The Coronavirus
A discussion of the Coronavirus and the best way to prevent the virus in a time where the whole universe seems concerned about the dangers of this virus.
Since the discovery of
the novel Coronavirus in Wuhan, a city in the Hubei province of China in 2019,
the whole world has been finding ways to deal with the deadly virus. As the
number of confirmed cases in countries around the globe continues to rise, scientists
are doing their level best to understand Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and try to find
new ways to prevent the virus or find a cure. With the number of confirmed
global cases exceeding the 200,000 mark, this pandemic seems to be the most
dangerous virus of the century. Even though China appears to have managed to
control the infection, cases in most western and African countries seem to be
tripling every week. Statistics now indicate that the respiratory illness may
have similar or worse impacts than the Spanish flu of 1918-1919 and, therefore,
the need to act very fast.
But what is the
Coronavirus, and how dangerous is it?
Just like the SARS virus
that was responsible for outbreaks of severe diseases in 2003, the Covid-19
virus is transmitted very fast between humans. It is revealed that the disease
spreads at an exponential rate and that each COvid-19 case infects 2.5 other
individuals in case no action is taken to keep people apart (social
distancing). The virus that spreads through person-to-person contact or
respiratory droplets causes severe respiratory illness in approximately 20% of
patients. It can spread between individuals that are in close proximity to each
other or through respiratory droplets that are produced when a person with the
virus coughs or sneezes. The droplets can land into openings of nearby
individuals, especially the nose or mouth, and be inhaled into the lungs. It is
also possible for individuals to contract the virus when they touch surfaces
that have been compromised and later touch their face. The reason that the
virus has spread so fast across the globe is the fact that people with the
illness have been in contact with others, and the rate of transmission is very
high at the incubation period.
This deadly virus causes
respiratory conditions that are so severe that it has managed to kill about 3%
of the confirmed cases. Elderly persons who have weak immune systems and those
with underlying health conditions have been found to be more vulnerable to the
virus. Depending on the medical care given to patients, it is, however,
challenging to establish fatality rates at the early stages of the pandemic.
The fastest way to catch the virus has been confirmed as close contact with an
individual, shedding significant amounts of the virus. It has, however, been
discovered that the Covid-19 has been hugely transmitted by individuals showing
no symptoms of the virus, unlike in most cases where the transmitters always
display evident signs of disease. Despite the fact that most respiratory infections
are usually transmitted through the air by respiratory droplets, it is possible
for close contact to cause transmission of the virus.
So, what are some of the ways to prevent the Covid-19?
So far, the cause of the
virus and some of the respiratory effects have been established through close
examination of the infected persons. Scientists have also tried to find some of
the possible ways that the virus is transmitted although they are yet to find a
cure or even a vaccine. Since it has been established that the virus mainly
spreads through respiratory droplets like the ones produced through sneezing
and coughing, or when someone sneezes into their hands and touches a surface,
it is important to try and takes some measures that reduce exposure. At this
stage, it is easier to control the virus through prevention. Discussed below
are some of the measures that individuals and communities all over the world
can take in a bid to prevent the Covid-19.
- Ensure that your hands
are Proper clean handwashing has
been established as the most important preventative measure for the
Coronavirus. Even though most people wash their hands on a daily basis, it
seems that fewer people do it in the recommended way. Good personal hygiene has
always been a good way to prevent any respiratory illness and also applies to
Covid-19. When you perfectly wash your hands, using soap and water and rubbing
properly for at least 20 seconds is still considered as the best way to prevent
any respiratory disease. When soap and water are not readily available, you can
use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to clean your hands. In most cases, people
touch surfaces that have been in contact with the virus and unknowingly touch
their faces. Washing your hands and keeping them clean ensures that the virus
is destroyed and when you touch your face, the chances of the virus getting
into your lungs through inhaling are very limited.
- Staying at home
All over the world,
people are being advised to stay at home. Currently, in some countries, there
is a total lockdown and people are not supposed to be on the streets or even in
public places without a good reason. Although such measures seem to be
draconian in nature, this has been established as a good way to slow down or
even prevent the spread of the virus. Many private and public schools have been
shut down, and gatherings with more than 15 individuals have been highly
discouraged. Although most people are not able to work from home, many
workplaces and public offices have been closed. Although it is not possible to
completely restrict movement because people need to buy groceries and other
essential commodities, everyone has been advised to stay at home in order to
flatten the curve. In order to prevent this virus, it is important to obey the
guidelines that have been established and even adhere to government curfews to
avoid trouble with the law and also to avoid coming into contact with infected
individuals.
- Obeying the
protective measures
Many countries all over
the world have come up with and implemented their individual protective
measures and couple them with the World Health Organizations guidelines to slow
down the spread of Covid-19. Most of the usual activities that involve large
groups of people and congregations have been suspended. Social places like bars
and restaurants have limited operating hours or have been shut down completely.
Governments have taken some relevant measures to ensure that their populations
are protected and have even used the police and army to control people in cases
where it has been deemed necessary. To prevent the Coronavirus, it is important
that you adhere to and obey all the local and public health guidelines since.
- Avoid travelling to
places with reported cases
Although most
governments have put measures in place to prohibit travel to places with the
virus, each one of us needs to understand the danger of such an act. When you
travel to a place or country with many reported cases of Covid-19, you risk
contracting the virus and spreading it to your home and community. It is
therefore important to ensure that you avoid all unnecessary journeys and stay
safe within your home. In case you have been to or passed through a country
that had cases of the virus, it is important to protect yourself and others by
testing for the virus or staying away from other people for at least 14-21 days
to ensure that you do not have symptoms of the virus. The best preventative
measure is caring for yourself and the wellbeing of others and ensuring that
you do not unknowingly promote the transmission of the virus.
- Ensure that your
immune system is okay
For your body to be able
to fight off the disease, it is important that you ensure that you maintain a
robust immune system. You should take all relevant measures to ensure that your
immune system is in tip-top condition. To do this, individuals need to put off
some bad health habits like smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol. You
also need to eat healthy foods and those that help build your immune systems.
In case you have any underlying health conditions, it is important that you
seek expert medical advice and find ways to ensure that you are not at risk. It
is also important to take good quantities of water and avoid processed foods
that may compromise your health. It is imperative to establish a good diet and
ensure that you stock up on any medicines that you may need during this period.
- Stay Informed
Information is a
powerful tool in case of such a pandemic. When you are well-informed about the
virus and the progress that has been made, it is easier for you to prevent
yourself and the family from contracting the virus. You will be able to
understand some of the things that you should or should not do and therefore
reduce your risk of exposure. Information is key, and when you remain ignorant,
you expose yourself and your family. Ensure that you follow all the guidelines
that are given by the relevant authorities as well as the World Health
Organization. Ensure that you stay up-to-date on any new developments and read
and research extensively. Since there is a lot of information flying around
about the virus, ensure that you are able to distinguish between legitimate
sources of information and the fake ones. Some of the information may cause you
to panic, which is not advisable during a pandemic.
- Get all relevant
shots and ensure that your family is also vaccinated
The Covid-19 virus
exhibits symptoms that are almost similar to those of influenza or the common
cold. To avoid confusion, it is important to ensure that you take all relevant
measures to ensure that you do not contract the common cold since you may think
that you have contracted the virus. Ensure that you and your family have taken
any shots or medication to prevent either of the diseases. Avoid rushing to the
hospital since you may infect others or get infected on your way there. Most
communities and relevant officials have acquired an emergency number that you
can use in case you suspect that you have the virus.
The novel Coronavirus is
wreaked havoc all over the world, and it seems that things have been on a
standstill since the discovery of the virus in late 2019. Despite the endless
efforts of scientists and other authorities to come up with a vaccine, we are
yet to get a solution. Many measures have been put in place to reduce and
prevent the infection rate all over the world. It is crucial to take the given
preventative measures in order to protect yourself and our families.