Bay Area

Dr. Michael Lenoir: ‘Social Distancing’ is Vital to Slowing the Spread of the Coronavirus

Published

4 years ago

April 2, 2020

The ravaging and rapid surge of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has altered the lives of nearly everyone globally. From mandated sheltering-in-place orders to the thorough, daily washing of hands, the virus can only be slowed down by people following guidelines that have been set in place.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The Alameda County Public Health Dept. offers detailed information on what individuals need to do to remain healthy and safe during this ominous and deadly outbreak. Just recently the current administration and state officials have extended social distancing orders through May 1, 2020.

Dr. Michael Lenoir, an allergist-immunologist with the Lifelong Health Center, treats people who have immune system disorders as well as respiratory allergies. He is offering additional advice to ensure people are doing what is necessary to slow the virus’s spread.

“This is not the first virus that we’ve had, although this is a serious and deadly one,” said Lenoir. “The way to address this virus is through vaccines and treatment. Now that all of America’s scientists are working on a vaccine, it should take less than a year to get one. Until there’s a vaccine, followed by treatment, this problem will remain unsolved.”

Lenoir noted that the allergy season is fast approaching and people may confuse those symptoms with the virus. “Allergies usually affect the upper airway nose, and eyes,” said Lenoir. “People with asthma and allergies do have wheezing, but it is usually familiar and goes away with bronchodilators. Corona and other viral infections also affect the upper airway but mostly sore throat and lung symptoms that do not respond to bronchodilators.

“The most important difference is the viral infections are usually associated with fever while allergies are not. Pay attention to your temperature: It’s very unlikely that allergies would result in a fever. Allergy symptoms are regularly occurring, and usually mild. If you’ve had the same symptoms around the same time, year after year, you’re probably experiencing seasonal allergies. In that case, over-the-counter medication and other regular health precautions will help you feel better.”

Regarding social distancing, Lenoir said it is one of the core things that people need to do to help eradicate the virus. “When COVID-19 was first reported and people were told to shelter-in-place, many people continued to go to the beach, have block parties and do irresponsible things that helped the virus spread,” said Lenoir “Now that people see all these individuals are dying worldwide, they’ve begun to take the situation seriously.

“Once people start listening to the news and reading the statistics, the public is realizing that this pandemic can be stopped by social distancing. The initial problem has been that we’re living in an “unnatural state,” meaning having to stay inside all the time has made people uncomfortable. However, there’s no excuse for people to engage in high-risk behavior.

Social distancing may not apply to family members who are constantly around each other. But if one family member gets the disease, then everyone else in the family may be affected. Additionally, if you’re away from the home for various lengths of time, you should consider quarantining yourself, in one room, away from the other family for at least 14 days.

Clifford L. Williams

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

State Controller Malia Cohen Keynote Speaker at S.F. Wealth Conference

California State Controller Malia Cohen delivered the keynote speech to over 50 business women at the Black Wealth Brunch held on March 28 at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center at 301 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco. The Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) hosted the Green Room event to launch its platform designed to close the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

American Business Women’s Association Vice President Velma Landers, left, with California State Controller Malia Cohen (center), and ABWA President LaRonda Smith at the Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the ABWA at the Black Wealth Brunch.

By Carla Thomas

The Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) hosted the Green Room event to launch its platform designed to close the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities.

“Our goal is to educate Black and Brown families in the masses about financial wellness, wealth building, and how to protect and preserve wealth,” said ABWA San Francisco Chapter President LaRonda Smith.

ABWA’s mission is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.

“This day is about recognizing influential women, hearing from an accomplished woman as our keynote speaker and allowing women to come together as powerful people,” said ABWA SF Chapter Vice President Velma Landers.

More than 60 attendees dined on the culinary delights of Chef Sharon Lee of The Spot catering, which included a full soul food brunch of skewered shrimp, chicken, blackened salmon, and mac and cheese.

Cohen discussed the many economic disparities women and people of color face. From pay equity to financial literacy, Cohen shared not only statistics, but was excited about a new solution in motion which entailed partnering with Californians for Financial Education.

“I want everyone to reach their full potential,” she said. “Just a few weeks ago in Sacramento, I partnered with an organization, Californians for Financial Education.

“We gathered 990 signatures and submitted it to the [California] Secretary of State to get an initiative on the ballot that guarantees personal finance courses for every public school kid in the state of California.

“Every California student deserves an equal opportunity to learn about filing taxes, interest rates, budgets, and understanding the impact of credit scores. The way we begin to do that is to teach it,” Cohen said.

By equipping students with information, Cohen hopes to close the financial wealth gap, and give everyone an opportunity to reach their full financial potential. “They have to first be equipped with the information and education is the key. Then all we need are opportunities to step into spaces and places of power.”

Cohen went on to share that in her own upbringing, she was not guided on financial principles that could jump start her finances. “Communities of color don’t have the same information and I don’t know about you, but I did not grow up listening to my parents discussing their assets, their investments, and diversifying their portfolio. This is the kind of nomenclature and language we are trying to introduce to our future generations so we can pivot from a life of poverty so we can pivot away and never return to poverty.”

Cohen urged audience members to pass the initiative on the November 2024 ballot.

“When we come together as women, uplift women, and support women, we all win. By networking and learning together, we can continue to build generational wealth,” said Landers. “Passing a powerful initiative will ensure the next generation of California students will be empowered to make more informed financial decisions, decisions that will last them a lifetime.”