A new virus was detected at around the beginning of December 2019 from Wuhan, China, namely, the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which quickly spread over and has infected over ten thousands of people in dozens of countries. The World Health Organization has declared a global public health emergency over the outbreak. The virus causes symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty breathing and other respiratory symptoms. Public officials are working on how deadly the virus is, how quickly is it spreading and how to be protected against it. As this continues, the swiftly advancing virus is causing anxiety around the world.
The further expansion of the virus could be mild or very severe. Since the situation isn’t so clear, health officials recommend for canceled events, closed schools and interrupted work so for the potential of widespread illness.
Scientists are still studying about Covid-19. Since the disease was first detected in Wuhan, it still cannot be assumed whether it’s likely to spread more or stop. According to an analysis published on January 26 by scientists at Harvard University in the United States, each infected person could pass on the new virus to up to three people on average, making it as contagious as SARS, back in February 2003. However, new data since then suggests the virus could be far more infectious – it has spread to more than 28,000 people within weeks of its detection, outstripping the total from the months-long SARS outbreak.
Looking through the 51 situation reports prepared by the WHO, it can be evaluated that the disease might spread worldwide and affect as much as half the global population within a year, overwhelming health services and killing tens or even hundreds of millions of people. Besides that, the WHO is still spreading optimistic viewpoints regarding the virus so that the people don’t panic about it. Nevertheless, it’s always best to learn more about the to-be situation and prepare oneself against it.
Who’s the most prone to Coronavirus COVID-19
Around 3% of the confirmed cases in china died due to the reason of coronavirus as informed by the World Health Organization. Looking back at the data of three months, 80% of confirmed cases have a moderate and mild illness, 15% have severe illness needing hospitalization and 5% are critical leading into respiratory or organ failure.
The virus wouldn’t play favoritism among the people of various age groups or race or nationality or community and is affecting people all-over. So who actually is likely to get affected by the virus more?
The elderly
Referring to the data collected by WHO, the people above the age of 60 are at higher risk of proceeding the risk of COVID-19. Also, the data shows that the people above the age of 80 are having higher death rates. 15% of people alone from China died in that age group because of the disease promoted by the virus. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has recommended the people from that age group to keep themselves away from the crowd and vulnerable places.
Children
It may be that children’s lungs are less susceptible to infection or that their immune systems are stronger, there’s less chance that the children will fall sick. Not a case of death of the children due to the virus has been suspected from China. Despite this, very few have caught severe and critical cases though. Children might not get diseased easily but they may carry the virus around which may lead to affecting the people around them. This becomes one of the reasons to close down schools at the places where the virus is active. Thus, it’s equally important for the children too, to avoid crowds and remain as hygienic as possible.
Chronic disease patients
People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, kidney disease or cancer are more likely to be failed to fight against the COVID-19 virus. The data portraying that 9%of people with diabetes died out of the virus shows it’s really important for such people to take good care of themselves by medicating themselves properly and avoiding contact with crowds and stick close to home as recommended by CDC.
Everyone else
The young and healthy people who get in contact with the virus might not get severely ill but it’s possible that they might spread the virus around and the vulnerable people might worsen their condition. thus, it’s important that they don’t expose themselves in case of mild sickness and properly rest at home. The policies like school closure, event cancellations wouldn’t stop the virus but slow down it’s spreading.
How to Prepare for Coronavirus?
The outbreak of coronavirus hasn’t stopped or controlled to any extent since it’s the first identified case. Moreover, the extended number of deaths and infections are being discovered gradually. Less public participation, Closing down of schools, Cancellation of events are the few of the policies brought up at current to slowdown the overspreading of the virus. People with the symptoms of the virus are asked to isolate themselves as a way to blunt the impact of the disease.
In the case of the outbreak that spreads unstoppably in the future, how do we protect ourselves and our family?
Buy-beforehand
Before the pandemic strikes it’s better to store a two-week supply of water and food, as well as the medications that you’re taking on a regular basis. To have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins are helpful for future use if required. Also, it’s healthier to have an emergency response kit that could be used during any public health or severe weather emergency.
Travel Alert
CDC has recommended to the people on Wednesday that travelers ought to avoid the visits to virus mainland China and South Korea if unessential. Also, older people and people with chronic medical conditions need to avoid travel and also visit crowded places as much as possible. While it comes to go at your community such as grocery stores or libraries, health officials have recommended to simply be mindful of avoiding close contact with people who may be sick. Most importantly, if you yourself are sick, it’s best to be distant from people and prevent them from getting sick too.
Protect Children and yourself
If your child is sick it’s better to keep him/her at home and avoid school as your child may affect many other children too. It’s important to have their hygiene maintained and keep them aware as well. Also in your case, if you’re an office-goer it would be better if you can work from home if allowed. What’s best to be against the COVID-19 is to avoid public contact as much as possible.
If you need to go to Doctor
If you think someone in your household is affected by the virus, you need to contact then doctor. It’s appropriate to talk to your doctor on the phone before reaching him/her in person, as per the CDC. It is so that the office can make preparations to keep other people from getting infected or exposed to the virus. If it’s about your other problems besides corona it’s good to ask the doctor’s office about telehealth options. The doctor is likely to offer the option to conduct an appointment over the phone or via video conferencing, and if not, s/he could recommend a physician who does.
Yes or No to mask?
The CDC doesn’t recommend that people who are well wearing a facemask. Rather, the CDC recommends to only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have the novel coronavirus and are showing symptoms — that is in order to protect others from the risk of getting infected.
The others have to be careful about not catching the virus as the vaccine to prevent it hasn’t been discovered yet, as referred by CDC. Avoiding the touch to your eyes, nose, and mouth, covering your cough or sneeze with the bend of the elbow or a tissue and disposing of the tissue properly, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects, and washing your hands often with soap and water are the recommended ways by WHO to prevent the affection of COVID-19 virus. The proper way to wash your hands is for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after going to the bathroom and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
Good health habits such as managing stress and drinking plenty of fluids, exercising, eating a good diet, getting a lot of sleep, washing your hands, doing everything you can to stay healthy is what you need to do so the chances of the disease are lesser.
13 Myths About Coronavirus
- Face masks can protect you from the virus.
- You’re way less likely to get this than the flu.
- The virus is just a mutated form of the common cold.
- The virus was probably made in a lab.
- Getting COVID-19 is a death sentence.
- Lockdowns or school closures won’t happen in the US.
- Vitamin C supplements will stop you from catching COVID-19.
- It’s not safe to receive a package from China.
Know more from:
- WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS? SYMPTOMS | PREVENTION | DANGER
- Covid-19 update: WHO officially declared pandemic
The global pandemic is a crisis situation. The reports from all around the world are scary as a huge loss of human-kind has the world faced. As playing no favoritism, covid-19 has affected people from all gender, race, sex, nationality, culture and so on. Hence, as much all of us follow the health guidelines to remain safe, which includes;
- Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.
We all can overcome the global pandemic. Hence, stay healthy, stay safe!!