CELEBRITY’S WORLD- CHRIS AKOLO

Welcome to another segment of CELEBRITY’S WORLD. This week, we will be talking and learning more about Coronavirus. We have an health speacailist who will be explaning to us all widely about the Coronavirus. Please open your mind to learn more. Let’s go straight in and talk with our guest for this week, CHRIS AKOLO……

1. Kindly introduce yourself to our readers

My name is Chris Akolo, an infectious disease/global health specialist with over 26 years’ clinical experience and currently a Technical Director with FHI 360, an international nonprofit working to improve the health and well-being of people in the United States and around the world. Within the organization, I lead a team of technical experts in the area of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and most recently COVID-19 and we provide support around these disease areas in over 60 countries across the globe.

2. Can you give an overview of the origin of coronavirus or covid-19?

The exact source of this virus is still relatively unknown. However, there are many theories about its origin. COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that infect people and many different species of animals, such as cats, bats, cattle, and camels.  Sometimes, animal coronaviruses, including MER-Cov, SARS-Cov, and now COVID-19, can infect people and then spread from person to person. All three of these viruses have been traced and found to have their origins in bats. The first human cases of COVID-19 were first reported in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019 with some of them being linked to a wholesale food market in Wuhan. Many of the initial patients were either stall owners, market employees, or regular visitors to this market. Available evidence to date suggests that the virus has a natural animal origin and is not a manipulated or constructed virus. Since there is usually limited close contact between humans and bats, it is more likely that transmission of the virus to humans happened through another animal species, one that is more likely to be handled by humans such as a domestic animal, a wild animal, or a domesticated wild animal. Several investigations to better understand the source of the outbreak in China are currently underway or planned.

3. How does the virus spread? Can one say with certainty?

While we still have a lot to learn about this virus, available evidence suggests that COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through droplets. These droplets are from coughing, sneezing, or talking. The virus gain entry into the body when these droplets are in contact with certain surfaces of the body (e.g., eyes, nose, and mouth), After someone is exposed to the virus, it usually takes an average of 5 to 6 days for symptoms to develop (overall, 2-14 days), but sometimes one can be asymptomatic while still being a carrier of the virus and transmitting it to other people. Therefore, physical distancing and use of masks are recommended as preventive measures for the infection.

4. What are some of the protective measures that the doctors, nurses and other people who work with people with coronavirus take?

First care responders or individuals who directly treat and work with people who have COVID-19 make sure to always wear protective gear. This includes masks, face shields, gowns, gloves, etc. They also make sure they are constantly washing their hands to get rid of any germs left on them as well as clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, objects and items. 

5. The government has shut down schools and most public areas for now. What additional steps can parents take to protect their children from getting it?

It may not be the easiest thing, but certainly one of the most effective strategies that parents can use is to keep their children at home. The more contact their child has with others (even those without symptoms), the greater the chance of them getting the virus. Physical distancing is still necessary and even though a lot of kids have friends in their neighborhoods, it is generally not advisable that they go outside and play because you never know where those other kids have been. This is mostly for younger kids though, who don’t really understand the situation. For older kids, parents can still let them go out around the neighborhood to talk with their friends if they are following safety protocol: wearing a mask and staying at least 6 feet away with no physical contact. Older kids have a better understanding of the situation and are more likely to follow the guidelines for staying safe to not catch the virus.

6. From your perspective as a doctor, is it wise or advisable to open the country now or should the government ask people to stay home?

ANS: I think this depends on the locality. Therefore, we cannot use the “one size fits all” approach. In cities where the rate of infection is down, such places could reopen but ensure safety protocol continues to be followed. They also need to ensure people from other places don’t come in because that can cause a rise in cases again. If people come in from other places, they should self-quarantine for 14 days before being in contact with others. Testing must also continue so new hotspot are quickly identified and measures instituted to prevent further spread. In states and cities where there is a surge in new cases, hospitalization, and death, testing must continue, and lockdown measures should be instituted until the infections rate is curbed and it becomes safe to reopen. In summary, the approach to reopening the country will depend largely on the epidemiology of the infection in each locality.

7. Several States and localities are opening up gradually, what can be done to protect oneself from getting infected or a second wave of infections because the virus is still in the air?

ANS: There are many things that people can do to protect themselves from getting infected with the virus, most of which being hygienic things. They include the following:

• Staying home as much as possible and only go out when necessary

• Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after touching surfaces or items that other people have touch

• Covering your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze

• Staying home when you’re feeling sick

• Avoiding close contact with those who are sick

• Avoiding touching your eyes, mouth, and nose

• Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that you touch frequently everyday such as phones, doorknobs, tables, countertops, and many others.

8.In people who have recovered from coronavirus, is it possible for them to get it again?

ANS: Based on available evidence, this is still unknown. Some experts believe that if COVID-19 behaves like the other forms of coronavirus, then those who have recovered and have developed enough antibodies may be immune for a while, but slowly lose that immunity over time (maybe in a few months). Studies are still going on to better understand this assumption. There have been reports of people who previously tested positive to COVID-19 who recovered, then tested negative but later tested positive again.  

9. Would you say that coronavirus affects a particular group of people or is it same for everyone in the world?

ANS: People of all ages are at risk of getting infected with coronavirus, but older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. Some of these medical conditions are asthma, diabetes mellitus, heart diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc. It is important to note that while young people may not be at high risk of become severely ill or dying from infection with the virus, they stand the chance of acquiring the infection and spreading it to older people who may end up dying from the virus. With the continued spread of the virus within the United States, there are ongoing reports of increasing number of cases among young people and people without any significant pre-existing medical condition.

10. Is there prophylaxis medication for one who do not have coronavirus?

ANS: There is currently no medication that people who do not have the virus can take to prevent them from getting COVID-19, but those infected should receive proper care to relieve and treat their symptoms and those with more severe disease are hospitalized and sometimes will require intensive care at the ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

11. Final word of advice for our readers on what to do to stay safe over this period?

ANS: Everyone should continue to stay up to date with information about the virus, stay home as much as possible, practice physical distancing, wash their hands frequently, and use their masks when in public.

Thank you so much for doing this interview with me, CHRIS AKOLO. I hope that when next we hear about you, it will be nothing else but success.

Alright readers, I do hope you all have learnt one thing or more about Coronavirus, please make sure you are doing everything you can to protect yourself and the people around you. Till I come your way next week, I am Nancy Anyakwo, do stay blessed and have a lovely week. BYE…….