How to Prepare for Coronavirus Without Panic

To date, COVID-19 has spread to 34 countries . Although the disease is still rare outside of China, with only a handful of cases in the US, it is reasonable to expect the disease to spread even more before it can be localized. This does not mean that we need to panic for now (or ever), but we need to be prepared for this.

Seriously, don’t panic

Despite the fact that the disease has spread to many countries, the vast majority of cases remain in China: according to the latest figures, 77,780 out of 80,239 in the world. We’re not looking for a pandemic-style Infection , but definitely not, and probably never.

The WHO Director, at a recent briefing, said the pandemic must be widespread, serious and have serious consequences for society as a whole. This does not describe what we see so far.

The whole reason that governments and health services are responding so urgently is because they are trying to prevent this from happening . So far, it seems to be working: the incidence in China is already slowing down, and many people who were seriously ill have recovered.

Bookmark trusted sources of information

There is a lot of misinformation about the coronavirus, and scams and myths are on the rise. Bookmark a few sources that you can check as the situation develops:

• World Health Organization COVID-19 Page
• CDC COVID-19 page with information for the United States (including warnings for travelers)
• Your local (city, county and / or state) health department

These local pages will be especially important if the virus gets to where you are. They will provide information and guidance specific to your region, most likely including updated information on how many people are affected.

Know the facts about the virus

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the flu, although Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said in an interview today that a runny nose and sneezing are not part of the typical picture of the disease. Instead, people are more likely to have a dry cough and may develop shortness of breath. Other symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and general unwell.

She stressed that if you have shortness of breath or chest pain, it is important to seek medical attention because this could indicate a more severe case of illness. These are serious symptoms, even if it turns out that the cause is not the coronavirus, so do not discount them.

So far, it has been found that 80% of people infected with the virus have a mild illness, but more severe cases can be serious and even fatal. People who are more likely to develop severe cases include people over the age of 60 or people with underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease or chronic respiratory disease.

At the time I write this, there is no vaccine for the virus and no cure for the disease, although experimental vaccines and treatments are currently being tested. It will take days to find out if you have the virus to get results, although the CDC is working to make rapid tests available. We learn more about the virus every day, so check these WHO and CDC websites from time to time for updates.

Focus on effective prevention

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread by airborne droplets. This means that when an infected person coughs or breathes, the virus may be in the droplets of saliva or other fluids they throw into the air. (Ugh.)

But this is actually good news, because the droplets are too heavy to hang in the air. They fall to the ground before traveling more than a few feet. Therefore, even if someone is sick, if you stay three to six feet away from him, you are not in great danger. It also means that the disease is not airborne, so you have nothing to worry about from ventilation systems or being in the same room as a sick person. You have to be careful about touching surfaces where these droplets can be settled, which is why hand washing is so important.

You know the basics of how to avoid airborne diseases (including colds and flu), but let’s review them anyway:

• Wash your hands often, including before eating and before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Practice “respiratory etiquette” by coughing or sneezing into your elbow or tissue (which you throw away correctly), not into your hands.
• Stay home if you get sick and avoid close contact with people who seem sick.
• Disinfect any surface that bothers you. Bleach and other disinfectants that kill other coronaviruses are likely to work here.

The mask will not help very much (if at all helps ) and leave a better mask medical workers who need them more than you. But if you do wear a mask – for example, if you yourself get sick – make sure you use it correctly .

Again, follow these trusted sources for the best security practices as we learn more about the virus.

Think about how you can deal with the problems in your life.

If the situation in your area becomes serious, “social distancing” techniques may be used to prevent people from getting together and sharing germs. This means schools could close, for example, as they did in parts of the United States in 2009, when the H1N1 flu spread. In China, some Lunar New Year celebrations have been canceled as the coronavirus began to spread. It is possible that similar closings and cancellations may occur here.

Employers can also be encouraged to expand their sick leave policies and allow employees to work from home. If you hire people or have some kind of influence in the workplace, it may not be too early to start thinking about these policies.

In the event of a severe outbreak, healthcare facilities can be overwhelmed with patients with coronavirus or symptoms. There is already a shortage of personal protective equipment, such as masks. If you often need medical attention, it may be worth talking to your providers about how to plan for it, such as whether they recommend having additional medications or supplies on hand.

Refresh your stocks of household essentials

A full-fledged post-apocalyptic scenario is extremely unlikely, but it is always good to be prepared for minor disruptions in life for any reason. If plans are canceled or you need to stay home because you are sick yourself, you will be glad you have supplies such as bottled water and non-perishable food. Your home emergency kit will also come in handy during winter storms, natural disasters, power outages and other unusual situations.

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