Rtn Chuda Karki: Covid-19

We started today’s online meeting by holding a minute’s silence in memory of our former member and Past President Chris Burr, who died last week. He ceased to be a member after increasing medical problems forced him to move into a care home near his son.

Our Treasurer, Bob Booker, reported that the Club was able to make payments of £490 each to Farleigh Hospice and the Chelmsford Foodbank from donations made by members to date during the lockdown.

Our member Dr Chuda Karki, who is a psychiatrist, gave a talk on Covid-19. He reminded us that when news about the new virus first started to emerge in January it was thought it would be largely restricted to China. When he flew to his native Nepal later in January he was worried by reports of travellers arriving in Nepal from China. In the event the virus was first brought into Nepal by passengers on a flight from Qatar. Fortunately Nepal has been able to control the outbreak and so far there have only been 57 deaths.

He reminded us that Covid-19 had been present in the animal population before it spread to humans. It is a disease with three stages, the worst of which is a pneumonia which may require the patient to be put on a ventilator. As we know, sadly the illness sometimes ends with the sufferer’s death.

Chuda himself has been active in counselling doctors on the frontline. There are worries about the shortage of personal protective equipment and doctors and other medical staff are concerned that they may catch the virus and take it back to their families. Doctors are becoming increasingly aware of their own mortality.

Chuda’s advice to them and to us is:

• Be positive. Don’t think you are the one who is going to get it.
• Ignore any temptation you may have to increase your alcohol consumption.
• Don’t listen to Mr Trump!

He also recommended remaining active and taking plenty of exercise.