Novel Coronavirus - What's Really Happening?

For the past few weeks, all around the world, people have been breaking into anxious sweats regarding the new Novel Coronavirus. There has been a great deal of media coverage around it, however not all of what is found on social media and on the internet is true. It’s time to break down the known facts to be able to be aware but not anxious about the outbreak. The first thing to know is that there are actually many kinds of coronavirus, many of which are actually quite common. There are 4 common kinds of human Coronaviruses that are responsible for diseases as simple as the common cold. There are then 3 other Coronaviruses that are a bit more dangerous; one would be MERS (Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome), and the other is SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). Both of these strains had an outbreak in the 2010s. This leads us to the current strain of the coronavirus, the novel Coronavirus. So far, there is very little information known on this virus, but there is progress every day. Currently, officials have identified a likely source of the virus as bats and other similar animals. The spread of this disease, especially in China, is mainly person to person contact and is the main cause of the spread of the disease into other countries such as the United States. Some of the most common symptoms of the novel Coronavirus are “mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). The CDC also has more information for people who have come in close contact with a person confirmed to have the virus. While many people have turned to face masks as a form of prevention against the Coronavirus, the CDC does not recommend doing so as there has been a limited spread of the disease in the United States. There have currently only been eleven confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the United States and none of the patients have died. The epidemic is mainly centered in Wuhan, China, however, the World Health Organization (WHO) has deemed the matter an international crisis only due to the fact that the disease is spreading to other parts of the world and there must be more precautions taken. However, despite this declaration, there is no need to unnecessarily panic. Currently, there have been no cases in children and it seems unlikely that this will change. Similarly, it can be helpful to keep in mind that the flu has been the cause of death of between 12,000 - 61,000 patients every year. The CDC has also announced a few different ways to help protect oneself from the virus; washing hands frequently with soap and water for about 20 seconds; using alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoiding touching the nose, eyes, and mouth with unwashed hands; staying home when sick; covering sneezes and coughs with a tissue or elbow, and constantly disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces. Coronavirus has caused much panic throughout the world. However, there is not enough information regarding the virus to worry too much. Officials are making fast progress, and as of now, it is best to be safe and practice good prevention protocols instead of being anxious. Remember, aware not anxious! Sources:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html#anchor_1580079137454https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-new-coronavirus-what-we-do-and-dont-know-2020012518747