The first coronavirus pandemic happened in 2003. The SARS (Syndrome of Acquired Respiratory Syndrome) occurred in China and also spread around the world. It did not cause much tragedy as the current Covid19; Hong Kong, however, had more than 1,000 deaths. I was in Hong Kong when this happened and learned a few lessons, similar to the ones we are experiencing now.
Diet - It looks like the virus originated from a wild animal common in the Canton province, including Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, among other cities. People used to eat those animals sold in the open markets. If you have visited one of those markets, you could imagine a virus, bacteria, and other microorganisms flying in the air just by the place's smell and dirtiness. Lesson learned: Being vegetarian and sanitation.
Masks - Then, everyone was wearing masks. I remember that I was traveling to the US when I decided to go to the plane restroom. When I stood up and looked back, it was a surreal vision of ghost-looking masked people. Everyone was wearing a mask. Lesson learned: Use masks and avoid crowded environments.
Clean hands - many times, people with contaminated hands would touch their noses, mouths, and eyes and get the disease. Washing hands, using hand sanitizers and alcohol, and even gloves was the measure. In my lectures about the immune system, I invented a device made with cardboard to put around the neck that makes it impossible to touch the face – I did not get any royalties from that! Lesson learned: Keep your hands clean and do not touch your face.
Stay at home - That was a hard lesson to learn. When I was in medical school in Brazil, I did not miss one single class when I got mumps – oops!! In any case, in the middle of that pandemic, if you sneezed, they would put you in jail (joking here). So, we followed the rule. Lesson learned: Stay home as much as possible, especially if you are sick.
Social distance - For the first time, I learned that term, which now is familiar around the globe; Stay far away from each other as the virus usually will not spread farther than 6 feet. It was easy for me to do so as I am precisely 6 ft tall, so I imagine staying away about the same distance of my height. Lesson learned: Do not hug or shake hands but instead use your body language to greet people.
Immune system - I presented many lectures about the immune system and learned a lot of new things. Astragalus was the Chinese herbal of the time, and even university medical professionals were using concoctions of the herb. I put my hopes on lifestyle, like a healthy diet, exercise, rest, and avoiding toxic substances. Lesson learned: Keep a healthy lifestyle,
Do not fear – For a few times, I thought I had got the virus. One time I was shaking, tired, and sneezing while attending a lecture about SARS. I was sure I got it, but then I went to the bathroom and peed for almost 4 minutes or so. It was the air conditioning that was so cold, and I was shivering. Lesson learned: Relax, listen to good music, have more humor in your life, and pray.
Well, I survived that coronavirus pandemic in 2003. And so far, I have survived the Covid19 too. My only struggle is to restrict contact with my grandchildren. The thing is that my son Mauricio is a dentist, my son-in-law, Caroline's husband, is an emergency room doctor, and my granddaughter Alana, from Andre, is going to school – not zoom school. I am following the above precautions and took the vaccine. The rest is with the Lord!
"A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you." Psalm 91:7
Diet - It looks like the virus originated from a wild animal common in the Canton province, including Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, among other cities. People used to eat those animals sold in the open markets. If you have visited one of those markets, you could imagine a virus, bacteria, and other microorganisms flying in the air just by the place's smell and dirtiness. Lesson learned: Being vegetarian and sanitation.
Masks - Then, everyone was wearing masks. I remember that I was traveling to the US when I decided to go to the plane restroom. When I stood up and looked back, it was a surreal vision of ghost-looking masked people. Everyone was wearing a mask. Lesson learned: Use masks and avoid crowded environments.
Clean hands - many times, people with contaminated hands would touch their noses, mouths, and eyes and get the disease. Washing hands, using hand sanitizers and alcohol, and even gloves was the measure. In my lectures about the immune system, I invented a device made with cardboard to put around the neck that makes it impossible to touch the face – I did not get any royalties from that! Lesson learned: Keep your hands clean and do not touch your face.
Stay at home - That was a hard lesson to learn. When I was in medical school in Brazil, I did not miss one single class when I got mumps – oops!! In any case, in the middle of that pandemic, if you sneezed, they would put you in jail (joking here). So, we followed the rule. Lesson learned: Stay home as much as possible, especially if you are sick.
Social distance - For the first time, I learned that term, which now is familiar around the globe; Stay far away from each other as the virus usually will not spread farther than 6 feet. It was easy for me to do so as I am precisely 6 ft tall, so I imagine staying away about the same distance of my height. Lesson learned: Do not hug or shake hands but instead use your body language to greet people.
Immune system - I presented many lectures about the immune system and learned a lot of new things. Astragalus was the Chinese herbal of the time, and even university medical professionals were using concoctions of the herb. I put my hopes on lifestyle, like a healthy diet, exercise, rest, and avoiding toxic substances. Lesson learned: Keep a healthy lifestyle,
Do not fear – For a few times, I thought I had got the virus. One time I was shaking, tired, and sneezing while attending a lecture about SARS. I was sure I got it, but then I went to the bathroom and peed for almost 4 minutes or so. It was the air conditioning that was so cold, and I was shivering. Lesson learned: Relax, listen to good music, have more humor in your life, and pray.
Well, I survived that coronavirus pandemic in 2003. And so far, I have survived the Covid19 too. My only struggle is to restrict contact with my grandchildren. The thing is that my son Mauricio is a dentist, my son-in-law, Caroline's husband, is an emergency room doctor, and my granddaughter Alana, from Andre, is going to school – not zoom school. I am following the above precautions and took the vaccine. The rest is with the Lord!
"A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you." Psalm 91:7