Metro Detroit Physicians Answer Your Questions About COVID-19

The continued spread of COVID-19 has altered daily life for millions of Americans.

Navigating this uncharted territory has forced the public to quickly adapt to a new normal. For most, this has raised countless questions and concerns that have yet to be answered.

Two local doctors join Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson to talk the do’s and don’ts of social distancing and answers your public health concerns. 

Listen: Dr. Lisa Elconin and Dr. Paul Thomas answer your questions about the novel coronavirus. 

Guests

Dr. Lisa Elconin, a specialist in Internal Medicine based in West Bloomfield, says she has been troubled by the national response to the pandemic.

“We got into the game six weeks too late, says Dr. Elconin. Despite the lack of supplies and testing Dr. Elconin says her office is adapting to treat patients in a safe and precautionary manner.  

Dr. Elconin’s advice to those concerned about contracting COVID-19 is to isolate.

“The bottom line is that people really need to stay home.” – Dr. Lisa Elconin 

Her tips:

• For those who think they may have been infected or have tested positive for COVID-19, it’s imperative to quarantine for up to two weeks.
• For many people who contract the virus, symptoms will be mild and can be treated at home.
• If symptoms start to become severe to call the emergency room ahead of time before seeking in-person medical attention. 

Dr. Paul Thomas is a primary care physician at Plum Health direct primary care in Corktown, an office that utilizes a monthly membership to treat patients rather than through insurance. He says that with job security threatened and instability on the horizon it is important to have comprehensive health care not tied to employer-based insurance.

His tips:

• Keep a pair of gloves in the car to use at the gas station or grocery store to prevent touching contaminated surfaces when running essential errands.
• The virus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours. For this reason, leave mail out for roughly two days before picking it up. 
• Swap Tylenol for ibuprofen (based on an evolving scientific study).
• To boost your immune system get eight hours of sleep, get some vitamin D when the sun is out and take a long (isolated) walk once a day. 
• If you are experiencing fever or shortness of breath seek medical treatment at the hospital.