News

On Tuesday, the Medical Society of DC sent a letter to the Bowser Administration asking for their COVID-19 messaging to include information on healthy lifestyle changes. While data around COVID-19 is still emerging, CDC data so far is showing simple lifestyle changes in patients could reduce the chance of ICU admission if infected.

The letter encourages the Bowser Administration to focus on three areas of healthy lifestyle that would help physical conditions particularly conducive to COVID-19 complications:

• Smoking cessation
• Optimizing medication
• Dietary changes

The letter notes emphasis on these tactics will not prevent COVID-19 infection; only social distancing, handwashing, and public health measurements can. However, preliminary data shows these three lifestyle changes COULD in a short time improve underlying health conditions that increase the chances of complications from COVID-19.