Less is more
Hi everyone
Strange times indeed. To start with the Trump situation, with all the disinformation it is difficult to know what is really going on but to keep it simple day 12 from infection – so around 11th to 13th October - is crunch time when either he will be better/getting better or he will be in serious trouble. Unless you love the drama, best to wait until then for the definitive news. It is also an extraordinary reflection of the US and its medical system in which doing nothing (masterly inactivity) is essentially not an option. The public, the medics and the system demand activity and this is reflected in the astonishing fact that one in four deaths in the USA takes place (very expensively and unsatisfactorily) in intensive cares. In the President’s situation, certainly the medics are busy. We know that one experimental drug – the antibody infusion - has already been given and another (dexamethasone) has been given much earlier than would be given here. We can be grateful for the NHS culture which is less driven by the need to do something and more based on evidence.
Changing tack somewhat there are now many more restrictions and much more guidance, much of it enforceable with fines. I heard of a woman who was told to self isolate by Track and Trace and was phoned up some days later. ‘Are you self isolating?’ ‘Yes’ she responded. ‘Are you at home?’ ‘Yes’ she responded. ‘Then could you let us in.’ Alas she was not there and was fined £1000 for not isolating, £2000 for obstructing the course of justice, £1000 in costs and given a criminal record. So beware. (but if you are contacted through the NHS app and asked to isolate this is not legally enforceable).
One of the consequences of the regulations is that people stop thinking about what is best for their community/family and simply follow the guidance – and assume if it is not prohibited it must be ok. Increasing regulation goes hand in glove (or gel) with loss of social and community responsibility. Hence my regular focus on the need for strong community and mutual support. An interesting study of 40000 people done just BEFORE the lockdown revealed that 43% of people feel we do not touch enough. Touch is associated with well being and better mental health. I imagine this figure has now gone up a great deal. And yet we seem to have reached a point where if the virus count drops we are told this supports lockdowns and if it is climbing we need lockdowns…..
From a health perspective, my sense now is that the balance for our own health is moving away from lockdowns and regulations. The physical and mental costs of the restrictions are immense and understated – through the lack of touch (especially for those in nursing homes), the delayed treatments for non-covid diseases, and in particular the upcoming adverse health impact of redundancies. So what to do – put simply avoid the three Cs – crowds, close contact, and closed spaces….and get on with your life.
I am a great believer in minimal intervention whether it be at a national level or for an individual patient. There are of course times when action needs to be taken in the face of overwhelming danger (such as the initial lockdown) but let the body/community heal itself. I fear neither our communities nor Mr. Trump is being given that opportunity – though in the latter case it may be that he is not giving it to himself. Sometimes less is more.
Finally to cheer you up take a look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg2NJ48jxYs
With love,