62 – #covid19 (Coronavirus): here’s my research to date (at 25 March 2020)

BY STAN KONTOS

Here is my research to date for us to gain a better understanding around Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and how to be a part of a great Australia staying on top of the spread, so we can slow down the impact on our hospital system.

  1. Our government is doing a great job; they got off the mark quickly and are using a staged approach from best practice seen in other countries. Note: Singapore is by far the best. 
  2. The far majority of cases to date have been linked to overseas travel, hence why our Prime Minister closed the borders to international travel. 
  3. 80 per cent of people who happen to get it will experience simple cold flu-like symptoms. Note: this is not influenza, however, has similar symptoms.15 per cent will need to see a doctor. However, 5 per cent may need high level medical care (hospital) and most of these will be the vulnerable people of our society.
  4. The vulnerable are: elderly and people with pre-existing illnesses (e.g. heart issues, diabetes, immune issues such as cancer). 
  5. The strategy used by our government is to “flatten the curve”. What this means is keep the spread low so our hospitals can cope with any potential influx of the 5 per cent who need urgent attention especially over the winter period coming up. 
  6. The overall worldwide death rate of 4 per cent shows it is something we need to be diligent in its management – most deaths are skewed to the elderly and to those with pre-existing illnesses. The good news is, I see trends in other countries (e.g. South Korea) of current death rates being under 1 per cent (it is still a bit early to be conclusive here, but it certainly is looking good) and Singapore is also below 1 per cent and are managing it well (I think they are the best in the world). If we want to be a high performing country, we need to model excellence, just like being the best at anything – model success. 
  7. The key includes cleanliness – wash your hands regularly with soap and water is key; no need to worry if you cannot find hand sanitizers guys. Just keep clean and avoid touching your face and have common sense in following the government policies around self-isolation. 
  8. Heaps of background work is happening with vaccines and drugs – not sure when a breakthrough will occur. 
  9. Countries that have high levels of testing and management programs, for example, tracking systems being used in Singapore and South Korea are working well. 

What can we as a country and state do better? 

  1. More readily available testing. For example, South Korea is doing something like 8,000 tests per day.  
  2. Have better tracking systems (use of technology would be helpful).  
  3. Faster testing – taking up to 48 hours here this past week to get results is way too long. Singapore gets results in 4 hours! That’s why they are the best.   
  4. Have a back-up plan of hospital beds. We are getting there here in South Australia with creating another 188 beds via the old Wakefield Hospital and a site located on North East Road. 

What can we each as individuals do to make things better?

  1. Calm people down and encourage others that our government is best in class with the right strategies in place.  
  2. Stop the fear overreaction – toilet paper and food will not run out.  
  3. Stop comparing ourselves to countries that were too slow off the mark and are now struggling –the media is irresponsible here.  
  4. Avoid anxiety in yourself or in your fellow man as this may bring a future spike in mental health issues from hyper sensitisation (stress).  
  5. Be kind to people, encourage them, educate them and help them as your fellow human beings. Be happy and positive. It is a virus and we all need to do our part to keep the numbers down so we can keep the death rate down, it is all about management until a vaccine or drug is discovered. 
  6. Don’t fall for incorrect articles in the media. At the same time, please follow government policies as they are there to help us all. Stick to the facts. Death rates are very low at the moment but we need to get total infection numbers stabilising.  
  7. Think about our economy. Panic and fear just makes things worse – support small businesses where possible. 
  8. Live daily as our Prime Minister has told us recently. If the government wants us to change anything because the numbers are going the wrong way they will tell us – they are watching the numbers for us in advance with the medical professionals and making decisions. Just follow the strategy and we will continue to be a high performing country. If the numbers show we need to get tighter with strategy they will let us know.  
  9. Live and enjoy each day and stay away from worry or stress. Be diligent. 
  10. Let’s all project positivity for the future for a significant breakthrough – a vaccine or drug that will put this to bed (just like we did with the flu and other issues in the past, e.g. smallpox). 

I hope this information is valuable to you.  

Live with passion, stay on your life purpose, and always be at peace.

Stan Kontos 

As South Australia’s foremost authority on “Peak Life Performance” and “Leadership Psychology”, Stan has a passion for the development of Human Potential through the use of Rapid Change Technologies.   Stan is a prolific reader of books and material on self empowerment and has attended numerous programs around the world on personal development, management, marketing, public speaking, and wealth creation. He is a worldwide accredited NLP Trainer (Neurolinguistic Programming).

His areas of passion include:

  • Coaching: Business, Executive and Personal
  • Mentoring: Leaders, Managers and Management teams
  • Therapy for rapid improvements in stress and personal blocks
  • Leadership Development
  • Life Enhancing Seminar Programs teaching Success Strategies and Personal Empowerment

Stan is an entrepreneur with business interests in various states across Australia.

Stan focuses on continuous and never ending improvement of himself and his teams of partners and associates as well as selfless contribution to others. He is an inspiring and motivating speaker, author, coach, and entrepreneur. He desires to expand people’s lives and to expand his charitable quests.

Best wishes to you as you live a life of passion, purpose and peace as an open minded progressive human being.

Stan is considered to be one’s “ultimate” life and business coach.