I am sure by now you have had plenty of info about the coronavirus also known as COVID-19. This post is NOT about how many people have been diagnosed or what the virus is.
In this post, I will share my opinion, quote some professionals, and cite reliable sources about the reality of the situation and what we should do at this stage.
Like the rest of you, I have been following this outbreak since January trying to figure out what comes next. Daily updates on the news, about new cases and the figures skyrocketing are not helping to stay positive.
Disclosure: Daramiblog offers information that is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Here you can read my full disclosure.
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At this point, there is no known cure and experts say that it might take up to a year and a half to come up with one. Therefore, this virus is not going to disappear any time soon.
The good news is that we have been going through some also severe viruses and flues over the years. Such as the swine flu also known as H1N1 where the records show that there have been plenty of outbreaks throughout the years with far more cases compared to the coronavirus COVID-19.
However, the coronavirus is far more contagious than the swine flu according to the WHO. Up until March 3rd, the death rate of the coronavirus is 3.4% of the reported cases. (Source)
H1N1 outbreaks
Starting back in 1918 pandemic, 1976 and 1988 US outbreak, 2007 Philippines outbreak, 2009 Northern Ireland outbreak, 2015 and 2017 India outbreak, 2015 Nepal outbreak, 2016 Pakistan outbreak, and 2017 Maldives outbreak
While writing this post I took a break and of course I had to research the issue while restingđ
I came across this eye-opening and educational video by Cary Huang an undergrad at Stanford Univesity, who has some amazing video content on youtube, you should do yourself a favor and check it out.
Till today people around the world get infected with it. I am not saying that the swine flu and the coronavirus are the same. All I am saying is that we have accepted the outbreaks and learned how to live our lives despite having so many of them.
The swine flu is just an example and thankfully there is a vaccine for it. As for the coronavirus, unfortunately, there is nothing that doctors can do to kill the virus yet.
Looking at current statistics we can logically come to the conclusion that the coronavirus will reach all over the world, there will be cases reported everywhere. Letâs face it we do not live in a bubble, traveling is easier, many borders around the world are open like in the EU which makes it easier for viruses to get transmitted.
The cases reported by each country are increasing on a daily basis, so what to do?
Get the facts right about coronavirus
The information online is endless but not all reliable. There are people out there that are trying to spread fake news. In order to keep yourself informed with true facts, check sources like the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Center for Disease and Control (CDC).
I also take doctorsâ opinions into consideration, there is a very informative interview on CBCNews with a Canadian physician Dr. Peter Lin which is simple, on point, and factual. I recommend watching it.
Do not Panic
I know this might be difficult for some, I know it is for me. Ever since the outbreak, I have been researching the virus, and I know how overwhelming this information can be first hand.
Nevertheless, to be able to fight off any threat, in this case, the coronavirus we need to be able to use our logic. Panic brings a sensation of fear which can be so strong that reason and logical thinking are thrown out of the window. The cherry on top is the animalistic fight-flight reaction seen in many cases.
So, do not panic and use critical thinking. Here is what the World Health Organization (WHO) advises.
Children are also vulnerable and susceptive to stress. Especially when they hear schools being closed down, some are getting disinfected and so on. The World Health Organization has some tips to help children cope with stress for all the caretakes of children out there.
Preventive measures
Since the virus is highly contagious there are precautions that you can take in your daily life to prevent getting infected.
The truth is that the coronavirus needs to get to our cells in order to multiply like any other virus. This is why it is essential to do everything in your power to prevent it from entering the body, one essential thing is not to touch your face and eyes.
Personal hygiene is extremely important at all times.
Check more detailed precautions recommended by the WHO below :
Cleaning
All frequently touched surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Including, phones, doorknobs, handles, light switch, desks, headphones, keyboards, countertops, sinks, faucets, and toilets.
Check what the WHO recommends on cleaning and disinfecting your home.
There is a list of disinfectant approved by the EPA you can check here.
Traveling
Try avoiding any unnecessary travel since it does increase the risk of exposure, but if you really must travel then follow the same guidelines.
Be extra careful while cooking as well.
Masks
Please, I beg you, DO NOT get medical masks if you donât need them. If you are not sick and you are not taking care of someone sick, and unless your authority doesnât require you to wear one, you have no business wearing one.
The medical staff is the one that needs them the most. In many countries that are dealing with a huge number of cases and the epidemic has gone out of control, masks are hard to find. Doctors and nurses have been forced to examine potential cases without personal protective equipment. Masks are an essential part of it.
Do you really want to be the one causing any lack of masks?
Please, consider the people in the front lines that are keeping all of us safe.
As of the 4th of April, 2020 the CDC is advising to cover your mouth and nose with a cloth even IF YOU ARE NOT SICK.
On their page you can find a DIY cloth face covering.
Here is what the WHO recommends on who needs it, how to properly use and dispose of one:
Societyâs responsibility:
We all have the responsibility to do everything in our power to help the medical staff all over the world do their job. The basic but detrimental thing we can do is to help flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus.
What this means is that every health care system in the world has a limited capacity and in order to not overwhelm it governments are taking protective measures.
Medical professionals are advising to practice social distancing, self-isolation and in some cases quarantine.
What is Social distancing?
It is frequently used in times like these. It has to do with basically keeping a 2-meter distance from people in public and avoid gathering in large groups.
What is Self-isolation?
As the term states, it is when you yourself have been infecting and voluntarily decide to isolate yourself in order to prevent infecting others. This measure can be also imposed by federal, state, or local public health orders.
What is Quarantine?
When you believe you might have come in contact with someone positive and decide to isolate yourself from others. Any suspicion of exposure to the virus falls in this category. Remember that symptoms DO NOT appear right away after contact.
Please check the more detailed explanation by the CDC here.
Maintain a strong immune system
Since there is no cure for it, doctors rely on our immune system to fight the virus off. This is why we need to have a strong immune system to tackle the virus if the inevitable happens.
Looking at statistics we notice that the elderly and infants are more at risk since their immune system is weaker. Many people have recovered successfully on their own, some do not need to be hospitalized at all.
This is due to having a strong immune system. So eating healthy, exercising and staying positive are the only things that can save an infected body.
According to the latest updates, we did notice that people who did not travel to countries with an outbreak have been tested positive. We can safely say that the travel criterion makes no sense at this point.
As Eric Feigl-Ding epidemiologist at Harvard school of public health said: â Testing as soon as we can to ramp it up is absolutely criticalâ.
Personal opinion
Please, stay informed with the latest reliable information about the virus.
Be extra careful of all your movements at all times.
DO NOT hoard on things. Others do not have the option to panic buy and you might be preventing them from getting the essentials because you decided to get 50 toilet paper rolls.
To conclude
As my partner says â The challenge is not the virus itself, rather than how unprepared we areâ
Staying informed with real facts will make us understand the virus, how it works and what we need to do in order to protect ourselves.
Follow the governmentâs advice and abide by the measures.
Always be cautious of your movements and apply preventive measures at all times.
Boost up your immune system and pray for the best.
I hope we all stay safe.
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What kind of preventive measures do you take? Is there anything I missed that you would like to add. Let me know in the comments.
