Q: How do you evaluate the first-level response to public health emergencies across the country? Combined with the experience of fighting SARS, what is the lesson you need to learn from now?
Zhong Nanshan: I still say the same thing. Public health incidents, including past plagues and flu, as well as Ebola, are not paying attention to the problem of mutual transmission. A first-level response is now initiated to reduce the chance of mutual infection. Therefore, many people now wear masks at home and abroad to minimize the chance of infection. These are very effective measures.
Ordinary surgical masks, it cannot stop the entry of coronavirus because its particles are very small. But wearing a mask is useful, because a mask prevents the transmission of droplets, and this coronavirus is mainly attached to the droplets, and it does not fly around by itself. These measures are appropriate.
Q: What can the masses do now?
Zhong Nanshan: First of all, the masses should not attend the rally, wear masks when they go out, pay attention to the hygiene of hand washing, and prevent themselves and others. Of course, it is not completely clear whether the current route of infection is purely respiratory infection. There are also studies that say that coronaviruses can be transmitted through the conjunctiva of the eye, but it is hard to say now. Now we can see from the limited materials that there is no urine in the urine and no obvious findings in the stool, but it is difficult to say. So now for the people themselves, the most important thing is not to run around, especially in the Wuhan area. It must be strictly enforced. This is not only a personal matter, but also a social matter.
Q: You have repeatedly emphasized “early detection, early isolation, and reduced transmission as much as possible.” People who have fever symptoms in various places also want to know which symptoms must go to the hospital for examination, and which conditions can be isolated at home?
Zhong Nanshan: I don’t think it can be divided so strictly. First of all, you must see the symptoms of fever, see a fever clinic, don’t be lucky, don’t wait at home, and if you really get a new type of coronavirus infection, 20% may become severe. In this case, the opportunity for treatment is too late.
Research progresses smoothly
Q: You are also the leader of the scientific research team for the epidemic. What is the current progress?
Zhong Nanshan: It went well. For most doctors in most hospitals, the priority is to treat patients and minimize deaths, which is the first. Research is a branchSupport, so we have to do a lot of scientific research work, but can not be like the strict random control in the past, is to observe some new treatments in the medical process.
We are also considering the role of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine must be involved at the beginning. Don’t look at it until it finally fails. This is the case in Guangdong, and in many places.
What are the principles of scientific research? How to use some of the more effective methods available, effective and safe drugs for new diseases.
Q: When does the public care about getting a new coronavirus vaccine?
Zhong Nanshan: Vaccination is a relatively long problem. I’ve asked some experts, and it’s full of support from all quarters, it takes three to four months, but it may not be enough, and now scientific and technological personnel are studying its neutralizing antibodies. Research is currently speeding up, and it is just to see if we can find some faster ways. These are the processes of scientific research. The vaccine will take time.
Q: According to the latest data today, there are 60 cured and discharged patients nationwide. What does this mean?
Zhong Nanshan: The number of discharged patients will soon increase. Many discharged patients are mild, have pneumonia, but have no hypoxemia. We are now very concerned about critically ill patients, especially these patients are often combined with some basic and chronic diseases, the mortality rate is relatively high, the average age is about 50 to 60 years old, because there is no very accurate statistics. Pay attention to some particularly susceptible people, and pay special attention to their care and treatment.