Infectious Disease Expert (and Deacon) Offers Coronavirus Tips, by Alyssa Murphy

Dr. Timothy Flanigan says we are in an upswing and will see more cases of the deadly virus, there’s much we can do within our communities, and as Christians, to help stop the spread of this pandemic.

By Alyssa Murphy, EWTN News, 3/10/20

With the novel coronavirus COVID-19 now in 80 countries with over 100,000 cases confirmed—and already 3900 deaths from the infection, many are panicking about the spread of the virus and how it might impact our own families—and ourselves. Over 600 cases are now in the United States with 142 cases alone in New York with a 35% increase in just one day. Not to mention what we’re seeing in places like Italy and now Spain.

Dr. Timothy Flanigan, a Catholic deacon and professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Alpert Medical School of Brown University, says the new strain of coronavirus must be taken very seriously, and although fear is justified, it’s also understandable.

“What you’re seeing is new and it’s unexpected. It raises a level of fear but it also requires adaptation in the medical system. So any patient that comes in with a concern of the novel coronavirus has to be fully isolated. And that is a difficult thing to do and the tests have to be run.”

Dr. Flanigan said it’s precisely the accessibility to testing that is the culprit behind these staggering numbers of infection. A couple of months ago, testing for the virus was more restricted, but now that test kits are available, the numbers will continue to rise.

“In the next two weeks as we ramp testing up tenfold, we will certainly have tenfold more cases. But I can’t tell you how good our healthcare system is of taking care of folks who really need it.”  ….

Read more here:  https://www.ncregister.com/blog/alyssamurphy/dr.-flanigan-on-finding-christ-in-the-chaos-of-coronavirus