WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

As more information becomes available about the coronavirus and the illness it causes, COVID-19, it’s difficult to know what to do. Do we self-quarantine? Do we carry on as usual? Do we shut down our businesses or stop going to work? Do we buy as many groceries and supplies as we can? Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus (COVID-19).

There’s a lot of uncertainty right now throughout the world. Italy, South Korea, and Iran are in crisis. Wuhan is still in lockdown. Cases are rapidly multiplying in other countries—Washington state currently being called the US’s Wuhan.

School districts and universities across the country have cancelled school. Large gatherings are discouraged and in some places, prohibited (while the maximum recommended number continues to shrink). Businesses are closing. Travel is banned to certain areas, and will probably continue seeing restrictions. Many states have shut down all bars and restaurants to dine-in customers.

Things are changing quickly as we come to understand that this is more serious than we seemed to anticipate in the beginning. As numbers continue to rise and medical facilities (in some countries) are operating far beyond capacity, now is the time to learn from other areas dealing with COVID-19.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW AND DO ABOUT THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS?

First, there is an overwhelming amount of information about the coronavirus available, with more articles being published every day. We are using the most current information available for this writing. If you’re reading all of the available articles, it could be hard not to feel overwhelmed by the current situation. Take a break if you need it.

Second, there is an incredible outpouring of kind of and generous people trying to better their communities. Look for the good and participate in it.

Third, knowledge is power, so we’ve put together some information to help you understand what’s happening, how we got here, and resources to make the best of the situation.

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause a wide variety of illnesses from the common cold to SARS. The new coronavirus, which causes the illness COVID-19, is a new type of RNA virus that causes respiratory illness. It was first identified in Wuhan, China, but has since spread globally. The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic on March 11, and in just four days following the announcement, social distancing was already being enforced in many states with school closures, travel bans, and cancelled events.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted between animals and humans. It is currently believed that the coronavirus outbreak stemmed from a market in Wuhan that sold live and dead animals. The host animal is currently thought to be bats, which were not sold at the market, but could have infected chickens or other live animals there were sold at the market.

Scientists in China believe that COVID-19 has mutated into two strains, with one being more aggressive than the other. This could complicate vaccine development, but human coronavirus vaccine trials are set to begin in April.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The initial symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you or a family member are experiencing these symptoms, please CALL your doctor’s office for next steps. Going to a busy waiting room without proper precautions could put a lot of people at unnecessary risk. Your doctor will advise you on how to proceed.

HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM COVID-19

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, not touching the face, and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness (coughing, sneezing, etc.)

CORONAVIRUS MYTHS

A lot of information is being released every day, but not everything you hear is true. The World Health Organization is providing a detailed list of MYTH BUSTERS (plus explanations) we all need to be aware of, including:

COVID-19 virus CAN be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus
Taking a hot bath does NOT prevent the new coronavirus disease
The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites
Hand dryers are NOT effective in killing the new coronavirus
UV lamps should NOT be used to sterilize skin
Thermal scanners can detect fever, but NOT coronavirus infections
Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will NOT kill viruses that have already entered your body
Pneumonia vaccines do NOT protect against the new coronavirus
Regularly rinsing your nose with saline does NOT appear to help prevent infection
There is NO evidence eating garlic will help prevent infection
Older people, as well as younger people, CAN be affected by COVID-19
Antibiotics are NOT effective in preventing or treating the new coronavirus
There are currently NO specific medicines recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus

THE PROBLEM WITH NOT TAKING COVID-19 SERIOUSLY

There have been plenty of posts all over social media decrying the fear-mongering media for turning the coronavirus situation into something much bigger than it actually is. While it’s certainly happened in the past, people in other countries are claiming (by way of social media) that we don’t actually have an accurate picture of just how serious COVID-19 is. We don’t have to feel fear or panic, but we do have to pay attention to what is happening right now here and abroad. We can learn from other countries, as some have handled it well and others haven’t intervened early enough to avoid catastrophic consequences.

Let’s look at three of the hardest-hit countries:

CHINA

The coronavirus originated in China so the data can give us an interesting look at how quickly it spread. The following graph offers a two-month timeline, the gray representing actual cases and orange representing confirmed cases.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association

Actual cases started out much higher than diagnosed cases, but as containment and diagnostic efforts began in earnest (with Wuhan and surrounding cities enforcing mandatory quarantines), the trend began to reverse.

Some people are making the argument that it would be better just to let it run its course and then be done with it, as we have with other illnesses such as SARS. COVID-19 is different because the rate of transmission is exponentially higher. China and Italy have both experienced much higher demand on their health care systems than they can handle, which has undoubtedly resulted in more deaths, as they simply can’t treat everyone. The following chart compares the two (SARS and COVID-19) side by side. Please note the number of cases and deaths, also noting the compressed timeline of COVID-19 (as it started later in the year by several weeks).

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association

SOUTH KOREA

South Korea is an interesting example of why social distancing is vital with something as highly contagious as COVID-19. They confirmed their first case on Jan 20 when a 35-year-old woman flew into South Korea from Wuhan. She was isolated upon entry into the country and only 29 additional cases were confirmed over the next four weeks.

Then “Patient 31” emerged and changed everything. Thousands of cases have been traced back to her because of her activities prior to diagnosis. Over the course of more than two weeks, she attended a club, two church services, a buffet lunch, two hospitals, and a public clinic.

Click here for more information and charts about South Korea’s outbreak and Patient 31.

ITALY

Italy has taken the global spotlight because of the sharp spike in cases and deaths they’re experiencing. Their death rate is higher than the global average and the current outlook is still grim. The world weeps for Italy, as they just reported 368 new deaths in 24 hours. This brings their death total to more than 1,800 and total cases to nearly 25,000.

Italians are now warning the rest of the world to learn from their experience, which you can see at the following links:

This Twitter thread from a northern Italy resident is yet another powerful reminder that taking preventive action is critical:

CONTINUE READING HERE

IS IT ALL BAD NEWS?

Thankfully, even with the abundance of discouraging news, there are plenty of bright spots emerging.

First of all, not every country is being crippled by COVID-19. Taiwan, only 81 miles off the coast of China, took swift action to contain the virus and avoid the same level of outbreak experienced in other countries. Despite confirming their first case on Jan 21, they’ve reported only 67 cases of COVID-19 and one death. With more than 23 million residents (850,000 of which live in China, which results in a lot of travel between the countries), and little outside support, they’ve done an incredible job containing the virus.

Read more about Taiwan and what they’re doing in these articles:

Second, there has been an incredible outpouring of generosity, locally and globally. Many, many people are (and will be) experiencing extreme financial hardship as they can’t go to work or open for business. Supplies are in high demand. Homeschool became an overnight necessity. Restaurants were closed to dine-in customers. But so much good is spreading, even in these difficult times.

To read a few encouraging stories, check out:

And we should all be cheering for China (and the world!) because Wuhan is finally getting back to work.

DIY RESOURCES

We know there’s been a run on toilet paper and cleaning supplies, and while there aren’t DIY instructions for everything (sorry, toilet paper searchers), there are some products you can replace with homemade versions!

And for all the parents whose kids are now home from school, try these fantastic FREE resources for keeping education fun and interesting!

What good news or free resources have you seen? Share with us in the comments—let’s spread the good!