Posted on Wednesday, April 8, 2020
On behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), I would like to thank everyone who joined our successful first Zoom Meeting on Friday, April 3! We had nearly 40 participants joining us from seven countries. We were honored to be able to hold a question and answer session during the meeting with our Science Advisory Board Co-Chair Arthur L. Frank, MD, PhD.
This first (of what we hope will be many) meetings was held on what would’ve been the first day of our annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference. However, we postponed the conference out of safety and necessity during the COVID-19 crisis. During this trying time, we want to remain connected, and though we may be distancing ourselves physically to stay safe, we do not need to distance ourselves socially. 
We were lucky to have Dr. Frank’s expertise during this first meeting. Our meeting focused on the novel coronavirus that is ravaging our world right now. As Dr. Frank explained during our meeting, COVID-19 is in the coronavirus family. Coronaviruses are fairly common and usually cause the seasonal cold many of us get. However, COVID-19 is a new strain and seems to have come from an animal, and due to the ease of traveling in our modern world, spread quickly across the whole globe.
Dr. Frank said that there are three modes of transport for the virus: viral droplets, such as from sneezing or coughing, touching surfaces that have those droplets and then touching your face, or being in close contact with someone who has the illness. His recommendations mimic those of other major organizations (like the CDC or the WHO): Wash your hands frequently, don’t touch your face, cover your face in public places if you can (doesn’t need to be a mask, but a scarf or bandana would work), and frequently sanitize surfaces.
“This is in fact a war,” said Dr. Frank. “And the enemy is a virus that we cant see, feel, touch.”
Most importantly, Dr. Frank urged participants to use this time to connect to others. “Human beings indeed are pretty resilient but we need not do this alone, the common phrase is we’re all in this together, there’s different ways and views of what ‘all together’ means but this is the time to connect with family, with friends and with the professional groups that assist with severe emotional disturbances,” he said. “Turn to family and friends, [remember the idea of] social bonding, be in touch with people.”
We can also offer patients and caregivers and support and a listening ear during this time. Again, we may be distant from each other physically, but we are only getting closer mentally.
There is much we still do not know about COVID-19. Dr. Frank warned that it is likely to last longer rather than shorter, especially if people do not listen to social distancing practices.
In that sense, those people fighting asbestos-related illnesses need to be especially careful. However, Dr. Frank did not issue a blanket ruling over continuing current treatment for illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer. He urged anyone in such a situation to call their doctor and talk through the options. Be sure to ask the right questions: Can the treatment be put off?, cCan you risk going in and having it?, Can you find an alternate way and setting that doesn’t involve travel? Weigh the pros and cons with your doctor and make the decision.
Dr. Frank also urged participants to get the facts. Organizations he recommends include: the Johns Hopkins coronavirus website, Drexel University School of Public Health, and mentions the New York Times and the Washington Post are both allowing free access online for coronavirus information.
Be on the lookout for information about our next Zoom meeting. We are grateful for the time to connect and support each other during these trying times. You are never alone, because we are always here.
Linda Reinstein
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