Coronavirus (2019-nCoV): How to Stay Safe

Coronavirus

Everyone has been talking about the coronavirus lately, and for good reason. It seems to have come upon us overnight with many people seriously ill or dead. We at Pro Safety & Rescue thought it would be a good idea to put out some information in order to help you and your loved ones to stay safe. All information we will share in this blog post is from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and current as of the date of this post. It is, however, a good idea to stay up to date on the facts as doctors and scientists discover more about this coronavirus. You can find the links to the WHO and CDC websites posted at the bottom of this blog for the most up to date information.

What is a novel coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that infect both humans and animals. Some cause illnesses in people such as MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and even the common cold. A novel coronavirus simply means that this particular strain of coronavirus is novel or “new”, as far as we know. It is the first time scientists have seen this coronavirus in humans.

Where did this coronavirus originate?

This novel coronavirus, (2019-nCoV), first popped up in Wuhan city in the Hubei Province of China in December 2019. Since then it has spread throughout the world. China as well as many other countries are doing everything they can to stop the spread of this virus.It is unconfirmed just where the virus came from, but scientists believe it was first transmitted to a human from an animal. 

What are the symptoms?

The main observed symptoms are:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing

There have been reports of a range of severity to symptoms, with some people having rather mild cases and others getting very ill and even dying.

Who is susceptible to getting sick?

Everyone has potential to catch 2019-nCoV, though elderly people and those with preexisting conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes appear to be at a higher risk for getting severely sick.

How do I protect myself?

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and others from the spread of the virus:

Wash your hands

 Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Do this any time you have been in public or touched an object that is frequently touched by others like a door handle.

Cover your nose and mouth 

Make sure you cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue then dispose of the tissue in the trash. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer afterwards.

Social distancing

Don’t get into close contact with people who are sick. The CDC recommends keeping a distance of 6 feet between yourself and anyone that has symptoms.

If you’re sick, stay home

If you have any symptoms such as cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, stay home. It’s important to focus on getting better. With the coronavirus scare, your co-workers will appreciate you not going to work and getting them sick. In addition, if you have these symptoms, It’s a good idea to seek medical assistance as quickly as possible. It may not be the coronavirus, but better safe than sorry. 

Don’t touch eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

This is important as a general rule to keep from getting sick. It’s important to be even more careful with the added threat of the coronavirus.

Don’t eat raw or undercooked animal products 

Avoid raw or undercooked animal products such as meat and milk. Wash your hands after handling any such animal products.

Practice good hygiene when visiting markets with animal products or live animals 

Avoid touching sick or stray animals. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before eating or touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Should I wear a facemask?

The CDC has said that facemasks should be used for people who are contagious and people who are working with them such as medical staff. The CDC does not recommend that the general public who are well wear facemasks.

If you are an EMS worker providing assistance to anyone who has coronavirus symptoms, make sure to wear the proper PPE as well as notify your supervisor.

If someone has the coronavirus, how long until symptoms appear?

According to WHO, the incubation period of 2019-nCoV is anywhere from 1 to 14 days, with median estimates of 5-6 days.

Are infected people with no symptoms contagious?

At this time it is believed that people who don’t show symptoms still could be contagious, However, based on the available data, it appears that people with symptoms are doing most of the spreading of the disease.

Can my pets get sick with and spread the coronavirus?

According to WHO, there is no there is no evidence that pets and companion animals such as dogs and cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. That being said, its always a good idea to wash your hands after touching animals to remove common bacteria such as salmonella.

Is there a cure?

As of yet there is no cure for 2019-nCoV. That being said, people who are infected with the virus can receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention early. This will allow for medical staff to give you the best supportive care available to help your body fight the illness.

Stay informed, stay safe

Pro Safety & Rescue wants everyone to stay healthy and safe. Find us on social media for more safety tips and ideas.

For more information:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

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