Doctor Explains the Truth About the Novel Coronavirus: Prevention, Immune System Strengthening, and Perspective

Dr. Ekberg analyzes the 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak, which originated in Wuhan, China, and its global spread. He clarifies that while coronaviruses are a common group of viruses, this novel strain is concerning due to its mutation, human-to-human transmission, and potential for asymptomatic spread. He acknowledges the World Health Organization's declaration of a health emergency and the necessity for caution, but also stresses the importance of maintaining perspective by comparing its fatality rate to previous coronaviruses like MERS (30% fatal) and SARS (10% fatal), as well as the annual seasonal flu (30,000-60,000 deaths in the US).

A key distinction is made between the novel coronavirus's 2% fatality rate (at the time of recording) and the much higher rates of MERS and SARS, as well as the significant annual death toll from seasonal flu. The speaker emphasizes that despite a lower individual fatality rate, the uncertainty and potential for a pandemic necessitate serious precautions. He advises listeners to rely on constantly updated, official information from reputable organizations like the CDC, National Institute of Health, and WHO, rather than succumbing to speculation or fear-mongering.

The podcast outlines three main steps for individuals: (1) Don't get it – this involves avoiding non-essential travel, crowds, and sick individuals, understanding droplet transmission (within a 6-foot range), and practicing frequent hand washing with warm water and soap, noting that hand sanitizers are primarily designed for bacteria and less effective against viruses. (2) Don't spread it – even if feeling strong, individuals should follow the same precautions as a courtesy to protect vulnerable populations (the very young, very old, and immunocompromised). (3) Up-regulate your immune system – this is presented as the most crucial and often overlooked aspect of defense.

Dr. Ekberg strongly advocates for improving nutritional status and reducing stress as primary defenses. Specific advice includes eliminating sugar and processed foods, which down-regulate the immune system and feed pathogens, and practicing stress reduction techniques such as breathing exercises and meditation to shift the autonomic nervous system into a healing mode. He controversially suggests that the higher flu death rate in the US, despite high vaccination rates and expensive healthcare, might be attributable to poor nutritional status and high stress levels. He urges listeners to share this message to empower others to proactively manage their health and avoid panic, which itself is a form of stress that compromises the immune system.

"this particular corona virus is called 2019 and CoV"

"there is also a possibility or probability that asymptomatic people may spread this"

"The World Health Organization has declared it a health emergency"

"if we can contain it early then there may not be a big deal but if it gets out of hand it could be a worldwide pandemic"

"this new corona virus 2019 nco so far is about 2% fatal"

"the CDC and the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organisation's those are the three organizations that you want to get your facts from"

"hand sanitizers you use them if you if you want to if they're available but they don't do all that much because they primarily designed for bacteria"

"up regulate your immune system there may be some random chance and some bad luck in contracting and being exposed to the virus but how well you fare how well you deal how well your body deals with the virus is not random chance"

"sugar will down regulate your immune system it will feed all the pathogens"

"you dramatically improve your immune system when you are relaxed you dramatically reduce your immune system when you're stressed"

"I think it is because the United States has the worst nutritional status of any country in the world we have the most stress and the worst nutrition"

"most importantly don't panic because panic is a form of stress it will down regulate your immune system"