Hello my name is Dr. Soy Ramsumeer, and I’d like to bring awareness to everyone about Type 2 Diabetes since this illness holds much passion for me caring for my deceased mother for almost three years, when she was given 1 week to 3 months to live.

With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, and as a provider with experiences working as a frontline staff dealing with infectious diseases in both Canada and in the USA, this is a fitting time for me to share how important it is to carryout aseptic technique to protect yourself, family members, colleagues, your patients, and the public in general. A recent study done by Fadini, GP, et al. (2020), suggests that Diabetes is one of the chief comorbidities that could exacerbate the outcomes in individuals affected with COVID-19.

While working as a frontline staff (Registered Nurse) in Toronto, Canada in 2003 during the first SARS outbreak, I was exposed to a patient who was diagnosed with this illness after my shift ended that day. The hospital contacted me later that evening stating that the patient I took care of earlier in the day was diagnosed with SARS, and I was immediately placed on work-to-home quarantine for 10 days. I was told to wear a mask and to take all precautions to prevent its spread in the event that I contracted the virus, and to come in to work the next morning wearing a mask, and not to use any public transit.

Just like some of my colleagues now, I started to tape record my Will on the 3^rd night of the SARS quarantine in 2003; thus, I can empathize with the frontline medical, and nursing professionals during this COVID-19 pandemic. This virus is much more vicious as it harms everyone especially those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, and it affects all ages, nationalities, and races but seems to prey on those who have other commodities such as hypertension and so on. Thus, COVID-19 is worse than what I faced with SARS in 2003 as you do not know who has it (carriers) until confirmed testing or when the person is already sick. With SARS (2003) it was only transmittable when the infected individual was displaying symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath and so on; the infectious disease specialist at the hospital told us that it lived on the surface for 10 days. It is terrifying when you cannot breathe.

In addition to SARS, I also have experience working during the H1N1 outbreak in the Artic, and the flu epidemic along with a few other communicable diseases in both Canada and the USA. Being exposed to many infectious diseases has made me become aware of how important it is to practice strict hand-hygiene, and other aseptic techniques especially when it comes to sanitizing the environment both in my home and at work.

Having gone through SARS in Toronto, Canada in 2003, I can understand what my colleagues are going through with COVID-19, and this is why I am sharing what I did, and what I’m doing now to prevent contracting this deadly virus that’s been claiming lives all over the world. 

Keep visiting our website for additional blogs and services to help manage your Type 2 Diabetes and prevent its numerous complications especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, and its uncertainties with respect to its spread that is causing damages to several body organs and systems while depleting our human and financial resources to care for patients as the ERs and ICUs are inundated with sick individuals. Remember to practice good personal hygiene, keep your surroundings clean, stay hydrated, consume smaller portions of healthy nutrition throughout the day using your own ethnic foods, reduce/eliminate fats, and incorporate complex rather than simple carbohydrates in your meals.

Reference

Fadini GP, et al (2020). Diabetes may worsen outcomes in COVID-19. Retrieved from: Fadini GP, et al. J Endocrinol Investig. 2020; doi:10.1007/s40618-020-01236-2.