Prof. Dr. Şule Akçay Shares Forecasts for the Next Two Weeks of the Covid-19 Pandemic

"Conversion of coronavirus information into behavior is critical"

The Respiratory Society TÜSAD, continuing its fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak with its members across Turkey, is also continuing to remind the public of the individual responsibilities we all bear. TÜSAD Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Şule Akçay emphasizes the importance of social isolation in slowing disease transmission, stating that "The current situation makes it necessary for information acquired to translate into behavior." Turkey Respiratory Research Society (TÜSAD) Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Şule Akçay shared important information on the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak while calling for health workers' efforts to be supported by assuming individual responsibility. Underlining that all countries worldwide are attempting to manage this outbreak of serious proportions, Akçay said, "Our aim as TÜSAD is to convey correct information to our members, all health workers, and the public, and to communicate that precautions should be taken seriously." Noting that the Covid-19 outbreak now dominating our lives is the sole agenda item among both health workers and the public, Akçay drew attention to the following points: "The incubation period is estimated to be 2-14 days.

If we consider that an infected person transmits this virus to an average of 2-3 people, the coming two weeks will be critical in increasing the number of cases in our country, and in this sense the importance of social isolation can be understood.

All health workers monitoring Covid-19 patients, uninfected patients coming for examination, all individuals not observing isolation in daily life—unfortunately all are at risk. In the last two hours before the curfew began last weekend, when the public rushed into the streets in panic seeking supplies, the efforts of so many health workers battling this outbreak for weeks were rendered futile. It will only be possible to prevent this outbreak if every member of society acts responsibly and consciously. For this reason, we must internalize that we are living in extraordinary times and distance ourselves from our usual routines." Emphasizing that paying attention to symptoms is an important duty at this point, Akçay continued: "Eighty percent of individuals who contract the disease develop fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Individuals showing these symptoms must rapidly consult the nearest health facility. More rarely it can begin with nasal discharge, sore throat, chest pain, and diarrhea. Today all health workers are working, striving to diagnose all cases meeting the definition of 'suspected case.'

Quarantine rules are applied to all close contacts of Covid-19 positive cases even without symptoms or findings. The current situation makes it necessary for information acquired to translate into behavior."

Calling for "Let us continue the struggle, unite our strength, and stop this outbreak so that we all reach the days when we are free of the pandemic as quickly as possible," Akçay again warned all citizens by emphasizing the following key points as TÜSAD:

• Most important for all of us is to stay as far as possible from infection.
• Health workers must manage suspected and confirmed Covid-19 cases with personal protective equipment.
• Our children and young people should account for the possibility of asymptomatic disease and must not gather in crowded places to prevent spreading the disease to society. They should conduct their essential communications online for a period.
• Hands should be washed more frequently than usual with water and soap, and until hand-washing is possible, hands should be cleaned with cologne or hand sanitizer carried with them.
• Sick people or those appearing sick should be avoided.
• Sick people should isolate rooms at home, ventilate rooms frequently, wear surgical masks while moving about the house. If symptoms do not worsen, they should complete 14 days of rest at home; if symptoms worsen, they should consult the nearest health facility immediately.
• Masks should be worn when entry to communal living spaces is necessary.
• Eat well, sleep well.
• For smokers, now is the time to quit, now is the time to understand the importance of protecting our lungs, and this opportunity should be used well.
• Most importantly, our chronic patients must not stop taking medications recommended by their doctors and should contact their doctors at the slightest hesitation.
• Against information pollution, only experts on the subject should speak, and false, confusing information should be avoided. Baseless information such as "do not take your chronic disease medications" should not be heeded.
• As TÜSAD, we are issuing warnings regarding the Covid-19 outbreak and providing information on chronic diseases with all our working groups. As has been the case to date, we will continue to inform the public going forward.