COVID-19 Chiropractic Updates: Emergency bill to U.S. House; WHO dashboard

In its third attempt the U.S. Senate on late Wednesday night passed a $2 trillion economic relief package, which combined with additional government intervention will total approximately $6 trillion according to White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow.

Looking for approval by the House on Friday, for doctors of chiropractic the relief package contains:

$117 billion for hospitals and veterans’ health care;
$349 billion in loans to small businesses, with spending on payroll, utilities, and rent that doesn’t have to be repaid;
$500 billion in loans, loan guarantees, or investments available for companies, municipalities, and states.

The bill also creates a “Paycheck Protection program” providing eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100% federally-guaranteed loans to small business employers who maintain payrolls, providing funds so that small businesses have support to keep employees and resume business.

Rural health is a priority of the bill, which also expands telehealth services.

If the bill is approved by the U.S. House on Friday, Chiropractic Economics will release a detailed explanation of benefits to doctors of chiropractic along with next steps in the process.

WHO coronavirus updates

The World Health Organization (WHO) also released an update on Thursday regarding the latest information on virus spread, updated incubation period data, and a COVID-19 Situation Dashboard.

The latest information from the WHO via the World Federation of Chiropractors includes:

How does COVID-19 spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales if one breathes in these droplets. Another way is when these droplets land on objects and surfaces and one touches these surfaces, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, they can catch COVID-19. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spreading and will continue to share updates. Shaking hands may transmit the virus and should be avoided.

How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?
The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. These estimates will be updated by WHO as more data become available.

Spread of COVID-19
As of March 25, 2020, there have been 416,686 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 197 countries, areas or territories. There have been over 18,500 deaths. China (81,869), Italy (69,176), USA (51,914) and Spain (39,673) account for 58% of all reported cases.

The WHO is publishing current figures via its COVID-19 Situation Dashboard.

“There has been a rapid escalation in national and regional ‘lockdown’ measures, with enforced restrictions on social distancing, closure of schools, colleges and universities and widespread cancellations of social and sports gatherings. Despite these measures, WHO is concerned that there has not been enough testing, contact tracing and isolation, which are the key elements of the response.”

COVID-19 myth-busters:

COVID-19 can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, not just those with hot and humid climates.
Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the COVID-19 virus.
Taking a hot bath does not kill the COVID-19 virus.
COVID-19 CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.
Hand dryers are not effective in killing the COVID-19 virus.
Ultraviolet lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin.
Thermal scanners cannot detect people with COVID-19 unless they are displaying signs of fever.
Spraying alcohol or chlorine will not kill the COVID-19 virus once it has entered your body.
Pneumonia vaccines do not protect against the COVID-19 virus.
Rinsing your nose with saline does not protect against infection with COVID-19.
Eating garlic does not protect against infection with COVID-19.
COVID-19 does not just affect older people: young people are also susceptible.
Antibiotics are not effective in treating or preventing COVID-19.