COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Missouri and in our practice. We thought we would reinforce safety protocols to minimize your risk.

After 5 months of this, we are all craving human interaction with friends and family. But it's important to still maintain precautions. Following these guidelines should help minimize your likelihood of infection when around others:

• Indoor interactions are high risk. If you do socialize with people outside your household, do it outdoors. Dinner inside sounds tempting when the weather is steamy and the mosquitos are biting, but is it worth potentially getting sick, having to quarantine for two weeks, and having to call everyone you have encountered in the last ten days to tell them you may have exposed them to the coronavirus?
• Outdoor interactions are only safe if they are small (6 people or fewer) and distant (6-10 feet or more). There are numerous case reports of outdoor spreading of the virus when larger groups assemble. The party can wait. Two weeks off work and calling lots of folks to tell them they are exposed is no fun. They won’t remember the party, but they will remember the COVID-19 infection.
• Masks have to be worn properly and fit properly to protect you. If your glasses are fogging, the mask doesn’t fit. If your nose is not covered, the mask doesn’t fit. If there are gaps around the edge of the mask that allow airflow in, the mask doesn’t fit. Take the time to purchase a variety of masks to find a brand that fits you comfortably. Mask tape, like cambeau, can reduce gapping and keep glasses from fogging.
• Face shields provide added protection from droplets, but don’t filter the air you breathe. If you are indoors, you need a mask. Faceshields alone are ok for outdoor activities at a distance from others, but masks are more protective for other activities.

Please keep these guidelines in mind as you strive to balance the necessity to interact with others with your family's health and the health of those around you.  

1. Lose weight. Obesity is a major independent risk factor for the infection becoming serious with respiratory complications. Women who are overweight are 3.5 times more likely to get lung problems and overweight men are 6 times more likely. Risk of dying doubled for those obese (BMI over 30) and is 4 times greater for the very obese. This risk was most striking in obese men under 60 as shown in this article.
2. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. If you are over 65 or have chronic heart or lung issues, you should have received the pneumonia series to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia, a potential complication of any viral infection. Make sure you get your Influenza vaccine this Fall (see accompanying article) regardless of your age. 
   
3. Exercise! It may be more difficult without the gym or with the recent hot weather, but the more fit you are the better you will be able to remain strong in spite of being infected. Something as simple as walking outdoors daily for 30 minutes is sufficient to strengthen your heart and lungs.
   
4. Take charge of any chronic medical problems. This is a good time to make sure your sugars are controlled if you have Diabetes, your blood pressure is controlled if you have hypertension, and your asthma is controlled on your current regimen. Now is also an ideal time to stop smoking as the benefits from stopping begin immediately. Make sure you are taking all of your medications properly.
5. Boost your immune system — See next article!

Dr. DeLaney and I are always available to assist in any of these areas. Please feel free to reach out to us if you would like to discuss any of these matters. Together we can minimize the risks from COVID-19.