A video is going viral on social media. It features a Black woman who claims to be a nurse offering advice to Black people about Covid-19.
She says most Black people who die from Covid-19 have strokes (lack of blood flow to the brain) or blood clots in their lungs and extremities.
She claims most of her Black male patients who come to the ER aren’t complaining of a fever or cough. She says they are suffering from “malaise” or a generalized weakness and pain in the extremities.
The woman advises people who suspect they may have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to get up and walk.
Walking is appropriate after you have been successfully treated for DVT, and only on the advice of your doctor.
Telling someone who suspects they may have deep vein thrombosis to get up and walk is dangerous advice. Standing up and walking will only aggravate the condition, and sometimes results in immediate death.
That is because the blood clot is stable in the leg while you are seated or immobile. But if you stand up and walk, the clot may break off and travel up your leg to your lungs or heart.
DVT is sometimes caused by inactivity or sitting on a sofa for long hours without walking or exercising.
The increase in strokes (lack of blood flow to the brain) or DVT is probably due in part to people sitting at home watching the news all day on TV and not exercising (sedentary lifestyle).
If you have unexplained pain and swelling in your lower legs or arms, the skin feels hot to the touch, and you have a positive Homan’s sign (Google it), call your doctor or healthcare provider or go to the emergency room.
Be careful following bad advice on the Internet. Much if it is spread by agents of misinformation who target the Black community.
Remember to wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face.
