What to do if you have COVID-19-like symptoms

As we approach our fifth month dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19, it is apparent that this pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon. While multiple countries including the US are working on a vaccine, Dr. Curtis Cripe believes that people shouldn’t rely on it and should learn how to care for patients with COVID-19 instead. And it all begins with knowing what to do if you have COVID-19-like symptoms.

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The first symptoms of COVID-19 are a high fever, dry cough, and a general feeling of tiredness. If you first exhibit these symptoms, you should self-isolate yourself for a minimum of 14 days before coming into contact with other people or go out of your house. Other less common symptoms include body pains and aches, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell, conjunctivitis, and skin rashes or discoloration in the fingers and toes.

During your self-isolation, you could ask family members to look after you. If this is the case, you should have your own isolated quarters such as your bedroom. Whenever interacting with a caregiver, both parties should be wearing face masks in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Have your clothes and eating apparatuses cleaned and disinfected after every use.

As you self-isolate, you should be mindful of your symptoms and inform your caregiver of any new symptoms that arise. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, if you experience trouble breathing, inability to stay awake, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, and bluish face or lips, ask that you be taken to the nearest medical facility immediately.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a diverse multidisciplinary background that includes software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. Dr. Curtis Cripe was asked to participate in a White House - NASA committee for TeleHealth/TeleMedicine during the COVID-19. His committee has been asked to spear head long term and on-going TeleHealth and TeleMedicine protocols and procedures that can be followed during the current and future Pandemics as well as TeleMedicine and TeleHealth even after the COVID-19 diminishes. The committee proposals have been accepted and is now moving forward Internationally with UN participation. Visit this website for more reads on COVID-19.

Caring for people with ASD during the coronavirus

If the changes brought on by COVID-19 is especially difficult for "normal" people, what more to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder? People with ASD can lead normal lives as long as there's routine, according to Dr. Curtis Cripe. With many of businesses and institutions caught in a standstill due to the pandemic, these routines that give these persons a degree of functioning have been compromised. Here's advice on how to help people with ASD during this time.

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In response to these times, you will need an emergency plan in case the primary caregiver or the person with ASD gets sick. A plan involves a list of contacts and resources. Make sure you attach pictures to this list aside from their numbers and color coding to appeal to someone with ASD.

After making sure you have an emergency plan, you will need to establish a new routine. The routine should share commonalities with their own normal routine while incorporating different sensory and behavioral activities. You should also establish cues about activity times so they can easily pivot and adjust. Your interventions should also involve the physical environment, like putting labels on things and making a space for certain types of activities, adds Dr. Curtis Cripe.

Of course, you should also seek resources and your community online as you push on with your developmental goals with your loved one who has ASD.

Dr. Curtis Cripeis currently working in a White House-NASA committee during the pandemic. His committee has been asked to spearhead long-term and on-going TeleHealth and TeleMedicine protocols and procedures that can be followed during the current and future Pandemics as well as TeleMedicine and TeleHealth even after the COVID-19 diminishes. Dr. Curtis Cripe is a brain development expert and a former engineer at NASA.