Dr. Tsubokura's Radiation Lecture Vol.137

Author: Masaharu Tsubokura PhD.

Editors: Akihiko Ozaki M.D.,PhD., Yuki Senoo

273. Importance of cutting back on news with coronavirus-related content

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has rapidly spread across the world. Understandably, hearing too much COVID-19-related news can increase your fear and worry.

From here forward, everyone must maintain distance from each other and avoid crowded spaces to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. However, it is also normal for people to experience anxiety, insomnia, depression, anger, and frustration when their lifestyles are dramatically changed and they are restricted from going outside and meeting others for several days to weeks. This is particularly true for elderly people and those with chronic illness. It is important to note that experiencing such psychological conditions in these circumstances is not a sign of weakness but rather a natural human reaction.

It is crucial to think in advance about how to spend your time and relieve stress and how to maintain your physical and mental health, as well as to determine someone whom you can ask for support when you are in quarantine and must distance yourself from others.

In such a difficult time as this, it is vital to have a daily routine, even something small such as staying connected with your friends using cell phones or playing with pets. More importantly, it is essential to eat and sleep at the same time of day as much as possible. In addition, too much exposure to media coverage with COVID-19-related content can have a negative psychological impact. Although it is essential to stay up to date, it is also necessary to balance the time you spend updating yourself about the epidemic and the time you spend without such updates.

274. The Importance of the Commonplace

The ongoing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is severely affecting our lives. Coronaviruses typically cause common cold symptoms, and COVID-19 is also known to cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat, and cough.

It is understandable to worry about COVID-19 infection when you, your family members, or other people around you experience such symptoms, even when the symptoms are mild. However, unless COVID-19 patients develop severe symptoms, such as persistent high-grade fever or shortness of breath, the treatment for COVID-19 is the same as that for the common cold: stay home and rest, drink plenty of fluid, and eat nutritious food.

Furthermore, if you are having trouble removing phlegm from the chest, drink plenty of water to soften it. Techniques such as tapping your back could make it easier to cough up phlegm. The treatments and tips mentioned above are the same as for the flu, but they are important and effective for mild COVID-19.

When you experience cold-like symptoms, you should also monitor your temperature. It is also essential for people in the same community to talk to each other and look out for each other to prevent people from pushing too hard when they need rest. Although it might be difficult, it is crucial to follow COVID-19-preventive measures such as using separate rooms, limiting the number of people in charge of taking care of sick house members, ventilating rooms frequently, and disinfecting your home, particularly doorknobs and bed rails,

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The Japanese version of the manuscript was originally published in Fukushima Minyu, a local newspaper in Fukushima prefecture, Japan, 12 April and 19 April, 2020 was reproduced for MRIC Global under the author's permission.