country and what may or may not be possible to do safely. More to come in the coming weeks as we learn more.
- Are men more at risk than women? We don't know the answer to his definitively. There is some data coming out that shows men are dying at higher rates than women in what is called association studies. But we can't assume, with association studies, that the factors are all causal. For example, more men might be dying than women, but it's not because they are men. It might be because men are more likely to be smokers (just as an example).
- What do you think about high-dosage vitamin C infusion and ozone treatment being used in other countries? I haven't seen anything on ozone treatments, but vitamin C has actually been studied for a while for sepsis and severe infections. High-dose IV vitamin C has been shown to have good effects on people with septic shock, sepsis, and critical illness, so the data is pretty reasonable that it is a good thing to do. I suspect it is likely to be an option for treatments at large hospital and academic centers.
- What is the maximum dose of vitamin C a senior should take? The maximum dose that most people should take of vitamin C is a day is no more than 2,000 mg. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, so the odds of getting toxicity from it are low. However, if you take very high doses of vitamin C, you can put yourself at risk for kidney stones, so keep it to no more than 2,000 g per day.
- Is transmission of coronavirus more likely to occur via air or surface? We don't know the answer yet. It is likely dependent on how long you are in contact, and it depends on the surface and whether you then touch your face. Touching a surface in itself does not give you the infection. If you touch a surface and then touch your face, it is far more likely the virus gets transmitted.
- Are there supplies a family should gather in case a family member gets infected? In general, everyone should have a cloth mask. If a person does get sick, it's a good idea to try to get a surgical mask if possible. Gloves would be good to have. Ideally, the sick person should be isolated in one room in the house as much as possible, and caretakers should wear a mask and gloves whenever possible around the infected person. Also, a designated set of utensils and dishes for the infected person, as well as their own bathroom.
Steve E. Bishop, M.D.
As a board-certified internist and concierge doctor in Richmond, VA, Dr. Steven Bishop is passionate about helping his patients improve their lives through better health. He helps healthy adults adjust their lifestyles as they age and helps patients with complex medical diseases manage and improve their health.
