Page 15 - April-May 2020 Neat

Coronavirus Facts & Myths 15

Coronavirus facts and

myths: Clearing up

COVID-19 confusion with

truth

By Natalie O'Neill

There are so many stories swirling about the
coronavirus, it’s hard to tell what’s fact or
fiction. People have been holed up for weeks
obsessively staring at computer screens —
sifting through conflicting and confusing advice
about how to stay safe and treat the virus.

Time for a reality check. Here’s what the most
credible authorities — the World Health World
Health Organization, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases —
know and are still learning about the virus.

How did coronavirus start?
temperature is also low,” it states. hardest.

A person probably got it from an animal, but
Do face masks work against A CDC study showed that around 80 percent of
health officials aren’t sure.
coronavirus? coronavirus deaths were among adults 65 years
and older. People with “severe chronic medical
“The first human cases of COVID-19 were conditions — like heart disease, lung disease
identified in Wuhan City, China in December Authorities still don’t know if masks help a and diabetes, for example — seem to be at
2019. At this stage, it is not possible to healthy person outside of a medical setting higher risk of developing serious COVID-19
determine precisely how humans in China were avoid catching the virus. The CDC is illness,” the CDC said.
initially infected,” according to the World investigating.
Health World Health Organization.
“The idea of getting a much more broad, Still, many young people have been seriously
ill. The CDC also reported that about 20% of
“It is thought that [it] jumped the species barrier community-wide use of masks outside of the hospitalized patients were between the ages of
and initially infected humans…this could be a health care setting is under very active 20 and 44.
domestic animal, a wild animal, or a discussion at the task force. The CDC group is
domesticated wild animal and, as of yet, has not looking at that very carefully,” Dr. Anthony What are coronavirus symptoms?
been identified,” the organization said. Fauci, director of the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Disease, said earlier this

How long does coronavirus last on week. It usually starts with a cough or a fever.
surfaces?
Other health officials recommend wearing one “The most common symptoms of COVID-19
only if you’re already sick. are fever, tiredness, and dry cough,” according
Somewhere between a few hours and multiple to the WHO. “Some patients may have aches
days, according to the WHO.
“Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID- and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore
19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually
“It is not certain how long the virus that causes
after someone who may have COVID-19. mild and begin gradually. Some people become
COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to
Disposable face masks can only be used once,” infected but don’t develop any symptoms and
behave like other coronaviruses. Studies don’t feel unwell.”
the WHO advises.
suggest that coronaviruses may persist on
surfaces for a few hours or up to several days,” Is there a treatment for coronavirus ?
the organization said. Can dogs get coronavirus?

Doctors are testing out several different drugs
To clean the surface, wash it “with a simple Yes, but there haven’t been many confirmed — including antiviral and antimalarial
disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself cases, and canines are not likely to spread it.
medicines — but nothing has been
and others,” the WHO advises.
“While there has been one instance of a dog scientifically proven to work.
Can you catch coronavirus from being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is “There is no evidence that current medicine can
no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can
packages? prevent or cure the disease,” according to the
transmit COVID-19,” according to the WHO.
WHO.
It’s unlikely that a package sent to your home —
The CDC reports that two dogs have been
including grocery deliveries or other supplies (Continued on Page 21)
infected, and recommends “avoiding contact
— would be carrying the virus, according to the
with your pet including, petting, snuggling,
WHO.
being kissed or licked” if you are sick and THANK YOU
“washing your hands after handling” animals.
“The likelihood of an infected person
Does coronavirus harm mostly old and FIRST RESPONDERS
contaminating commercial goods is low and the
risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 sick people? AND ALL ESSENTIAL
from a package that has been moved, traveled, WORKERS
and exposed to different conditions and Yes, it appears to hit those demographics