If you don’t know about Coronavirus (COVID-19), you’re probably not reading this because you’re probably living under a rock. Then again, if everything we are seeing on social media and in the news is true, you are probably safer living under a rock. Virtually the entire world has been impacted by this situation. Major events are being cancelled, the stock market has taken a hit and everybody is working on contingency plans in case things get worse. It even led to Apple issuing new gadget-cleaning guidelines to help people effectively clean their phones. (Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are the way to go). In this post, we’ll cover the information that you need to know about the virus and what you should be doing to protect yourself and your family.
What Is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus disease is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The risk of infection is much greater for people who are in close contact with someone who has already been infected and those living in areas with an ongoing spread of the virus. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
The World Health Organization announced the official name for this disease last month. The name is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.
Where Is Coronavirus Happening?
The illness has spread to many countries all over the world — including the United States. The first case in the U.S. was reported on January 21, 2020. As of March 9, 2020 there are 423 reported cases in the U.S. with a total of 35 states reporting at least 1 case.
What About Idaho?
According to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention and https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/ Idaho has no confirmed cases of COVID-19. A total of 41 people have been monitored by Idaho Public Health with just 10 of them still being monitored. The risk of getting the virus in Idaho is considered to be low at this time and Idaho Public Health officials are monitoring the situation very closely. Officials are working with CDC and other states and are also in regular communication with Idaho public health districts and healthcare providers around the state.
How Does It Spread?
At this time the most common way it is spreading is from person-to-person when people are in close contact with each other. This typically happens when someone coughs or sneezes and respiratory droplets are produced. It is also possible that someone could be infected by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
What Are The Symptoms?
People who have COVID-19 can show the following symptoms with their respiratory illness.- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Protection Against COVID-19
Just because the risk is low here in Idaho, doesn’t mean that it is not important to follow protection guidelines. You can protect yourself and your family with some everyday preventive actions.- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- NOTE — “The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings.”
What If I Am Sick?
When you are sick, it is vital that you take extra precaution to prevent spreading respiratory illness to others. You should do the following.- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Is There A Vaccine?
At this time there is no vaccine for COVID-19. The best course of action is to follow the everyday preventative measures — avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick and effectively washing your hands frequently. Of course, these are good ideas to follow and teach your kids all the time — not just in a case like Coronavirus.
There is also no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. If someone has COVID-19, they should seek medical care as soon as possible to help relieve their symptoms.
When To Call A Medical Provider
- If you have been in an area showing signs of being affected and possible community spreading (community spread refers to people being infected with the virus in a specific area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected) within the past 14 days and
- You are concerned that you may have been exposed and
- You have symptoms of a fever or cough
Just 4 Kids Urgent Care
We hope this will help you understand the Coronavirus better and the preventative measures to take. As always, please give us a call or come and see us if you have any questions about how to keep your kids healthy when it comes to this issue or anything else.