Page 22 - Pakistan Link - January 29, 2020

P22 – PAKISTAN LINK – JANUARY 29, 2021 COMMENTARY
Survey Shows Most Pakistanis Wear Strengthening Social Connections

a Mask to Prevent COVID-19 while Maintaining Physical Distance

recent survey carried out s the situation around the doing other tasks. You’ll then be able to
by Gallup Pakistan, in col- coronavirus continues to really listen — and show you care.
A laboration with Jang-Geo Aevolve, we’re living life dif- • Be ready to act. If you’re con-
News Polls, shows that 78 % of ferently and learning as we go. Stress cerned, speak up. Asking someone if
Pakistanis prefer to wear a mask levels were high before the pandemic, they’re considering hurting themselves
in order to protect themselves but now they’ve skyrocketed. We all doesn’t increase the likelihood that
against coronavirus. need support. So while we physically they’ll do it. In fact, it could save their
As reported by Geo.tv, the sur- distance ourselves to help stop the life. And if you think someone is in dan-

vey was conducted between De- spread of COVID-19, finding new ger, call 911. Learn more about how to
cember 24, 2020, and January 15, ways to stay socially connected is start conversations about mental health
2021, and more than one thousand more important than ever. and emotional wellness at findyour-

respondents took part in it. words.org.
When survey recipients were Making conversations count Words are especially important
asked about “what preventative Thanks to technology, communi- right now

measures they are taking against cating from a distance is easy. But truly We might not have answers, but
COVID-19,” 78% said that they are connecting can be tough. Here are some we can learn how to talk things through
using a mask. 51% said that they ideas that can help make virtual conver- and offer each other support.

wash their hands frequently. Some sations a little easier:
47% of the respondents indicated • Create a safe space. Whether Conversation starters
that they use a hand sanitizer to on video chat, phone, or text, try to cre- Finding the words to express what
keep themselves safe from the virus, ate an environment where everyone you’re experiencing can be hard. But of-
while 27% said they used gloves. feels like it’s OK to open up. Use reas- fering support and asking for help are
About 19% said they prefer suring language and make it clear that essential. Everyone is looking for ways
staying at home most of the time to you’re ready and willing to listen. to say, “I can’t be there with you, but I’m
prevent themselves from contact- • Be vulnerable. Talk about here for you. And I’m listening.” Here
ing the infection, while 4% opined feel worried about this trend. But, ried when their coworkers come to how you’re feeling up front. If you’re are some questions you can ask to help
that quarantining at home is the 46% said they feel worried when work without a mask, while 46% honest about your own struggles, you get a meaningful conversation started:
safest way to prevent the virus from people do not wear a mask in pub- said they feel concerned for their can help encourage others to open up • “How can I support you to-
spreading. On the other hand, 13% lic. safety when colleagues show up about theirs. day?”

of the respondents said that they are When asked about shops and without a mask. • Check in often. Ups and • “What are you looking for-
not taking any kind of precautions shopping centers which people fre- Neighbours taking precau- downs are normal, so check in with ward to today?”
against the virus. quent without wearing a mask, 51% tions: When asked if their neigh- family, friends, and co-workers fre- • “Tell me what’s worrying
Worry about people not wear- said they do not feel worried about bors wear a mask, 57% said they quently. Routine can be comforting, so you.”
ing a mask: When asked about feel- this attitude, while 46% said they have observed them wearing a set regular times to talk. You can strengthen a social con-
ing worried in public places when feel concerned for their safety. mask, whereas about 42% indicated • Stay present. Focus on con- nection right now
people avoid wearing masks, 50% In terms of offices, 50% of pro- that their neighbors do not wear a necting and being present. If you’re on Pick a family member, friend,

of the respondents said they do not fessionals said they do not feel wor- mask. video chat, make eye contact and avoid CONNECTIONS, P28
Probability of Dying of COVID-19 in the Hospital Doubles in LA County

n By Rong-Gong Lin II admitted. And it is likely that a greater dropped to 19,537, the lowest level since
fraction of patients is being sent home Dec. 26. Of those, 4,670 patients are in
he chances that a person hospi- with instructions to return to the hos- ICUs, the fewest in two weeks.
talized for COVID-19 will die pital should their illness worsen,” Lewis “These are rays of hope shining

Tin Los Angeles County have said. through,” Dr Mark Ghaly, California’s
doubled in recent months. While state data show 7,073 coro- health and human services secretary,
That’s according to an analysis navirus-positive patients were hospital- said last week.

released Wednesday by the county’s ized countywide Wednesday — down But the state, like LA County, is
Department of Health Services, which more than 12% from the record high of seeing high numbers of deaths day over
found that the probability someone will 8,098 set Jan. 5 — the number of COV- day. California has averaged 485 daily
die of the disease while hospitalized in- ID patients requiring intensive care has deaths over the last week, an increase of
creased from about 1 in 8 in September remained relatively flat over that same 27% from two weeks ago, according to

and October to roughly 1 in 4 since early period, falling to 1,687 on Wednesday, data compiled by The Times.
November. down 2.5% from the high of 1,731 set Over the last 14 days, California
Those increased odds coincide Jan. 8. has reported 17.7 COVID-19 deaths per

with a devastating spike in LA County’s When hospitals are less in crisis, 100,000 residents, the 12th-highest rate
death toll. In early November, when the they are more likely to admit people through their mouth into the trachea being stored at hospitals and coroner’s among all states, Times data show. Ari-
current coronavirus surge began, there who are on the tipping point of needing and hooked to a machine that breathes offi ces. zona has recorded the highest rate dur-
were fewer than 20 COVID-19 deaths hospitalization. for them. In mid-April, when the pandemic ing that time, 28.1.
per day, on average. But over the week- But as demand for resources and Though the county has seen some was in its early stages, LA County’s daily At Dodger Stadium, the largest of

long period that ended Wednesday, beds has grown, so have the needs of improvement in its overall hospital COVID-19 death toll was roughly 50, five city-run vaccination sites in Los An-

there were roughly 206 deaths reported COVID-19 patients being admitted in numbers, Public Health Director Barba- on average. The current wave has been geles, healthcare workers administered

each day, according to data compiled by LA County. ra Ferrer stressed that the current figure markedly worse, with the average daily 7,730 vaccines Wednesday and threw

The Times. Here’s a rundown of how the make- remains distressingly — and unsustain- death toll peaking at 241 deaths a day none out, Mayor Eric Garcetti said. He
More than 4,000 of LA County’s up of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in ably — high. for the seven-day period that ended on acknowledged the slow pace at which

14,000-plus COVID-19 deaths have the county has changed from September “This is still a very large number Jan. 14. the vaccines were distributed, with some

been reported since New Year’s Day. The and October, when the pandemic was of COVID patients, and our hospitals While the number of daily deaths people waiting up to five hours Wednes-

county accounts for roughly 41% of Cal- less overwhelming, to the surge period are inundated with people suffering has dipped, the rate is still significantly day, but he said that the average wait

ifornia’s 35,000 cumulative COVID-19 that began in November. from serious health problems because of higher than at any time in the pandemic. Thursday was 30 to 40 minutes.
deaths, despite being home to only a Between Sept. 4 and Nov. 3, the COVID-19,” she said during a briefing On Wednesday, local health jurisdic- He estimated that healthcare work-

quarter of the state’s population. resources required on average for each Wednesday. tions in LA County reported 294 COV- ers would inoculate more than 8,000
Dr Roger Lewis, director of COV- COVID-19 patient were: Daily deaths remain extraordinari- ID-19 deaths, one of the highest single- people at the stadium Thursday.

ID-19 hospital demand modeling for the • Days in the hospital: 6.93 ly high in LA County, which has resulted day tallies of the entire pandemic. The Garcetti promised to keep trying

LA County Department of Health Ser- • Days in the intensive care unit: in the National Guard being called in record number of deaths reported in a to streamline the vaccine’s distribu-
vices, said the increased chance of dying 2.09 to help overloaded hospital morgues by single day is 318, which was reported on tion, likening getting an inoculation
is a result of hospitals being so crowded • Days on mechanical ventilation: taking bodies to the county coroner’s of- both Jan. 8 and Jan. 12. center as large as Dodger Stadium up

that only the sickest patients are being 1.16 fice for storage until funeral homes and “COVID-19 continues to take far and running to “driving a car at 60 mph
admitted. Since Nov. 3, the resources re- mortuaries can process the backlog. Lo- too many lives — young and old — and while building it.”

Because hospitalized COVID-19 quired on average for each COVID-19 cal air quality officials have suspended so many families and friends are facing As the city and county continue to

patients are now uniformly more se- patient were: monthly limits on the number of crema- difficult times without their loved ones,” distribute vaccines to growing numbers

verely ill, a greater percentage of them is • Days in the hospital: 9.49 tions to avoid a public health crisis. Ferrer said. of people, Garcetti said, he will push for
more likely to die. • Days in the ICU: 2.38 The current death rate is “more LA County, by far the nation’s most people from communities dispropor-

“During the current surge, while • Days on mechanical ventilation: than double that of pre-pandemic years, populous, both drives and reflects wider tionately hard hit by the virus — low-
hospitals are critically overcrowded … 1.89 leading to hospitals, funeral homes and trends happening statewide. income areas where many of the city’s
clinicians are being extremely judicious The actual care a particular patient crematoriums exceeding capacity, with- California as a whole has also seen essential workers live — to be “at the

in their decisions to hospitalize pa- needs can vary widely. For instance, out the ability to process the backlog,” dips in its hospitalization numbers — front of the line.”
tients,” Lewis said. some patients may require no care in the South Coast Air Quality Manage- cause for cautious optimism, officials

“The current data suggests that the ICU, while others may spend weeks ment District said Sunday. say, but not celebration yet. (Times staff writers Laura J. Nelson

only patients who are quite ill and clear- on ventilators, struggling to breathe and The air quality agency said that as On Wednesday, the number of CO- and Matthew Ormseth contributed to
ly require acute hospitalization are being generally sedated, with a tube inserted of Friday, more than 2,700 bodies were VID-19 patients hospitalized statewide this report. LA Times)
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