COVID-19 News and ISI Santa Cruz
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Published March 13, 2020
As of Friday, March 13
all ISI Santa Cruz group events cancelled
(likely into April) until COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
This restriction is painful!
for me, and all our community leaders, in many school, faith, business and MANY other groups
who are now cancelling all group events in just the last TWO days.
but its WISE due to our social responsibility to not spread this HIGHLY contagious virus,
according to Santa Cruz county health advisory along with Santa Cruz City Schools
and thus cause harm to other more vulnerable members of our society,
and impact on our health care system.
While probably 80% of people infected willl only have mild symptoms, it will have bigger danger to people who are older and more fragile health.
so we need to be careful and considerate in not passing it around.
ISI's purpose is to offer friendship and hospitality to all UCSC internationals through our group friendship activities...
EXCEPT in this case ...
where the main prevention to coronavirus is SOCIAL DISTANCING...
While frequent and thorough handwashing and avoiding touching your face may help somewhat,
probably the MAIN way the virus is spread is
from an infected person breathing out (or sneezing, coughing) virus-infected moisture,
as invisible micro-droplets into the air.
As do most Common Colds, the COVID-19 infection grows in our LUNGS and respiratory system.
When an infected person coughs, sneezes, even talks and breathes,
s/he is expelling some of the virus with the moisture in their breath,
then nearby people breathe it IN to their respiratory systems
(more than just by touching your face with germs on your hands)
It is invisible, highly contagious, and people can be contagious for up to 14 or more days with NO symptoms
therefore, the BEST thing we can do now is
keep the recommended 6-foot distance between MOST people
because we don't know who is already infected.
Many of us, myself included, have had contact in the past two weeks with many other people who could possibly have the virus, unknowingly.
And because our government has been slow to produce testing (unlike South Korea who is already testing 10,000 people /day, and Taiwan and Singapore who were ready to handle cases when first discovered)
But in USA most doctors don't yet have access to enough tests to even know if we have the virus
~~ Yikes!!! ~~
So its taken a few days for all of us, myself included, to emotionally Reverse Engines on my motivation,
from feeling compelled to offer our long-planned in-person programs,
to realizing that those same events might unwittingly infect the very friends we are trying to help
~~~ Double Yikes!!! ~~~
thanks to THIS Excellent article showing the trajectory of COVID-19 in Wuhan and other countries
(Italy and USA are two of the worst prepared ones)
and how just one or 2 days of earlier pubic enactment of Social Distancing can make a big difference.
So... WHAT DO WE DO?
The closer you are to an infected person, and the more viruses are expelled,
in a huge blasting sneeze, for example,
the bigger dose of virus you get.
A bigger dose is harder for your body's immune system to fight off,
so you would be sicker with worse symptoms and longer.
Thus the SOCIAL DISTANCE between people
and amount of time together
make a HUGE difference,
between getting a weak dose of virus, or massive dose.
between getting a little bit sick and quickly fighting it off,
or getting VERY sick for longer.
Your body's immune system then starts building antibodies to the virus, once it is exposed to it.
Then eventually you become immune.
But that takes a bit of time.
With time, our whole population will grow more resistant.
Thus, the sooner we slow down the spread and severity of this highly contagious COVID-19 virus,
the less impact it will have on our population,
and sooner we can get back to normal life.
So let's heed this wise warning, do our best ,
and look forward to seeing each other again soon
after we get through this crisis together-- by being separate!
-- Our best prayers, hopes and love to all
from Peggy Pollard, ISI staff, and all our ISI Santa Cruz Team
Published March 11, 2020
TWO sources of vindication this week affirming Dr. Bob's Common Cold Care (and likely Coronavirus) Advice!
Dr. Bob says:
1. Touching surfaces and your face is NOT the main way the Coronavirus is spread.
(despite popular media advice to the contrary)
<< Santa Cruz Good Time article today: "The coronavirus does seem to be able to live on surfaces, though it is unclear for how long and doesn’t seem to be the main way the virus spreads." >>
but rather it is spread mainly by breathing in air from a nearby virus=infected person (contaminated by their virus-infected micro-droplets of moisture expelled by coughing,sneezing and breathing. The amount of virus you are exposed to makes a big difference in how well you can fight it off, so the further away you are and the less virus germs you get the better.
2. The virus replicates faster (= your cold grows worse) in cooler temperatures, therefore take care of yourself with Warm & Steamy practices!
A March 6, 2020 National Geographic article on coronavirus research speaks to what latest research is showing: " relatively recent research suggests that dry, cold air may also help viruses stay intact in the air or travel farther as they become airborne.
One of the first studies to test how environmental conditions affect viral transmission was published in 2007, and it looked at how influenza spread through guinea pigs infected in a lab. High temperatures and in particular high humidity slowed the influenza spread, and at very high humidity levels, the virus stopped spreading completely.
Warmer air holds more moisture, which prevents airborne viruses from traveling as far as they would in dry air. In humid conditions, the small liquid droplets in a cough or sneeze gather more moisture as they’re expelled. Eventually too heavy to stay airborne, they drop to the ground." >>
Thus, doing the opposite of cool & dry inhibits the virus from spreading and multiplying, as was shown from research done wayyyy back during World War 2 in the UK Common Cold research institute. Plus it instantly feels good so try it and help your body fight off a host of common cold viruses.
Published March 9, 2020
As we all know the COVID-19 is now a serious world-wide concern progressing rapidly,
a totally new thing for everyone on this planet,
so no human yet knows all the answers about it,
with already both big physical and social/economic impact.
So I’m analyzing much international, national and local news,
from UCSC, from my work headquarters , from friends,
and discussing it all heavily with my husband, Dr. Bob,
a UCSF trained (graduated with honors) 35-year ER physician
who has treated more than 100,000 patients with cold viruses.
(summary of Dr. Bob’s advice below)
Best way to decide whether to hold/attend our wonderful dance classes is a
~~~ Benefit/Risk Analysis ~~~
So as your teacher, here’s my careful advice:
The BIG benefits to social/partner dancing:
It helps you stay healthy and strong to fight off many diseases!
Partner & social dancing is a safe low-impact exercise that strengthens your all-body physical health
including your immune system
to fight off many diseases
(including COVID-19 when it comes)
plus emotional and mental health with social and physical connection,
exercising your brain to learn new moves,
and inspiring and delighting your spirit with enjoyable music
It makes us feel very happy,
which is VERY good for us.
Our RISKS:
As of today, Santa Cruz Sentinel reports two known cases (who caught it elsewhere
but no community spread of it so far…
so our infection risk here, is at the moment very low
for people who have not traveled to a hot spot, or who visited with people who have
That will change soon,
as news media will inform us.
Our TWO big risks are
1. getting infected
2. unwittingly infecting other people
it has a 2-week incubation period without symptoms!
If YOU wear a surgical mask, we are told the purpose is more to prevent YOU from spreading the virus,
Since it doesn’t filter out virus germs you breathe IN,
because they are too tiny.
Thus, for now, I advise that YES, holding/attending the class (for HEALTHY dancers)
is currently still OK, since there is not a public health directive to cancel such activities in Santa Cruz area yet
But certainly anyone NOT HEALTHY, or who is worried about it, should stay home.
(dancing is no fun if you are worried about it the whole time.)
So for those who are VERY confident you are healthy and NOT been exposed,
let’s dance while we can, and keep our ears in the news.
ADVICE from the wise Dr. Bob*
In addition to CDC’s normal advice of washing hands and area frequently,
getting lots of sleep, eating healthy,
Dr. Bob also recommends this lesser-known advice
for fighting off any common cold virus,
because they tend to grow faster in COLD temperatures,
which likely applies to COVID-19
since, although it is is a new version,
it is still one of the categories of Common Cold viruses:
Corona virus
(named "corona" because its shape resembles a crown.)
Keep your upper respiratory system Warm & Steamy!
by…
-- Teacher Peggy
*my husband, Dr. Bob Pollard-- a 40-year Emergency Room physician
(graduated with honors from renowned UCSF Medical School)
who has treated 100,000 patients with cold viruses in his career and has some excellent wisdom on Common Cold virus behavior in general from his clinical practice.
published Sunday, March 8, 2020
from Traditional Dancers of Santa Cruz, Contradance Community :
We are keeping an eye on the situation in Santa Cruz and do not think that cancellation of [yesterday's] dance is warranted. In these difficult times, maintaining the fabric of our community is more important than ever.
Local information on COVID19:
(One known case in Santa Cruz, not from community spread).
We do ask that you do not attend if any of the following applies to you:
- You have any flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
- You returned from travel in the last 3 weeks.
- You live in an area with sustained local transmission.
- You have had close physical contact with a person currently under investigation for COVID-19, or whom is a confirmed case of COVID-19
Information that I have found useful:
https://www.danceplace.com/grapevine/dance-in-the-time-of-corona/
Wash your hands often with soap for more than 20 seconds, and try not to touch your face.
---------------------
Good Health and Happiness to you!
-- Teacher Peggy
As of Friday, March 13
all ISI Santa Cruz group events cancelled
(likely into April) until COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
This restriction is painful!
for me, and all our community leaders, in many school, faith, business and MANY other groups
who are now cancelling all group events in just the last TWO days.
but its WISE due to our social responsibility to not spread this HIGHLY contagious virus,
according to Santa Cruz county health advisory along with Santa Cruz City Schools
and thus cause harm to other more vulnerable members of our society,
and impact on our health care system.
While probably 80% of people infected willl only have mild symptoms, it will have bigger danger to people who are older and more fragile health.
so we need to be careful and considerate in not passing it around.
ISI's purpose is to offer friendship and hospitality to all UCSC internationals through our group friendship activities...
EXCEPT in this case ...
where the main prevention to coronavirus is SOCIAL DISTANCING...
While frequent and thorough handwashing and avoiding touching your face may help somewhat,
probably the MAIN way the virus is spread is
from an infected person breathing out (or sneezing, coughing) virus-infected moisture,
as invisible micro-droplets into the air.
As do most Common Colds, the COVID-19 infection grows in our LUNGS and respiratory system.
When an infected person coughs, sneezes, even talks and breathes,
s/he is expelling some of the virus with the moisture in their breath,
then nearby people breathe it IN to their respiratory systems
(more than just by touching your face with germs on your hands)
It is invisible, highly contagious, and people can be contagious for up to 14 or more days with NO symptoms
therefore, the BEST thing we can do now is
keep the recommended 6-foot distance between MOST people
because we don't know who is already infected.
Many of us, myself included, have had contact in the past two weeks with many other people who could possibly have the virus, unknowingly.
And because our government has been slow to produce testing (unlike South Korea who is already testing 10,000 people /day, and Taiwan and Singapore who were ready to handle cases when first discovered)
But in USA most doctors don't yet have access to enough tests to even know if we have the virus
~~ Yikes!!! ~~
So its taken a few days for all of us, myself included, to emotionally Reverse Engines on my motivation,
from feeling compelled to offer our long-planned in-person programs,
to realizing that those same events might unwittingly infect the very friends we are trying to help
~~~ Double Yikes!!! ~~~
thanks to THIS Excellent article showing the trajectory of COVID-19 in Wuhan and other countries
(Italy and USA are two of the worst prepared ones)
and how just one or 2 days of earlier pubic enactment of Social Distancing can make a big difference.
So... WHAT DO WE DO?
The closer you are to an infected person, and the more viruses are expelled,
in a huge blasting sneeze, for example,
the bigger dose of virus you get.
A bigger dose is harder for your body's immune system to fight off,
so you would be sicker with worse symptoms and longer.
Thus the SOCIAL DISTANCE between people
and amount of time together
make a HUGE difference,
between getting a weak dose of virus, or massive dose.
between getting a little bit sick and quickly fighting it off,
or getting VERY sick for longer.
Your body's immune system then starts building antibodies to the virus, once it is exposed to it.
Then eventually you become immune.
But that takes a bit of time.
With time, our whole population will grow more resistant.
Thus, the sooner we slow down the spread and severity of this highly contagious COVID-19 virus,
the less impact it will have on our population,
and sooner we can get back to normal life.
So let's heed this wise warning, do our best ,
and look forward to seeing each other again soon
after we get through this crisis together-- by being separate!
-- Our best prayers, hopes and love to all
from Peggy Pollard, ISI staff, and all our ISI Santa Cruz Team
Published March 11, 2020
TWO sources of vindication this week affirming Dr. Bob's Common Cold Care (and likely Coronavirus) Advice!
Dr. Bob says:
1. Touching surfaces and your face is NOT the main way the Coronavirus is spread.
(despite popular media advice to the contrary)
<< Santa Cruz Good Time article today: "The coronavirus does seem to be able to live on surfaces, though it is unclear for how long and doesn’t seem to be the main way the virus spreads." >>
but rather it is spread mainly by breathing in air from a nearby virus=infected person (contaminated by their virus-infected micro-droplets of moisture expelled by coughing,sneezing and breathing. The amount of virus you are exposed to makes a big difference in how well you can fight it off, so the further away you are and the less virus germs you get the better.
2. The virus replicates faster (= your cold grows worse) in cooler temperatures, therefore take care of yourself with Warm & Steamy practices!
A March 6, 2020 National Geographic article on coronavirus research speaks to what latest research is showing: " relatively recent research suggests that dry, cold air may also help viruses stay intact in the air or travel farther as they become airborne.
One of the first studies to test how environmental conditions affect viral transmission was published in 2007, and it looked at how influenza spread through guinea pigs infected in a lab. High temperatures and in particular high humidity slowed the influenza spread, and at very high humidity levels, the virus stopped spreading completely.
Warmer air holds more moisture, which prevents airborne viruses from traveling as far as they would in dry air. In humid conditions, the small liquid droplets in a cough or sneeze gather more moisture as they’re expelled. Eventually too heavy to stay airborne, they drop to the ground." >>
Thus, doing the opposite of cool & dry inhibits the virus from spreading and multiplying, as was shown from research done wayyyy back during World War 2 in the UK Common Cold research institute. Plus it instantly feels good so try it and help your body fight off a host of common cold viruses.
Published March 9, 2020
As we all know the COVID-19 is now a serious world-wide concern progressing rapidly,
a totally new thing for everyone on this planet,
so no human yet knows all the answers about it,
with already both big physical and social/economic impact.
So I’m analyzing much international, national and local news,
from UCSC, from my work headquarters , from friends,
and discussing it all heavily with my husband, Dr. Bob,
a UCSF trained (graduated with honors) 35-year ER physician
who has treated more than 100,000 patients with cold viruses.
(summary of Dr. Bob’s advice below)
Best way to decide whether to hold/attend our wonderful dance classes is a
~~~ Benefit/Risk Analysis ~~~
So as your teacher, here’s my careful advice:
The BIG benefits to social/partner dancing:
It helps you stay healthy and strong to fight off many diseases!
Partner & social dancing is a safe low-impact exercise that strengthens your all-body physical health
including your immune system
to fight off many diseases
(including COVID-19 when it comes)
plus emotional and mental health with social and physical connection,
exercising your brain to learn new moves,
and inspiring and delighting your spirit with enjoyable music
It makes us feel very happy,
which is VERY good for us.
Our RISKS:
As of today, Santa Cruz Sentinel reports two known cases (who caught it elsewhere
but no community spread of it so far…
so our infection risk here, is at the moment very low
for people who have not traveled to a hot spot, or who visited with people who have
That will change soon,
as news media will inform us.
Our TWO big risks are
1. getting infected
2. unwittingly infecting other people
it has a 2-week incubation period without symptoms!
If YOU wear a surgical mask, we are told the purpose is more to prevent YOU from spreading the virus,
Since it doesn’t filter out virus germs you breathe IN,
because they are too tiny.
Thus, for now, I advise that YES, holding/attending the class (for HEALTHY dancers)
is currently still OK, since there is not a public health directive to cancel such activities in Santa Cruz area yet
But certainly anyone NOT HEALTHY, or who is worried about it, should stay home.
(dancing is no fun if you are worried about it the whole time.)
So for those who are VERY confident you are healthy and NOT been exposed,
let’s dance while we can, and keep our ears in the news.
ADVICE from the wise Dr. Bob*
In addition to CDC’s normal advice of washing hands and area frequently,
getting lots of sleep, eating healthy,
Dr. Bob also recommends this lesser-known advice
for fighting off any common cold virus,
because they tend to grow faster in COLD temperatures,
which likely applies to COVID-19
since, although it is is a new version,
it is still one of the categories of Common Cold viruses:
Corona virus
(named "corona" because its shape resembles a crown.)
Keep your upper respiratory system Warm & Steamy!
by…
- keeping your room air warmer, closer to 80F especially at night,
- Sipping hot (not scalding) beverages frequently
- If air is cool outside, cover face with a scarf or mask,
- Take two hot steamy showers/day
- breathe warm steamy air from a hot, wet washcloth several times/day
- use a warm air humidifier in your bedroom at night
-- Teacher Peggy
*my husband, Dr. Bob Pollard-- a 40-year Emergency Room physician
(graduated with honors from renowned UCSF Medical School)
who has treated 100,000 patients with cold viruses in his career and has some excellent wisdom on Common Cold virus behavior in general from his clinical practice.
published Sunday, March 8, 2020
from Traditional Dancers of Santa Cruz, Contradance Community :
We are keeping an eye on the situation in Santa Cruz and do not think that cancellation of [yesterday's] dance is warranted. In these difficult times, maintaining the fabric of our community is more important than ever.
Local information on COVID19:
(One known case in Santa Cruz, not from community spread).
We do ask that you do not attend if any of the following applies to you:
- You have any flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
- You returned from travel in the last 3 weeks.
- You live in an area with sustained local transmission.
- You have had close physical contact with a person currently under investigation for COVID-19, or whom is a confirmed case of COVID-19
Information that I have found useful:
https://www.danceplace.com/grapevine/dance-in-the-time-of-corona/
Wash your hands often with soap for more than 20 seconds, and try not to touch your face.
---------------------
Good Health and Happiness to you!
-- Teacher Peggy