© Provided by Akron Beacon Journal Dr. Gary Bollin

Avoid the handshake, hug and even elbow bumps and try to keep three to six feet away from others to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus, a Cleveland Clinic Akron General doctor suggests.

Social distancing, or keeping three to six feet apart from each other, in addition to good hand hygiene is the best advice right now, said Dr. Gary Bollin, chief of infectious disease and medical director of infection control for Akron General.

Bollin said forgo any greetings that involve physical contact with someone, including the fist bump.

"I don't know if the back of your hand is that much less contaminated than the palm of your hand if you're infected. The interesting thing with elbow bumps is we tell people to cover their coughs and cough into the crook of their elbow.

"Do you really want to bump elbows with someone who just coughed into their elbow?"

"I would say forgo the handshakes and contact until this situation is better characterized and better control," said Bollin. Additionally, with the new coronavirus, or Covid-19 disease, some people do not show symptoms but are still contagious, he said.

Everyone should be utilizing these guidelines, he said, but additionally, "if you're senior citizen or have complicating medical problems that put you at risk for respiratory infections, you should be extra cautious about avoiding exposures. Be extremely cautious and avoid large crowds."

Steve Millard, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Akron Chamber, said business people know they are not supposed to be shaking hands to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

If everyone stops doing it, then no one feels slighted, Millard said. He was at one event this week where he and others nodded at each other, he said.

In any case, people should be using hand sanitizer and washing their hands regularly when they are out on official business, he said.

Should people be holed up in their houses?

"I don't think they need to be holed up in their house yet," though maybe older people or those with medical issues might consider, said Bollin. "But I suggest you start making preparations if this gets worse."

On Tuesday, many colleges and universities began canceling in-person classes and moving to online teaching. However, several kept their dormitories open, while suggesting students use social distancing.

"I think ideally in that setting, it would be preferable for them to go home like the other students who are not in the dorms," said Bollin, though he acknowledged that there may be students, such as international students or those without transportation, who may not have other places to go.

"Ideally, you'd want them to empty out [dorms] if they can," he said. "That may not be possible. Then you advise them to use the same kinds of precautions and social distancing precautions."

Bollin and other health experts have said the Covid-19 virus does not seem to be affecting children from birth to age 18 as much as adults, senior citizens and those with medical issues.

Bollin said there is still a lot of information that is unknown or that the medical community is learning.

One study showed that a small number of patients contracted both influenza and Covid-19 or other respiratory illnesses since they are different viruses and there is no cross-immunity.

Bollin said it is not too late to get the flu shot.

"We're still seeing a lot of influenza. It takes about two weeks for your immune system to fully respond to the flu vaccine," he said.

People who have had potential exposure to someone with coronavirus or have traveled to areas where there are cases have been asked to self-quarantine at home for 14 days.

If you develop flu-like symptoms, do not go to the hospital, but call your doctor first.

Patients who do test positive for Covid-19 are being asked to quarantine at home, "unless you have evidence of progressive respiratory failure that would require hospitalization.

HOTLINES

Cleveland Clinic has opened a coronavirus hotline. Additional the state and Summa Health also have hotlines.

Cleveland Clinic's coronavirus hotline: 855-697-3750. It is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Website information is www.clevelandclinic.org/coronavirus

Ohio Department of Health call center: 833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). It is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Summa's Coronavirus Call Line: 234-867-6314. It is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

VOLUNTEERS

Akron General also has decided to suspend volunteer services by the end of the week, said spokesman Joe Milicia. Many volunteers of nonprofits are older and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control have suggested they stay home, if possible.

"To protect our volunteers, we're planning to suspend volunteer services by end of the week," said Milicia, who added the hospital hasn't had many volunteers cancel. "We appreciate the dedication of our volunteers to serving our patients. We're committed to maintaining all of our services for patients."

Summa Health is not canceling it's volunteer program, "but volunteers can take a leave of absence, if they desire. Volunteers must follow the same rules as employees in terms of travel restrictions, which include the CDC recommendations," said Summa spokeswoman Shannon Houser.

Volunteers do not enter rooms of patients in isolation and are required to have proper immunizations prior to volunteering, she said.

Akron Children's Hospital is still evaluating it's volunteer policy.

Beacon Journal consumer columnist and medical reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ and see all her stories at www.beaconjournal.com/topics/linfisher.