The Coronavirus Pandemic: Fact, Fiction And Common Sense

When I am presented with an issue or a problem, I automatically go into critical thinking mode. In my mind I identify the problem and think of all the possible solutions. If it is a social problem that is in process, I immediately implement de-escalation procedures; including removing myself from the situation. If it is something I am aware of that is a potential problem or danger, I implement or practice preventative measures; including not putting myself in a situation that is personally harmful. If it is something that has already occurred, I think of all possible solutions and go into action to attempt to solve the problem.

Currently there is a major concern about the health crisis evolving worldwide with respect to the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) that originated, according to authorities, in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, but is being contracted by people in other parts of the world outside of the identified origin. Remember that information is key. Gathering the information from credible sources is the appropriate thing to do as misinformation propagated only creates panic, chaos and other unnecessary problems.

While most cases of COVID-19 present with mild or moderate symptoms, some people (e.g., the immunocompromised, pregnant women, children, the elderly, those with underlying health conditions) are particularly more vulnerable to developing serious illness from COVID-19.

Don’t panic but rather use common sense. Panic creates hysteria that causes other problems such as depleting the stores of necessary supplies, overburdening our emergency response and healthcare systems, crippling the economy, etc.

However, please be aware that according to the CDC, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and no medications approved to treat it at this time.

Therefore, officials are recommending that the public frequently wash their hands, opt for verbal salutations instead of those with personal contact (i.e., hugs, high fives and handshakes) and to try to maintain a distance of six (6) feet from strangers. I have ALWAYS practiced the foregoing and people have always laughed at me and mislabeled me a “germophobe” when in reality I was just protecting my health. Those people are no longer laughing! If you don't need to travel as a necessity right now such as a requisite business trip, don't travel. If and when possible, avoid areas where there are large groups of people for now. This is all just common sense.

Below is an excerpt of information I gathered from the official source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) updated as of March 3, 2020. It is neither a full nor comprehensive statement from the CDC about the virus but rather information I have pulled which I consider to be important.

BACKGROUND

CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in almost 70 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “corona virus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern external icon” (PHEIC). On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19.

SOURCE AND SPREAD OF THE VIRUS

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2).

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV.  All three of these viruses have their origins in bats. The sequences from U.S. patients are similar to the one that China initially posted, suggesting a likely single, recent emergence of this virus from an animal reservoir.

Early on, many of the patients at the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China had some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. Later, a growing number of patients reportedly did not have exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread. Person-to-person spread was subsequently reported outside Hubei and in countries outside China, including in the United States. Some international destinations now have apparent community spread with the virus that causes COVID-19, including in some parts of the United States. Community spread means some people have been infected and it is not known how or where they became exposed. Learn what is known about the spread of this newly emerged coronaviruses.

SITUATION IN U.S.

• Imported cases of COVID-19 in travelers have been detected in the U.S.
• Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 was first reported among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan.
• During the week of February 23, CDC reported community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 in California (in two places), Oregon and Washington. Community spread in Washington resulted in the first death in the United States from COVID-19, as well as the first reported case of COVID-19 in a health care worker, and the first potential outbreak in a long-term care facility. 

ILLNESS SEVERITY

Both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV have been known to cause severe illness in people. The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully understood. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death. While information so far suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild, a reportexternal icon out of China suggests serious illness occurs in 16% of cases. Older people and people with certain underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example, seem to be at greater risk of serious illness. There are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available. 

CDC RESPONSE

 

Global efforts at this time are focused concurrently on containing the spread and mitigating the impact of this virus. The federal government is working closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this public health threat. The public health response is multi-layered, with the goal of detecting and minimizing introductions of this virus in the United States. CDC is operationalizing all of its pandemic preparedness and response plans, working on multiple fronts to meet these goals, including specific measures to prepare communities to respond to local transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. There is an abundance of pandemic guidance developed in anticipation of an influenza pandemic that is being repurposed and adapted for a COVID-19 pandemic.

END OF CDC INFORMATION

Please protect and take care of yourself. And God bless you.

Jacqueline Sebiane

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