All right, Dr Lucas, let's begin with the question I've heard over and over again this weekend.

And it is.

How does Corona virus compared to influenza?

Because every year thousands of people die from influenza.

Is Corona virus that much more aggressive?

Well, good morning, Carolyn, and that's a great question.

And people like yourself have maybe seeing the graphic that compares the flu with the Corona virus and hear some facts that we know the flu infects an estimated 1,000,000,000 people worldwide and is in the tens of millions of North Americans.

Eat here.

Compare that with the Corona virus, which is now over 100,000 people.

And when we look at the number of deaths, there's estimates that this season alone there's been over 600,000 people that have died worldwide from the flu, and we are approaching 4000 from this Corona virus.

But the major concern remains that the Corona virus is evolving.

It's changing rapidly.

It's a new virus.

Our bodies have never seen it.

We don't have immunity to it, so we don't fully know what it's capable of.

That's why I think everyone is on full blown alert mode.

But we should never lose sight of how bad the flu is every year as well.

All right, So if I get the Corona virus, here's another question.

People keep asking, What are my chances that will fully recover?

So what we know so far is that 80% of people will have a mild asymptomatic course.

15% of people will have a severe infection requiring oxygen, and 5% of people will have a critical infection requiring I see you and a ventilator.

So I crunched the numbers late last night also, and based on the cases that have been reported if infected with the virus, the death rate right now is 3.5%.

What's clear is we probably don't have the right denominator, which means there are cases that are asymptomatic or have been very mild at These patients have been tested.

Let's put this into context when we talk about the flu.

The death rate from the flu is 0.1% so that's a stark contrast toe.

3.5% That's 35 times higher, but I will repeat.

We don't know all the cases.

I suspect the percentage will go down and with more testing, we're still learning.

And the situation remains very, very fluid.

Carolyn.

And as you said, this virus is mutating, so that is troublesome as well.

Okay, the federal government is sending a plane to bring a couple 100 Canadians home from a cruise ship docked in California.

Should we avoid traveling right now?

That's a loaded question.

Um, I think in short, you should always follow the CVC Travel advisory website, which is updated regularly, and it's the best place to look.

I myself have been traveling in North America within the last few weeks, and I've even had someone sit next to me on a plane with a surgical mask who was coughing, and I still felt comfortable flying but myself, I would not go on a cruise at this very moment.

Very importantly, just yesterday, the CDC went on record and announced emphatically, If you're a person with an underlying condition, particularly an elderly person with an underlying condition, you should distance yourself from the risk.

And that includes large crowds getting on a plane and above all, not to be on a cruise ship.

Okay, if I'm exhibiting flu like symptoms, can I ask to be tested for Cove it?

Yes.

If you're sick, absolutely, you could be tested.

And all physicians in Canada have been receiving these emails from provincial authorities detailing what to do in case there's a concern that a patient is infected.

There are public health offices in all local municipalities and regions that have been designated for patients to come and be tested accordingly.

The key feature here that I want everyone to remember is that if you have those common symptoms the cough, the fever, the shortness of breath and you've been in contact with someone who's been in an endemic area where there's explosion of cases, call your family doctor or call the emergency department first before showing up.

We don't want people.

Just expose others unknowingly, and we want to prevent this transmission full stop.

So be alert.

Call in advance.

Don't just show up.

So even if I don't have a connection to someone who has been in direct contact, I can still ask for such a test.

I think this is a discussion to have with your healthcare practitioner?

Yes, it is spreading in the community so potentially you didn't even know you had contact with someone from one of these areas.

But I would discuss this with my family doctor or the emergency doctor in advance.

We don't want just anyone going to the emergency room with a scratchy throat saying Test me for Kobe 19 or this Corona virus.

So it's a conversation to have with the doctor before the testing fully get sent out.

Okay.

As you know, hand sanitizer and masks are hard to find these days.

How effective, Really, are they keeping you safe?

So, Carolyn, maybe you've been seeing this.

But all across North America, everyone is buying out not only toilet paper, but also all the hand sanitizer.

You can't even get it on Amazon unless you're willing to pay hundreds of dollars.

So in short, yes, hand sanitizer is effective.

If and here's the key, there's at least 60% alcohol content in the hand sanitizer.

So buying any old hand sanitizer, especially if it's alcohol free, is not going to get the job done.

Furthermore, soap water remain your best friend.

I can't tell you honestly, how encouraging it's been these last few weeks in airports, restaurants, bars, I see all men washing their hands for the full 20 seconds.

I'm sure this is probably happening in the female bathroom, Carolyn, but it's been a revelation and a big positive, at least from the awareness that has been spread about the transmission.

Okay, finally, if I'm a snowbird, should I come home?

Uh, it's a great question, and at the moment I think I'll go what I said earlier.

If you have co morbidity, ease.

If you have a medical condition, do not travel at this moment.

Stay put up.

But this is evolving.

We'll see what happens on a day to day.

The risk Israel and everyone needs to be tuned in regularly for updates, and we'll see how this progresses.

But for right now, if you have an illness or if you have a medical condition, I would not come home.

I would stay put in Florida at the moment.

All right, Dr Lucas, Great information, as always.

Thank you so much.