Things You Should Know about CoVid-19

Coronavirus or Covid 19 or NCov-19 is a flu-like disease.

It is known to have started at a seafood market in Wuhan providing in China. Affecting thousands and killing over 2700 people and still ticking. This disease is found to have spiraled and only has spread rapidly outside China.

Infections have been reported in Italy, Iran and South Korea and in very less time, all the continents, except Antarctica are suffering from it. Many countries including the United States of America have imposed travel restrictions to curb its further spread. The World Health Organization has declared it to be a worldwide public health emergency. Travelers going back to their respective countries are being quarantined on arrival for 14 days to prevent further outbreak.

Knowing about the virus in detail can help you and your family to stay protected.

What is Covid 19?

It belongs to a large virus family, causing illnesses like SARS, common cold and MERS.

Symptoms experienced

Symptoms of CoVid-19 are similar to flu. After infection, the duration for symptoms to appear is still unknown. WHO suggests it to appear about 2 to 10 days. Some infected are found to not show any unwell feeling or any kind of symptoms. The symptoms generally include the following:

• Sore throat
• Runny nose &/or nasal congestion
• Pains & aches
• Tiredness
• Dry coughing
• Fever

Who might get infected?

From this virus, children are suggested to be safe. The majority infected still now are adults and patients less than 20 years age comprised just 2.1%. Illness is found to be more severe among people of 60 years & above, including those suffering from pre-existing medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and asthma, etc.

How this virus spreads?

It is similar to flu and is contagious, which means the infected person spreads it to others by droplets. Spreading of droplet-spread disease is carried out by close personal contact, sneezing, and coughing. This disease may also be contracted if you touch any surface or object having viral particles and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

How to avoid spreading & catching CoVid-19?

If feeling sick, avoid going to work. Employers also should try to decentralize work, allowing employees to work from their respective homes. Doing so will help you and your employer/employees to avoid the crowd at public transport and at the office and be safe. Also, workplace productivity will not be affected much. You can also review your sick day policy or paid time off to stay safe and avoid contracting anyone infected with this virus.

Wash your hands at regular intervals and do not miss out on this safety aspect.

Since the CoVid-19 spread similar to common flu, you need to undertake the same precautions like that of when you suffer from ordinary virus or flu. Try not to touch your mouth or nose with your bare hands. If you feel like coughing or sneezing, use clean, disposable napkin or cloth for the purpose. Avoid those people who are suffering from viral and flu-like symptoms to be on the safe side. Do not share your utensils or other things of daily use with such infected people.

Avoid wearing a mask unless you display flu symptoms, going out in a crowd or health care worker. Being healthy, using a mask is not likely to help much in many situations as you will require a new one every time you venture out. The panic caused CoVid-19 has made people go on a shopping spree, thus creating an unwanted situation of shortage of masks in the market. The healthcare professionals do require the most as they are the ones working closely with the infected people.

But if you sneeze or cough, then wearing a mask is likely to help you to prevent sharing this infection with others.

If your company deals in product components or products manufactured in the affected regions. Then it will be a smart decision to stockpile some than what is normally required. This is more so, if the widespread disruption is noticed in manufacturing with further spreading and continuing of this disease. Similarly at home, you can have extra supplies of goods so that you do not have to go out frequently.

Following these activities will help you & your family to avoid contracting CoVid-19.

Also do avoid heavy traffic areas, public transport and visiting other places where this disease has been reported to have affected people. Even schools have been voluntarily or as per government directions have declared extended holidays to ensure children are safe.

Should face mask be used?

Its effectiveness is still doubted by virologists. Evidence does suggest that its usage helps avoid hand to mouth transmissions.

Image by rottonara from Pixabay