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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Readiness is all over the news right now, and justifiably so. With the new pandemic on the horizon, it is good to understand a little about it so you can adequately be prepared. Make sure you are ready for the Coronavirus Kind of problem.
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the source of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.
Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring.
While Fever, Cough, and Shortness of breath might not be a huge issue for most of us, those young, old, and with compromised immunities are the ones having the issues. This has proven fatal for them, and we have seen our first death by this virus on US soil.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.
Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illnesses. About 2% of people with the disease have died. People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
How to Prevent Coronavirus
There is currently no vaccine to prevent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Person-to-person spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Coronavirus Symptoms in Dogs?
Viruses rapidly mutate, can cross species, and it might be the case here. We know the common cold can make our feline friends ill, so it wasn’t a surprise to hear that the pet dog of a Coronavirus patient in Hong Kong tested “weak” positive for COVID-19 and has been put in quarantine.
It was not immediately clear if the animal tested positive due to “environmental contamination” of the dog’s mouth and nose. Researchers suspect that COVID-19 spread to humans through an animal, but it was not clear what kind of animal transmitted the disease to people. The virus is now rapidly spreading from person to person.
What does this mean for your fur babies? Keep an eye on them and make sure you take care of them if they display any respiratory distress.
Should you get a mask?
Save your money. These masks often need 3-4 professional fittings to make sure they are tight enough to the face for the correct results. And ideally? The masks people are running to buy are meant for the people who ARE infected.
It takes that six-foot radius of contagion down to about six inches. Even the CDC suggests healthy people NOT wear a mask, but avoid touching their faces, and wash their hands often.
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
- People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
- Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new Coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily does the virus spread?
How easily a virus spreads from person to person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained.
The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during the use of the product.
The bottom line? Stock up on Chlorox wipes, and use a whole lot of common sense. If you have supplies for the common cold? You should be OK.
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