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On the occasion of the National Cystic Fibrosis Day, which is commemorated tomorrow April 22 (fourth Wednesday of April), the Respiralia Foundation and the Balearic Association of Cystic Fibrosis, together with the Cystic Fibrosis Spanish Federation (FEFQ), the Cystic Fibrosis Spanish Society (SEFQ) and the Cystic Fibrosis Spanish Foundation (FundEFQ), have wanted to launch the #ExpertosEnCuidarse campaign, where several people with Cystic Fibrosis will explain, through simple videos, the main protection measures against the new coronavirus.
In the exceptional situation that we are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the health authorities are trying to raise awareness among the population about the importance of protective measures to prevent infections. Many of these measures, such as putting on a mask correctly or maintaining a certain social distance, were already part of the daily life of people with Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic and inherited disease in which thickening of secretions occurs, which facilitates the accumulation of bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms that enter the lungs and cause respiratory infections. Some of these microorganisms are especially dangerous for people with CF and can lead to a faster decline in lung function. Hence, they must take special care, both in the hospital environment and in their personal lives.
For this reason, in this situation of health crisis, people with Cystic Fibrosis have wanted to contribute their grain of sand and help the population by teaching them to protect themselves correctly. They are #ExpertosEnCuidarse (Experts in taking care of themselves) and are familiar with the protective measures that are now recommended for the general population against the coronavirus. With the phrase “Taking care of you, we all take care of ourselves” they want to help curb the contagion curve and take the opportunity to demand that public health and the importance of greater investment in research be valued. On the occasion of the National Day of Cystic Fibrosis, the CF Spanish Federation will publish a series of videos starring several people with Cystic Fibrosis that will explain, in a simple way, how to use a mask, how to wear protective gloves, how to avoid infections from contact and how to properly wash your hands. The scripts of these videos have been reviewed by the doctors of the Cystic Fibrosis Spanish Society.
The young woman with CF Elisa González, plastic artist who created Crepitants (@crepitantes), also collaborates in the campaign with her characteristic illustrations, in addition to starring in one of the videos. The other three young people participating in the campaign are Jonatan Fernández (@elviajedeunfq), who recently recorded a documentary about his experience performing four triathlons despite having Cystic Fibrosis; Álvaro Abellán (@abesafitness), who through his social networks gives visibility to different aspects of Cystic Fibrosis and what it means to live with it; and Tatiana Chagoyen (@tatianacfwarrior), who in addition to having CF, is a doctor specializing in occupational medicine and occupational risks and is waiting for a lung transplant.
For people with Cystic Fibrosis it is especially important both to comply with the personal protection measures recommended by the health authorities, and for everyone to comply with them, since they are a group especially vulnerable to this respiratory infection. According to Teresa LLull, president of the Respiralia Foundation: “This campaign wants to raise awareness among the population about the need to carry out these individual measures, and it is important that society is sensitized to people with CF, because the consequences of not following them affect everyone. When all this has happened, our group will need to protect itself in its day to day. We must invest in public health and research in our country and I hope this is not forgotten once we all leave our homes again. We appreciate the great work being done by all the professionals who are on the front line against COVID-19. We must take note and be very aware that we must change priorities and invest in the most important thing for all, HEALTH“.
