A lot of horrible rumors and outright misinformation are floating around regarding the Novel Coronavirus. Here’s what you need to know to be completely and honestly informed.
Health
Regrettably, Donald Trump has an unfortunate habit of describing stories he doesn’t like as “hoaxes.” So, it should come as no surprise that he appeared at a South Carolina rally and accused Democrats of “politicizing” the virus while claiming that the outbreak is “their new hoax” and that “like a miracle, it will disappear,” in his original attempts to downplay the risk in the US.
“We never even heard of a coronavirus until just now, with the election 10 month away. Clearly it’s just another hoax by the Democrats to make Trump’s approval rating go down. And it ain’t gonna work.” – Trump supporter
Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh claimed, “The coronavirus outbreak is being weaponized by the media to bring down Donald Trump when in fact it is simply a version of the common cold.”
Even Donald Trump, Jr., got in on the act and claimed Democrats hope the virus “kills millions.”
Folks, all of this information is FALSE!
The coronavirus — which is also referred to as COVID-19 and includes SARS and MERS — is very deadly and very real, with a current death toll at more than 3,000 globally. In fact, officials are already saying this current virus could become more powerful than the deadly Spanish Flu of 1918 which was the most severe pandemic in recent history.
So, what do we need to know and how do we protect ourselves going forward?
According to Dr. James Robb, a former professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego and one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses during the 1970s, the virus could get much worse before it gets any better.
Here are his suggestions:
1) NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.
2) Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches. elevator buttons, etc. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove.
3) Open doors with your closed fist or hip – do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.
4) Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.
5) Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been.
6) Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home’s entrances. AND in your car or in your bag for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can’t immediately wash your hands.
7) If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!
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Dr. Robb also suggests that we stock up on latex or nitrile disposable gloves to use when shopping, using the gasoline pump, riding public transportation, and all other outside activity. Taking off our outside clothes before sitting on our bed or sofa (and allowing our face to come in contact with anything viral) is also a smart idea.
Additionally, Donald G. McNeil Jr., a science and health reporter for The New York Times, is warning Americans to prepare for the worse. He suggests we seriously consider how our lives would be affected if we all had to stay home for a month, or not take public transportation to work, or not go to public venues. Would we have enough food and water and medicine to survive a long national quarantine?
Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for the coronavirus. Further, current antibiotics are considered ineffective. Our best line of defense is to do all of the everyday things within our power to avoid getting the virus at all.
In short, it’s up to us!
Thanks DJ. Suggestions 1-4 will be a bit of a challenge for me but I’ll certainly keep them in mind.
Suggestions 5-7 are much easier for me especially since I already do those things anyway.
Frankly, I think your closing comment sums it up correctly:
[Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for the coronavirus. Further, current antibiotics are considered ineffective. Our best line of defense is to do all of the everyday things within our power to avoid getting the virus at all.
In short, it’s up to us! ]