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Texas Doctor Claims to Have a Silver Bullet for COVID-19

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Rumors of a treatment for COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, are brewing in Odessa. Dr. Richard Bartlett, a local doctor, claims he has discovered the way to treat the disease. Currently, the treatment is not yet FDA approved, still, people are toting the method as a “silver bullet.” Bartlett has purportedly treated high-risk patients, as soon as symptoms materialized, for the last three months. Bartlett says he’s treated dozens of patients with COVID, and he claims a 100% survival rate so far.

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After working as an emergency room doctor for 28 years and at further various West Texas clinics recently, Dr. Bartlett has developed and utilized a plan to help those affected by COVID-19 with an inhaled steroid called Budesonide, which has been used for years to help with asthma. Per the Doctor, quoted by msn.com, “the treatment plan is inhaled, generic budesonide. Using some generic antibiotics to protect from a secondary bacterial infection. Using zinc, which interferes with virus replication. It’s common sense. It’s intuitive.” Bartlett claims his patients report immediate relief. The FDA has not approved Budesonide for use in treating COVID-19.

Texas Doctor Claims to Have a Silver Bullet for COVID-19

Photo: @gigibunny via Twenty20

While further testing is needed, the potential for an aid in the fight against COVID-19 is appreciated by the medical community. European studies were planned to begin in June. Dr. Bartlett tells sources he is writing a paper to submit to medical journals. The inhaled treatment follows along the lines of a recent open letter sent to the World Health Organization, in which 239 scientists from 32 countries outlined evidence presenting that smaller particles can infect people, and the disease can be spread via the air.

In Texas, as of July 6, there are 194,932 cases, with 2,628 fatalities. Per the CDC, some symptoms of COVID-19, or coronavirus, are fever or chills, a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.