2019-nCoV Outbreak World Map

If the Coronavirus Becomes Pandemic, it’s important to Know How to Prepare.

First of all, what is this virus and why is it such a big deal? How do I protect myself? Coronaviruses are actually nothing new, they have been commonly found for years. The actual virus originates in animals, like camels or bats. Normally they do not transmit to humans, but occasionally it mutates and passes on to people. It has happened a few times in the past, remember SARS and MERS? Those were coronaviruses as well. Luckily they were not virulent enough to become pandemic. It is still unknown how strong the current strain will be.

Where did it come from?

The current virus, more specifically named the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China. It was linked to a large seafood and animal market, although the exact origin is unknown. Check the CDC website for more updates. The CDC states: “This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available”. It’s still too early to tell how virulent this current strain will be.

Coronavirus Symptoms

It’s important to realize that with this virus and most viruses, a person may have no symptoms at all for two to five days. Just because you do not have a fever or runny nose, does not mean you have not been infected. Also, even with no symptoms, a person can still infect others with the virus. The symptoms include typical cold symptoms or upper respiratory infection symptoms, a flu-like illness, or bronchitis. More severe symptoms will involve a fever or shortness of breath. Not unlike most cases of flu, people with normal immune systems should be fine. The Coronavirus is most worrisome among the very young, the very old, and people with suppressed immune systems.

Good advice!

Transmission of Coronavirus

This virus is spread like the flu and colds. When somebody sneezes or coughs, tiny droplets of saliva or mucus are sprayed into the air and onto surfaces up to five to seven feet away. When these droplets come in contact with another person’s mucous membranes, such as mouth, nose, eyes, and anus (be careful). Some viruses are more contagious than others, it is still unknown exactly how contagious the current Coronavirus is. What is known, however, is that this Coronavirus is encapsulated in an envelope that protects it from the environment. This envelope allows the virus to live for several days on surfaces and creates more opportunities for it to infect anyone who touches these surfaces.

What is a pandemic?

Simply put, a pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease. We know that every year we have a “flu season” that is typical to occur as the season’s change. Most people expect to possibly get the flu or a cold and fully recover without treatment. In the case of a pandemic, unusual patterns of outbreaks can occur even in the summer months. Also, the strain of the virus is much more severe and fatal in a wider range of people. Pandemics tend to cause more deaths because such a large proportion of the population becomes infected. The faster and easier the spread of a virus, the more likely it is to become pandemic.

How to prepare for a pandemic

Don’t panic! This probably won’t happen. But it is good to keep these things in mind to be prepared for the worst outcome. If you would like to hear this from an actual doctor, check out Dr. Ken Berry’s youtube channel. Or just check out the summary below.

7 Important Tips:

Stay Home! If a pandemic occurs, the best way to protect yourself is by staying home and away from crowded areas. Discourage or deny visitors. Wear an N95 or K2 medical-grade mask in public places to protect yourself from sneezes and coughs. Wear wrap-around safety glasses. A mask won’t protect the mucous membranes of your eyes from sneezes. Wear disposable medical gloves to avoid picking up the virus from surfaces or doorknobs. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap. Do not trust antibacterial hand solutions, they DO NOT kill viruses. Avoid mass transit such as buses, trains, and planes or other closed spaces with people. Avoid clinics and hospitals unless absolutely necessary. There is no test to confirm Coronavirus or any specific treatment. Unless you are dying, injured, or have a life-threatening infection, avoid the hospitals and clinics. Antibiotics do not work for viruses. There is no cure.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/pandemic/en/