We are told that it is going to spread!  All efforts need to be on what can be done to best be prepared for the coronavirus affecting the least amount of people.  COVID-19, is a disease that can cause what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract, sinuses, nose, and throat, or lower respiratory tract, windpipe and lungs.
 If a person’s lungs are damaged from smoking, it would be difficult for the lungs to deal with even a small amount of the coronavirus that spills over to the respiratory tract.  At least 22% of Wabash County population smokes cigarettes.  Smoking causes damage to the lining of the breathing tubes and within the lungs themselves where oxygen exchanges with the blood.  Whether someone is a long-term smoker, active and current smoker, their risk of having complications from coronavirus would be much higher than the general population.
 There is no verified proof that vaping and smoking increases the odds to attract the coronavirus. However, we do know that smoking any form of tobacco and vaping does damage the lungs and compromises the lungs ability to properly function.   This would weaken the ability to fight off the coronavirus when it attaches lung tissue.  Those that smoke cigarettes and vape would be categorized as having an underlying illness, which makes them more susceptible to the coronavirus. 
 Because the worst cases of COVID-19 rob a person of their ability to breathe, and those that smoke or vape already have compromised their breathing capacity, there is no better time to quit to help protect yourself from COVID-19.
 There is a general perception that any harm caused to the lungs is irreversible; that's not entirely true. While you can't necessarily undo the structural damage, the function of the lungs can improve significantly once cigarettes have been removed from the equation.
 According to research published in 2009 in the journal Respiratory Medicine, people with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can expect to experience normalization of lung function decline within a year of quitting.
 What this means is that the rate of decline considered normal with age was no different from someone who had never smoked before.
 Your body will immediately realize when the smoking cycle is broken. This is because tobacco smoke causes the reactive constriction of blood vessels in the body. When the smoke is removed, the constriction will start to cease, resulting in lower blood pressure, pulse rate, and your body temperature will start to return to normal.
 After eight hours of living smoke-free, the carbon monoxide levels in your blood will drop, while oxygen will start reaching your cells and tissues at a normal rate.
 After the first day of not smoking, the risk of heart attack starts to go down, in 48 hours the taste and smell receptors start to heal, and in 2 weeks breathing becomes easier, and circulation improves.  The body does start to heal itself when someone stops smoking and vaping.
 That is why it is so important to quit now.  Increase your odds to not contract COVID-19.  All you have to do is call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.  Free over the phone counseling and two weeks of free patches or gum to help you get started.  It is never too late to quit.  Any questions or desiring any local help, contact Dan Gray, Wabash County Tobacco Free Coalition, at tobaccofreewabash@hotmail.com or call 260-274-2920 (wabashcotobaccofree.net).

​The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has been responding to reports of individuals with severe acute respiratory illness who reported recent vaping or dabbing (vaping marijuana oils, extracts, or concentrates). This follows news from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) reporting clusters of severe respiratory illnesses seen in teenagers and young adults who had reported vaping in the weeks and months prior to the onset of illness.
As of Aug., 14, 2019, ISDH is investigating six cases of this syndrome in patients with a history of vaping that are similar to cases reported in other states. The cases range in age from adolescent to adult and are spread out across the state. One of the patients that is under investigation is an out of state resident who was hospitalized in Indiana. This is an ongoing investigation and the ISDH is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other states responding to reports of similar cases.
Patients experienced respiratory symptoms including:
 Cough
 Shortness of breath
 Chest pain
 Fatigue
 Fever
Other symptoms included weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Chest X-ray (CXR) showed bilateral opacities, and chest CT imaging shows diffuse ground glass opacities, often with subpleural sparing. These symptoms worsened over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital. All patients were placed on oxygen; no use of mechanical ventilation has been reported in the suspected Indiana cases. Evaluation for infectious etiologies (bacterial, viral, and fungal) were negative in all patients.
The ISDH is requesting that health care providers who are seeing patients with unexpected serious respiratory illness and who report a history of inhalation drug use in the previous 90 days, particularly vaping, report these to their local health department (LHD) as soon as possible. LHDs who are alerted of suspect cases should notify the ISDH immediately.
It is currently unknown what specific vape product(s) or chemicals may be linked to these illnesses, or where they were obtained. If the patient has vape product available and would be willing to submit for testing, please notify the ISDH to work out submission logistics.
To report suspected cases, submit vape product, or if you have additional questions, please contact Sara Hallyburton, ISDH Respiratory Epidemiologist, at (317) 234-2809, or the ISDH Epidemiologist-on-Call after hours at (317) 233-1325. You may also call the Indiana Poison Center at (800) 222-1222

Strong, Healthy and Invincible, the Image of Masculinity. On average, men die five years younger than women, and they die at higher rates from nine of the top 10 causes of death. Most of the factors that contribute to men living shorter and less healthy lives are preventable. Real men understand and are embracing their vulnerability. A healthy lifestyle starts with living tobacco-free and regular visits to healthcare providers. There are many things you can do to live longer healthier lives.
In  general, men are less likely to visit their doctor. Primary care  providers can help tobacco users quit and improve other baseline health factors. It goes without saying that you should visit your doctor  on a regular basis.

     Wabash County Tobacco Free Coalition represented Wabash County at the Raise It For Health Rally at the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday, February 19th.  The Raise It For Health campaign is working to increase the tax on cigarettes by $2.00 in effort to decrease smoking rates in Indiana and discourage youth from ever starting.  Speakers at the rally included representatives from the American Cancer Society, doctors, and youth who have observed the health effects of tobacco on the lives of their loved ones.  Check out http://raiseitforhealthin.com for more information on the campaign.