No, it's not this....
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| Americans are avoiding Corona beer amid coronavirus outbreak, survey finds. |
It's this:
This coronavirus is a novel respiratory virus spreading rapidly around the world. It's a great concern to people all over our whole planet. It has spread to every continent except Antarctica.
Part of the reason I write this blog is to digest information for myself; I learn as I write. You, my dear readers, get to come along with me. Join me as I divert a bit from politics for a Q & A on this important topic.
THE SHORT VERSION
CORONAVIRUS IS A NEW, POTENTIALLY DEADLY VIRUS for which no human has immunity.
WASH YOUR HANDS. Thoroughly and often.
DON'T PANIC. Prepare as if you were going to have to spend a couple weeks sick at home.
STAY HOME IF YOU'RE SICK! Most coronavirus infections are mild, but a subset of people will get very sick. STAY HOME even if you feel mildly sick.
STAY AWAY FROM SICK PEOPLE. Stay at least six feet away from anyone who appears to be sick.
THE LONGER VERSION
What is the coronavirus? This coronavirus is a new virus that emerged in China late last year. Coronavirus is the name for a group of respiratory viruses, many of which cause the common cold. This novel coronavirus is named COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease - 2019). This is a new disease not previously seen in humans, and is believed to have been passed to humans from animals. Now, it is spreading human-to-human.
As of this morning, there have been three cases in the U.S. (in northern California, Oregon, and Washington) that have contracted the virus through community exposure. This is concerning, as before this week all other cases were traced back to travel in China.
How is this coronavirus different? As it is an animal-to-human virus, no human has an immunity to it. And this virus has properties which make it both mild and severe. While 80% of cases exhibit mild symptoms, like a cold, and fully recover, the virus can also lead to pneumonia or other severe complications, and the death rate is about 2%. Compare this to the death rate of influenza, which is 0.1%.
Are we all going to die? NO! About 80% of cases have mild symptoms, while about 13.8% of patients experience severe illness, with shortness of breath, or requiring supplemental oxygen. About 4.7% experience critical illness, meaning they face respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, or septic shock. So far, it looks like about 2.3% of people infected with COVID-19 die from the virus.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19 infection? Initial symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath. Respiratory symptoms can worsen and develop into pneumonia or respiratory failure. Some infected people show no symptoms at all.
What are the traits of this virus? Incubation is between 2-14 days, it is believed. It is unknown how long the virus can live on surfaces. It appears that children are less susceptible to the virus, or at least they show fewer or no symptoms if infected. There have been reports of re-infection or a latency of expression of symptoms with this virus.
What should I do if I feel sick? Stay home! Stay away from other people, as well as pets (though unlikely to spread to animals, we just don't know enough about this virus to know if it can be transmitted to other species). Wear a mask if you come into contact with others (the CDC does not recommend wearing a mask if you are well. We need to conserve resources, and it gives a false sense of security). Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Throw tissues away in a lined can, and immediately wash your hands. Don't share eating utensils or other personal items; sanitize items touched frequently, such as doorknobs, handles, remote controls, computers, phones. If you feel sick enough to get medical treatment, call ahead before seeking medical assistance and let them know you may have COVID-19.
How can I prevent becoming infected? How can I prevent others from getting sick? Use the same common-sense ways you avoid getting sick at other times:
- WASH YOUR HANDS. The CDC recommends the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth.
- STAY HOME if you are sick. Even if you display mild symptoms, STAY HOME!
- Monitor your symptoms. If you feel worse or your fever becomes elevated, call ahead to your medical provider and wear a mask (N-95 is best) to get medical treatment.
- The CDC does not recommend that well people wear masks to prevent getting sick. They do recommend a mask if you are infected or taking care of someone who is infected.
Is there any treatment? What about a vaccine? There is no direct treatment or cure. Like a cold or the flu, treatment consists of rest and fluids for mild cases. If the disease becomes severe, hospitalization may be necessary to support body systems. The virus is too new to have a vaccine. Though scientists are working on it, an effective vaccine is about 12-18 months away.
How should I prepare? Stock up on prescription medications, fever reducers, nonperishable foods, and comfort foods for if you feel sick, as well as things like toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste. Be prepared to stay home for about two weeks if you get sick. Buy some alcohol wipes and sanitizing wipes for household surfaces. Have plenty of soap and hand sanitizer at home. Pick up a six-pack of Corona beer (hey, the company is hurting!).
What are the health dangers? As stated above, because 20% of cases can lead to severe complications requiring hospitalization and 2% of cases leading to death, we face a frightening scenario.
What are the social dangers? We all will need to be very aware and cautious in our social interactions. Be prepared to curtail your social interactions if there is an outbreak in your community. One way to prevent the spread of the disease is through social distancing. Social distancing is, quite simply put, staying home and minimizing social contact. Stay away from congregate activities; maximize the outings you do have, for example, buy larger quantities when you shop or shop for your neighbor as well; eat at home; work from home; limit travel on public transportation; maintain a distance of 6 feet from others. We introverts will feel quite comfortable giving in to our base instincts and cocooning at home a bit more!
People or communities may have to be quarantined; schools may close; businesses may shutter; healthcare systems may be overloaded.
What are the economic dangers? Fear of the unknown is causing jittery stocks. We've already seen worldwide stock markets tank this week on the fear of future economic repercussions. A larger economic slowdown is likely. Our healthcare system may become overburdened. Borders may be shut (some already have), with tourism and trade interrupted. There may be severe economic repercussions, with the drastic slow-down of commerce.
Should I worry about items packed and shipped from China? Experts do not know yet how long this virus lives on surfaces. In general, coronaviruses can live up to nine days on surfaces in ideal conditions. The official word from the CDC is "there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods, and there have not been any cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods."
Should I shun all people of Chinese descent? NO! Please please please don't let this turn into a racial thing! The disease originated in China, but there is nothing special about China or Chinese people with regard to this disease. Unfortunately, the disease has spread rapidly not only in China, but also in South Korea, Italy, and Iran. We must not fall into the trap of letting this cast a bias against any of our fellow Earth travelers.
What about this "it will be gone when it gets warm in April" that I heard about from the "president"? Remember, the man who promoted this theory is an idiot and self-serving. We do not know enough to know if warmer temperatures will change the disease's transmission. We just don't know, and we must be prepared for a change in the weather to have no impact. Stay alert, stay informed, stay prepared.
How can I learn more? Here is a fact sheet from the CDC. It's chock-full of information. And here are some myth-busters. If you prefer myth-busting in video form, check out the video below.
What has the U.S. Government response been? Oh ho! You know I'd go there! Short answer: It's been ugly. Chaotic. And political.
Just as a taster, here is a recent quote from 45, the supposed leader of the free world, during a press conference addressing the epidemic.
The president* has been all over the place. True to form, he is playing the blame game, and mostly concerned about the stock market drop, blaming – who else – Democrats and the media. And of course, he has manufactured conspiracy theories about the outbreak, calling on his base to consider the whole epidemic a hoax. It's just gross. Not only gross, this rehtoric is extremely dangerous. As much as I dislike his base, I do not want them to come to harm! A worldwide pandemic is not a deep state conspiracy. Take your paranoid delusions, sir, and fuck right off.
Last week, as the situation was developing rapidly, 45 went against CDC recommendations for repatriating infected Americans, and then became angry with the CDC leadership for allowing them to fly into the United States. When Americans were brought home, healthcare workers from Health and Human Services were ill equipped, both in training and in equipment, to safely respond to the health crisis. Gah!
The impotent response has been laid bare by 45's 2018 firing of the CDC's pandemic response team. And in fact, there are currently 700 vacancies at the CDC.
The CDC is doing a good job with what it has. Here is what the U.S's response has been. The CDC is educating the public and healthcare workers, performing screenings on travelers, and managing the risk of infection. Unfortunately, with the lack of high-level experts in pandemics, the U.S. may fall way behind in its response
IMPOTUS has named V.P. Mike Pence to head up the official response. This, a man who gravely endangered public health by allowing an HIV outbreak to run rampant in Indiana while he was governor. This, a man who has a distinct distaste for science.
Let Seth Meyers break it all down for you.
This week, Congress allocated a paltry couple billion dollars for the response, at 45's request. He intends half of the money to be diverted from other programs, including a good chunk originally destined for ebola response. Ebola isn't going away. What is his reasoning? Oh, that's right. The man don't reason.
We may witness the biggest test yet of our broken healthcare system, when people who cannot afford heath insurance delay treatment, and go to work sick because they can't afford to stay home. This is a perfect storm that may affect us in ways yet unimagined.
Stay safe out there, Resisters.
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