WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
BY JUDY
PARIS,
RN, BA BSN,
MSN
As the coronavirus,
also
known
COVID-19 (the disease) and SARSCoV
2 (the virus), spreads around
the globe, so does misinformation.
Here are some facts about the virus
and infection it causes.
Accurate facts come from sources
such as the CDC (Center for
Disease Control), WHO (World
Health Organization), appropriate
government agencies, information
from reputable, qualified people,
scientists and knowledgeable health
care workers and NYC Department
of Health (DOH) . There are also daily
updates from the CDC at www.cdc.
gov, NYC Department of Health at
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh and
NY State https://coronavirus.health.
ny.gov/home.
WHAT COVID-19 IS:
• Coronaviruses comprise an
entire branch of the virus family
tree including disease-causing
pathogens behind the flu, SARS,
MERS and several variants of the
common cold.
• It is important to remember
that the vast majority of COVID-19
cases, about 80%, appear to be
mild, causing cold-like symptoms
like coughing, shortness of breath
and fever. Some people never even
know they’re infected.
• As of March 27: There were
approximately over 90,000 confirmed
cases in the US with over
over 1,300 deaths. NYC accounted
for approximately 25% of cases
(over 23,000) with approximately
365 deaths. The numbers are rising
daily.
• The true death rate is uncertain
at this point but appears to be
tracking higher than the seasonal
flu at somewhere between 1.5%
and 2%.
• People who are immune-suppressed
as well as the elderly are
more at risk. Those with a pre-existing
illness are more likely to get
seriously ill.
• How many people die of
COVID-19 depends on the kind of
health care they receive. In China,
for example, death rates are much
higher in Hubei Province than the
rest of the country, in part because
of the lower quality of the care.
HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED:
• Like other coronaviruses, the
COVID-19 virus infiltrates the
airways and resides in the lungs.
At worst, these pathogens can
cause severe forms of viral pneumonia,
which in some cases leads
to death.
• The virus is capable of moving
directly from person to person
through tiny respiratory droplets
produced when an infected person
talks, coughs or sneezes. So it exits
from the mouth or nose.
• It travels through the air to
settle directly on skin or frequently
touched surfaces, like doorknobs.
• If you touch surfaces that can
be contaminated, or are close to
someone who has coughed or
sneezed, and then you touch your
nose or your mouth, you're ultimately
bringing that virus closer in
contact with the parts of your body
that can get infected. It doesn't
infect you through your skin or
GI system – it infects you through
your respiratory tract!
• Droplets landing on surfaces
are infectious for up to 4-5 days or
more depending on the surface.
Six feet or less appears to be the
distance the virus could travel.
• Covid virus life span varies
depending on the type of surface,
temperature and/or humidity.
Bathrooms are a welcoming environment
for coronaviruses.
TO AVOID INFECTION:
One of the most important steps
to preventing the spread of viral
and bacterial infections is also the
simplest: Wash your hands the
right way!
• WASH YOUR HANDS often
with soap and water for at least 20
seconds, especially after going to
the bathroom, before eating, after
blowing your nose, coughing, or
sneezing.
• Plain soap is best. Though
soap may not destroy viruses, it
plays a big role in dislodging them
from skin.
• If soap and water are not readily
available, use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer containing at least
60% alcohol.
• Keep a hand sanitizer in your
car, purse to use when pumping
gas, using shopping carts, etc.
• Remember, you’re not only
protecting yourself but also trying
to protect others.
• Don’t believe all the ads from
companies about the effectiveness
of their products. Most is hype or
scams
•Stay home. Only leave your
home for essential tasks, such as
work (if you cannot work from
home), getting groceries and supplies
or essential medical care. Use
delivery services when possible
• Self Monitor - check yourself
for fever and remain alert for
cough, shortness of breath or sore
throat.
SOCIAL DISTANCING!
Social distancing, i.e., not congregating
in groups and staying at
least 6 feet away from the nearest
person, is a key tactic in stemming
the spread of the virus, and NYC
has instituted this rule. Why is this
so important?
The virus is extremely contagious
and the latest evidence is that it
appears in clusters, such as families
and co-workers. With a population
of approximately 2,500 people,
NST could also be considered a
cluster. Just a few careless folks
could potentially cause serious
problems that could easily spread.
So please, heed the social distancing
directive.
OTHER PROTECTION:
The CDC and other reliable
sources also recommend the same
preventative actions one should
follow during flu season:
• All 50 States now have cases.
• Self-quarantine (stay at home)
if you do get sick.
• Avoid touching your face,
especially your eyes, nose, and
mouth.
• Use your knuckles instead
of hand when you can (elevator
button, closing a door)
• Cover your cough or sneeze
with your hand, arm or tissue
(then throw the tissue in the trash
and wash up).
• No handshaking – use fist or
elbow bump
• Clean and disinfect touched
objects and surfaces using a regular
household cleaning spray or
wipe.
WHAT ABOUT MASKS?
The Surgeon General and the
CDC say they won't protect from
coronavirus.
• Most face masks, including
loose-fitting surgical masks, are not
effective at protecting individuals
from respiratory diseases.
• The virus itself is so small that it
can penetrate the mask so it literally
does nothing for you.
• Special facemasks should only
be used by health care workers
and people who show symptoms
of COVID-19 to help prevent the
spread of the disease to others.
CURRENT TREATMENT:
• There are dozens of vaccines in
the pipeline to prevent Covid-19.
All around the world research for a
vaccine has become a priority.
• Trials on humans has begun
• Won’t be available right away
– must be tested for safety.
• Research is also underway to
treat people who have contracted
Covid-19. There is not yet an
approved antiviral drug for the
virus, several are being tested.
• Right now doctors can recommend
only the usual remedies for
any viral illness: rest, medicine to
reduce pain and fever, and fluids to
avoid dehydration.
•The U.S. has ramped up its diagnostic
efforts, which will undoubtedly
reveal more cases.
• As of March 21, NYC reported
they don’t have enough tests to do
massive testing. Recommending
that only people with symptoms
be tested.
• Drive in testing is becoming
available now for those for whom
a test has been recommended.
• According to Johns Hopkins
University, it’s important to
remember that thousands of people
around the world have already
recovered from the disease, many
never knowing they had it.
PREPARE…DON’T PANIC!
We should prepare, not just
because we may feel personally at
risk, but so that we can help lessen
the risk for everyone. We should
prepare not because we are facing
a doomsday scenario out of our
control, but because we can alter
every aspect of this risk to society.
Above all, don’t panic. Don’t
let fear and emotion drive the
response to this virus. Infection is
by no means a death sentence, and
should not be treated as one.
April 2020 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 7
/www.cdc
/doh
/coronavirus.health
/www.cdc
/doh
/coronavirus.health
/home
