Local doctor: CDC guidelines important to follow

    COVID-19 is a serious disease and, at some point, it will come to Chase County.
    When it does, some of us may die, including possibly you and me. The longer we keep it out of our community, the more time we give our leaders and research physicians to work on answers to lessen its impact.
    The vaccine will take another 12 to 18 months. Although not evidenced-based yet, we already know that Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin taken together can be very helpful. HIV drugs and other antiviral drugs are being investigated.
    Plasma from individuals who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection is also being used. Antibodies against the SARS virus are being modified to work against COVID-19.
     Suggestions from the CDC are below. Together, we can take the following steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other. :
    —Avoid crowded places
    —Avoid non-essential community and cultural gatherings
    —Avoid handshakes
    —Keep a distance of at least two arm lengths (approximately two meters) from others, as much as possible
    —Limit contact with people at higher risk (for example older adults and those with other health conditions)
    Also:
    —Wash your hands often
    —Cough and sneeze into your arm
    —Throw out used tissues right away
    —Clean and disinfect shared surfaces
    —Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
    Only working together as a community can we limit the spread of this virus.