Many people are worried about the coronavirus and what it will mean for their families, their businesses, and their lives. It feels like we are all at a standstill right now, trying to determine how we will move past this. While the economic recovery, and perhaps the mental one, will be long, the best thing you can do right is to not panic. Coronavirus isn’t a death sentence for most people. In fact, 50% of people who have it have no symptoms at all, and 99% of people who get it will recover.
Even so, it is something to take seriously. You should know the warning signs, the steps you should take if you think you have it, and the general outlook for your health.
COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that emerged from Wuhan, China in December of 2019. The name COVID-19 comes from the type of virus (Corona Virus) and the time it was IDentified (2019). It is a flu-like sickness that can cause no symptoms at all or it can be quite severe. In some instances, it has even caused death.
The disease is extremely easy to transmit to another person. Prevention techniques include quarantine, hand washing, wearing a mask when around others, staying home when you are sick, and social distancing. Although at least a six-foot distance is recommended between people this is arbitrary and there is no solid science behind the six-foot rule.
Scientists have been working hard to create a vaccine. It is possible we will have a vaccine by the end of 2020.
The COVID-19 symptoms vary by person. Some people will have absolutely no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 seem to include:
However, there have been some other symptoms that have been associated with COVID but don’t appear to be widespread, including body rashes, pink eye, ear pain, and lethargy.
For most people, if symptoms are going to appear, they show up within 14 days of exposure to the virus.
As of right now, there are no specific treatments for the novel coronavirus. If you get sick see your doctor! Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and monitor your temperature.
Some patients are hospitalized for treatment of coronavirus, but most patients don’t require hospitalization. In fact, most people who are healthy will not even know that they have it. These are what we call “asymptomatic carriers.” Some people will get extremely mild symptoms. Only a handful of people will get symptoms that are severe enough to need medical intervention.
COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Health officials aren’t sure of the exact source. Ideas about the origin of COVID-19 range from animal to human transmission to conspiracy theories that the virus was manufactured in a lab. One thing that we can tell is that the disease is easily transmitted. It passes through the mucus membranes – the mouth, nose, and eyes.
People are social distancing because of its ease of transmission. This is also why so many larger events are canceled, including sports, theater, concerts, and conventions.
While it may seem like your world has been turned upside-down by COVID-19, you need to know that it is not a death sentence. Most people will be just fine. Even so, you want to do all that you can to prevent getting it. Keep your distance if you can, wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and if you don’t feel right, stay home.
