Ivermectin – NO; Remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies – YES
COVID-19 has been with us for nearly two years and yet too many of us still believe things about it that are far off-line. The tragedy in this case is that what we don’t know can kill us. The source from which we get our information can spell the difference between life and death.
Last week, news stories from Mississippi reflected both sides of the problem with accepting treatments for COVID-19. In one story, it was reported that the state’s poison center had received numerous emergency calls because people had used Ivermectin to either protect them from or treat them for affections from COVID-19. The calls sent state health officials scrambling to get the word out that Ivermectin is a product most noted for the treatment of livestock, horses and cows. They were trying to get the word out that the product is dangerous and can be fatal if taken by humans.
If it was not for the fact that the story was so tragic, Mississippi could therefrom become the laughing-stock of the nation. Based upon other such stories and negative statistics, too many people are all too willing to glory at Mississippi’s plight. This one was so tragic that even Rachel Maddow read the story with a straight-face, “Mississippians following bad advice about the treatment for COVID.”
The other story was that the University of Mississippi Medical Center had set-up a field hospital in one of its parking garages in order to facilitate the treatment of coronavirus patients. In particular, it was reported that patients who had symptoms, but were not yet seriously ill, were being treated with monoclonal antibodies and Remdesivir. These are the same drugs with which Donald Trump was treated when he was reported to have contracted COVID-19.
It has been widely reported that Remdesivir has been quite successful in treating patients in the early stages of the illness. At the same time, it has also been reported that often patients or their relatives have specifically had to request Remdesivir in order to have it administered.
Since it has been successfully used, it would seem that citizens ought to help spread the word and encourage people to request Remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies for COVID. Do not let it become just a treatment for the privileged. At the same time, citizens should spread the word to avoid the use of Ivermectin. We realize that in this day of the internet and social media-mania, the news, like gossip and misinformation, can spread rapidly. Because of that, science and the advice of medical specialists too often has to compete with what is promoted by politicians and one’s Facebook buddies.
In the battle for audiences, scientists and medical specialists must become the winners. Otherwise, too many people will continue to die of the virus. The politicians who promote the non-science ideas and products are generally promoting their agenda, which do not prioritize the health and well-being of the total society. On the other hand, the scientists and medical specialists devote their careers to the matters of life and the physical well-being of the nation as a whole. Political agenda are not what motivate them.
It ought to be a simple matter to listen to what is said by the Food and Drug Administration, the Center for Disease Control, and other such state and federal health agencies rather than somebody who is seeking political support or is just a friend, when it comes to things as serious as one’s health and well-being. If that is not a simple matter, one’s life may have become too complicated.
Just try to remember that for the treatment of COVID-19, its “yes” to Remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies, but “no” to Ivermectin. It could be a matter of life and death.
