Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System think we could now be seeing the first wave of patients exposed to COVID-19 over the Memorial Day Weekend. 14 patients are in the hospital today, up from 11 yesterday. Seven of those patients are in the ICU, up from 5 yesterday with three on ventilators, up from two.
What does social isolation do to a person? What are the signs you’re suffering social isolation? Is social isolation dangerous? Who is most at risk? What do medical experts advise? What does social isolation do to my brain? What is the difference between social isolation and loneliness? How can we help the seniors in our families cope? Neurologist Dr. Jeff Burns, Co-Director of the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center joins Dr. Greg Nawalanic, psychologist with advice. Also Dr. Danielle Johnson, psychologist, talks about the effects of social isolation on children.
Dr. Johnson began the briefing by talking about the difference between isolation and loneliness, and especially how young people are coping during the pandemic. She says while it may be tough for mom and dad, it’s even harder for the kids, especially teens. She offered tips to help adolescents cope with the isolation.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, is vacationing at the beach in Florida. He joined by video to talk about his journey, what he observed in the airport and on the plane as far as mask wearing, and how he kept safe. He discussed how he plans to stay safe while still having fun, and says he’ll continue the same practices he observed in Kansas City. Those include social distancing, frequent hand washing, not touching his face, wearing a mask, and avoiding bars and restaurants. He also discussed handling his luggage and whether he had to take of his mask for security.
Dr. Burns addressed the problem of staying in touch with older relatives in nursing facilities during the pandemic, especially those with cognitive problems like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. He says the virus spreads quickly in that environment adding that a third of the COVID-19 deaths in The United States occurred in long-term care facilities. He says it’s important to take advantage of technology to keep in touch. He points out how hard it can be to explain again and again to someone with cognitive problems why they can’t see their family. He says try to avoid agitating them by debating something they think is right, but you know is wrong.
Dr. Nawalanic says it’s incredibly taxing on families trying to keep in touch with relatives in a care facility. He advises the best thing to do is maximize the quality of limited time with them, be as engaged as possible, write letters, send pictures from the grandkids and ask them questions about family trips and memories that take them back. He says loneliness has a big effect on health problems, while anxiety and depression feed on isolation. Even those not in nursing facilities can feel lonely and isolated. He suggests taking advantage of book clubs or movie discussion groups, anything that allows time for virtual group gatherings. He also had advice for families where the house is divided on whether to let the kids participate in sports.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the health system, also plans some time off starting tomorrow, when he’ll go to an isolated area of the Ozarks. He plans to check in along with Dr. Hawkinson. He says right now is not the time to let ourselves be fooled into complacency about the pandemic. He says it’s clear the virus can be spread by someone without symptoms, and masks clearly make the difference. He says it’s our social duty to keep each other safe.
Thursday, June 11 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Dr. Hawkinson will join the group again from his Florida vacation to show what he’s doing to stay safe on the road. Also joining is Dr. Steve Lauer, a pediatrician at The University of Kansas Health System, with advice for parents with young travelers.
ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:
The meeting is available by Zoom, both video and by phone. To join the Zoom Meeting by video, click https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone dial-in Participants:
For those without Zoom, call 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID: 782 897 8628.
The feed is also available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all.
Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
