UNMC Dr. Ali Kahn Answers Questions about Coronavirus
By Jeff Turner
Ali Khan M.D., M.P.H. - @UNMC_DrKhan on Twitter
The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent widespread economic shutdown has generated substantial unrest all over the country. Protests have recently erupted in states like Michigan and Ohio and many seek answers. Dr. Ali Khan, Dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center offered his perspective in a press release earlier this month, “I would like to remind people that even though we are in a global pandemic – there’s multiple different epidemics in different regions of the country, even in the United States.”
COVID-19 has hit major population centers such as Texas, California, and New York with fervor – each state reporting over 10,000 cases and New York reporting well over 100,000. Nebraska has yet to see those numbers, but the cases reported have been steadily increasing, with Grand Island, Nebraska becoming a hot spot for the virus, since the pandemic hit the U.S. Hall County – where Grand Island is located, has reported a total of 283 Coronavirus cases – with more cases per capita than the more populated Douglas county.
“There are many projections that we will reach our peak near the end of April through mid-May and then start falling off in June and July,” said Dr. Khan. “There is concern that we will see a second outbreak sometime in the fall and we will need to be prepared for that.” In a statement to The Washington Post – the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert Redfield, warned that a second wave could be even more difficult, as it could coincide with the start of flu season.
“We’re likely to see a secondary peak in the fall – based on what we’re already seeing in China,” Dr. Khan continued. “Despite the fact that China was able to tamp down their epidemic – they still continue to see some cases.” China has seen over 80,000 Coronavirus cases, the origins of the virus have been a subject of hot contention between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Research from MIT indicates that the Coronavirus will become seasonal similar to how the common flu is now seasonal. “We know that nobody in the community has immunity to COVID. If you look in the United States, only about .1 percent of the population has been exposed which leaves a large part of our population at risk for contracting the disease,” Dr. Khan said.
Dr. Khan also went over what symptoms you are likely to see if you contract the Coronavirus – and how that might differ from basic allergies, “for allergies you are more likely to see things like a stuffy nose or itchy eyes – however with the Coronavirus, the danger symptoms are a dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and a fever.” Dr. Khan’s recommendation is that you check with your healthcare provider if you see any of the COVID danger symptoms.
Dr. Khan offered some final recommendations for protecting yourself, “in addition to frequently washing your hands and not touching your face, absolutely wear a mask if you need to go out for any reason – “we know that most diseases spread by droplet transmission from people who are infected, however, these people can transmit the disease before they know that they have symptoms – a mask will make it less likely that they’ll transfer the disease to others.” According to research from the World Health Organization – COVID is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact routes.
In total, Nebraska has reported 4,281 cases of COVID-19 with 70 deaths (as of 5/1/20). UNMC has COVID-19 tests available, although the first step in the process is a screening to ascertain your exposure risk and identify any symptoms. If you think you might have the Coronavirus, reach out to your health care provider – as you will need a doctor’s order in order to be tested. The CDC also has a self-checker that will help you to determine whether you have been infected.
Jeff Turner is a novelist, essayist, and screenwriter based in Benson. His experience in journalism includes KVNO and The UNO Gateway.
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