What we know so far about the novel CoronaVirus, also known as COVID-19

Usually on this platform we discuss drug addiction and rehabilitation. Today, however, we are taking a look at what has constantly been flooding the news.

With Spring approaching your travel plans may need to be rescheduled as COVID-19 has called travel bans in hopes to limit the spread of the virus. Let’s break the COVID-19 down into 5 sections to keep you up to date with the rapid changes.

1. First, let’s break down what COVID-19 means: CO translates to Corona, VI translates to virus, D is for Disease and 19 is important due to the fact that the first reported case was in December of 2019. Corona is Latin for crown, which explains the crown like shape of the virus.

2. So how is this disease transmitted? Where did it come from? So far we know that COVID-19 originated from Wuhan, China in a wet market. Wet markets sell animals out in the open, both dead and alive. It is called ‘wet’ because water is always on the floor, splashed on the dead animals after that have been gutted. Researchers believe that a coronavirus common in animals was mutated and spread to humans in the bazaar. The spread is from human to human contact, it can be transferred from respiratory droplets in the air from coughs and sneezes. This makes it so vital to making sure that you are constantly washing your hands before you touch your face. Remember: since this is not a bacterial illness, hand sanitizer does not help. Instead you need to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds to kill all viruses on your hands.

3. How will this affect your travel? Currently China, Iran, South Korea and Italy have Level 3 Travel Health Notices. These countries have widespread cases of the novel Coronavirus. Japan is Level 2 and Hong Kong is Level 1, the CDC recommends postponing travel to all of these countries. To stay up to date on all travel bans, visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

4. There are a myriad of misconceptions of the death rate with COVID-19. Let’s clear the air with what we know so far. There is a death rate of 3.4%, in comparison to the Ebola virus for example there is a much higher fatality rate for Ebola than COVID-19. The people that do pass away are already the sickest and have advanced stages of the disease. There have been somewhere around 6,000 recoveries of this virus to date.

5. The best way to prepare is to be informed and alert. The CDC suggests the following:

• Avoid close contact with those that are sick

• Avoid touching your face

• Frequently disinfect touched objects and surfaces

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom

• If you are sick, stay home!

The CDC also suggests that the general public that do not show symptoms of the virus should not wear a surgical mask. Masks should be worn by healthcare workers in close contact with people with the respiratory illness as well as those that show symptoms of the illness. Masks can often be mishandled and cause more harm than good.

When we talk about drug dependence, substance abuse, and addiction recovery we emphasize the need for consistency in building good habits. Similarly, the facts above need to be lifestyle changes that need to be implemented constantly.