Dr. Wieland: If you notice COVID-19 symptoms “stay away from everybody”

Posted on March 10, 2020
OSF St. Joseph Medical Center general surgeon Dr. Wieland spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller about steps that individuals can take to prevent them from getting COVID-19. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON –  As cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) increase, a general surgeon with OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is laying out tips to protect the public from the virus.

According to Illinois Public Health officials, 19 Illinoisans have tested positive for COVID-19. Dr. Wieland said once an individual notices symptoms, it is up to the individual to self-quarantine.

“Right now, it’s up to the individual to isolate themselves if you fall into any of those categories, then you have a duty to your family certainly to kind of limit your exposure to everybody else,” Dr. Wieland told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Things like covering that cough and washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded areas, if you feel you are coming under the weather, you do not have to wait until that fever pops before you decide that you are sick. You have to force yourself to stay away from everybody physically.”

For hospitals like OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Dr. Wieland said precautionary steps are taken to ensure the virus does not spread.

“A lot of it is updating policies that have been in place and revising them, perhaps making them more specific to this particular illness,” added Dr. Wieland. “We had the Ebola outbreak several years ago, and I thought the local hospitals did a great job and actually had some minimal exposure to maybe a few patients and staff that feel under those categories of exposure…I’m at OSF, and they have actually activated their Command structure, so I think they have daily conference calls with their related facilities.”

Listen: Dr. Wieland, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center general surgeon spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller: 

On Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker announced a disaster proclamation had been issued in response to COVID-19.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…