As people are hearing about their close friends or family members dying or suffering or struggling; The reality of seriousness of this disease is suddenly striking them.

It is striking that all of the warnings that were being given to them are real. And they are feeling scared.

A few practical tips -

1) treat any fever or symptom like loss of smell or taste or sore throat or nose congestion or fatigue etc as Covid unless proven -ve (these days RTPCR negative Covid is present so before you end your isolation if your 1st report comes -ve ask a dr)

2) Isolate as soon as you experience symptoms. I know it is a panicky situation but before panicking inform your close contacts of the last 2 days so that they can isolate as well.
Any of your primary contacts should isolate as well.

3) Isolation can be a logistical nightmare, so discuss amongst your families & friends to form a support group before hand so that food, medical supplies, support in admission are sorted. You can also identify some local doctors who you can consult with in the eventuality.

4) If being the only care-giver or sole provider or single person who will need ho run errands then please wear a N95 respirator with a cloth mask on the front & shield while you do so, so that others remain protected & at all times maintain social distancing

5) Keep a spo2 monitor at home & check your spo2, temperature & Heart rate every 4 hrs & maintain a chart. If spo2 starts falling below 94% or HR is l<55 or >110 in the absence of fever seek medical help immediately without delay.

6) if your spo2 is remaining 95% or above, you donot need any prophylactic medication, just symptom based treatment for fever cough or whatever symptom you may be showing. You should maintain your isolation for 14 days & get back to routine post that.

7) Once you are + you donot need to get tested again to re-confirm (the system is already in strain) or to check if you have become negative. After 14 days you stop being infectious. So donot waste the tests that may be used for someone who needs them more.

8) If the saturation falls below 94% your doctor should conside inhaled steroid & starting anticoagulation for you + a close watch on stats. At this stage we need to assess the severity & getting a few additional tests like IL-6, D-dimer, CRP & HRCT is advisable.

9) If your doctor fees that the situation is worsening or clinically you need steroids they may suggest so if you saturation continues to fall below 92, at this stage they may advise home oxygen or admission.

10) if you cannot find oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrator is as an alternative till you look for bed. It is my request please donot unnecessarily hoard either the cylinder or the machine which we lead to shortage or price rise.

11) steam inhalation is not advisable in Covid as per international data, it may lead to aerosolisation of the virus so please donot do so. You can gargle with Luke warm water with added salt.
Nebulisation should be done only if advised by a doctor.

12) if you are going for vaccination, please wear a N95 with a cloth mask on top & a face shield (your reading glasses donot count as eye protection use tight fitted eye protection if you have to) at all times from the moment you enter till you exit.

I am using spo2 94% as cut off keeping in mind the present state of beds, doctor accessibility, oxygen issues & all. If it had been a better situation logistically my threshold would be 92% but at present I put patients who are below 94% on my priority to watch list

If you had Covid you will have developed antibodies which should last for 3- 6 months (the data varies)
Those who got exposed may or may not, can be confirmed by testing after 14 days of completing isolation https://twitter.com/LucknawiRooh/status/1385908169142984708?s=20