APRIL 2020.VOL. 20, NO. 04. PORTLAND, MAINE.
PORTLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. FREE!
Dr. Oren on Wellness During Crisis The following is taken from an interview of Oren Gersten, M.D. of Portland Direct Primary Care done by West End News (WEN) contributor Cameron Autry for his podcast, The Southern Maine Report. Dr. Oren also writes a monthly column for the WEN.The full audio version of this interview can be found at: www.thesouthernmainereport.com/podcast/28orengerstenmd.* By Cameron Autry
What precautions are you tak- of several hundred people in a matter of minutes. We just What are the main concerns ing personally? don’t have a place like that in people should have in terms of For me personally, I’ve been following Maine. So it’s different. I think catching Covid-19? the CDC guidelines and the state public our risk is lower, but that
health guidelines. So, I wash my hands every time I come home. Whether I’m out shopping or walking the dog, I wash my hands when I get in the house, wash my hands after I use the bathroom, and I wash my hands before I eat. I think those are the times when you’re at highest risk of contaminating yourself. And then the social distancing part is just the new normal for everybody. But I try to get outside at least once a day. I think it’s really importI think it’s really important to vet your ant to get fresh air and exercise, since our resources, especially in a situation where normal routines are super disrupted. there’s a lot of emerging evidence all the time. So just go to the CDC website and Maine is a very rural state with look at what they’re recommending. It’s lots of wide-open spaces. Does common sense stuff like washing your this put us in a place where hands and not going to crowded places. Maine might not get hit as [A summary of guidelines from the CDC for those who are sick can be found on Page 5.] hard with the virus as more urI would refer people to the Centers for Disease Control’s website. They have really good resources there. And I would highly advise people to use that website as opposed to Googling it.When you Google something, you never know what you’re going to get.You’re going to have information from doctors right along with information from bloggers, and folks are just expressing feelings on the Internet.
doesn’t mean our risk is zero.
How does the immune system Getting some exercise is really important, too. You can do free yoga classes fight viruses? The general overview of the immune system is that we are surrounded by microorganisms living on you and me right now. In fact, some of these are helpful. Our intestines have tons of healthy gut bacteria that help us digest things. They make important vitamins that we need to sustain life. But there are pathological microorganisms that make us sick. And so, the immune system’s job is to identify those pathologic organisms and get rid of them.
ban areas like New York City?
-By Sergj / Adobe Stock
on YouTube.You can do body weight resistance even without weights at home – like push-ups, sit-ups, and planks. That’s more than enough to keep people in shape.
And then the social part of things is really important. There was a huge loneliness epidemic – especially around our elderly populations – and we know there has been research previously to show that loneliness can be a risk factor for illness and death. So, I think keeping up social connections, even if it’s just through phone calls or video visits or talking to your neighbor across the driveway from a safe distance. I don’t think we need to be scared of each other. If you’re keeping a safe distance from folks, socializing is perfectly acceptable.
Well, if you look at the nature of this disease, it’s a respiratory disease. And you have to come in contact with another person to be able to spread it. Even though Maine is super rural, we all have friends and neighbors. I don’t think there’s any town where you’re completely disconnected from friends and neighbors. So as long as you have contact with somebody else, it’s possible that Covid-19 can be spread.
What are some tips for staying healthy – both physically and mentally – during social distancing?
But I do think we’re better off than some of these super densely populated cities – because the number of interactions is so much higher there, and the potential to spread is so much higher. If you ride the subway in New York, you’re potentially going to be within an arm’s reach
My worry is that people have stockpiled things that are not that healthy to eat, like highly processed foods, prepared foods, ramen noodles, and things like that. Those are not great things to eat on a daily basis. Stick to fruits and vegetables and foods without a lot of sugar.
This interview is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine or other health care services including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to this interview is at the user’s own risk. The content on this interview is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals should not delay in obtaining medical advice from any medical condition they have, and they should seek the assistance of a health care professional for any such conditions.
Page 10… Why small business is hit harder than big chains
Page 13… Micro-practices for dealing with hard times
Page 14… Sudoku, Crossword & Best Worst Trivia
*Disclaimer -By Near / Adobe Stock
IN THIS ISSUE... Page 2… Creative Portland announces Artist Relief Fund Page 3… More from Dr. Oren Gersten on crisis and wellness Page 4… La Vida Local: How to avoid election day lines Page 5... CDC advice on what to do if you are sick Page 6… The Portland Palate wonders, 'To sushi or sashimi?' Page 7... Wine for all from Boomers to Gen Z-ers
