CaroMont Health doctor separates COVID-19 fact from fiction

The Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a video conference with CaroMont Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Todd Davis on Thursday aimed at separating COVID-19 fact from fiction.

Some highlights from Davis’ remarks:

Wear a mask in public and wash your hands frequently.

Wearing a mask lessens the likelihood of you spreading spreading the disease if you have it and don’t know it, and lessens the likelihood of you contracting the disease from someone who does have it.

“It is simple, it is effective, and it does not hinder your mobility or your communication in any way,” Davis said.

As to hand washing, Davis said it remains one of the most effective prevention tools possible, and that he and his family wash their hands so frequently, “It feels like the skin is going to come off.”

How businesses should respond as they reopen:

Masks should be worn by all employees at all times. Social distancing should be adhered to in the work place. Employers should allow remote work as much as possible. Frequent hand washing should be encouraged during the work day.

Hospital and doctor offices are safe to visit

“Actually, the hospital or a doctor’s office is one of the safest places you can be,” Davis said due to the highly stringent safety protocols that have been established to protect both patients and staff.

Davis said too many people, particularly those with chronic health conditions, have been putting off necessary visits and check-ups due to COVID-19 fears. He said the hospital fears a rise in more serious problems because of this.

North Carolina’s protocols are working

Davis noted that some people point to the fact that North Carolina’s hospitals have not been overwhelmed by COVID-19 as proof that the threat from the virus is not that serious.

Instead, he said, North Carolina’s quick response — closing nonessential businesses, encouraging social distancing and the wearing of masks, and the issuance of a “Shelter in Place” directive had the desired impact of “flattening the curve” here.

He noted that in states such as New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, and Connecticut hospitals and their staffs have been overwhelmed.

“You leaders have done your jobs here in helping to keep this under control,” Davis said.

Seasonal flu vs. COVID-19

Davis also rejected the claims of those who say that the new virus is no worse that seasonal flu and the response to it is unnecessary.

While the symptoms of the two are similar, as are the ways in which they are spread, Davis said there are some key differences.

COVID-19 spreads two to three times as easily. COVID-19’s mortality rate is to 10 to 30 times higher than that of the seasonal flu. And there is no effective medicine to prevent or to treat COVID-19.

One positive difference between the two, Davis noted, is that children are far less likely to contract COVID-19 than they are the flu.

Davis did emphasize that in the coming autumn everyone needs to take the flu vaccine, not because it will prevent COVID-19, but because seasonal flu can weaken the immune system and make a person more susceptible to COVID-19.

As to when truly accurate testing for COVID-19 may be developed or, more importantly, a protective vaccine, Davis said those issues remain the number one priority for the world’s scientific community and that perhaps a vaccine may be developed by late 2020 or early in 2021.

Bill Poteat may be reached at 704-869-1855 or bpoteat@gastongazette.com.