Things to Know About the Coronavirus Pandemic
By Natasha Petrenko
As everyone knows the whole world is currently affected by the Coronavirus also known as COVID-19. The first case of COVID-19 was detected in Dec. 2019 in China and then spread into 2020 through person to person contact and travel. It quickly spread throughout the world which is why many have anxiety out this in addition to its uncertainty.
According to the World Health Organization as of 10 a.m. of Mar. 14 there are 142, 539 confirmed cases and 5,393 deaths, The United States has 1,678 confirmed cases and 41 deaths. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Mar. 14 there are 64 confirmed cases in Illinois.
Although there have been many cases worldwide, many of them have been mild, and patients have been cured. However, there are vulnerable people such as elders, those with breathing problems, and diabetes who are at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and a more difficult time recovering. It is important to distance yourself from others and limit touch, especially in larger crowds. COVID-19 can also spread by fluids or droplets that come from the nose and mouth when someone sneezes or coughs, it is imperative to use tissues to prevent those fluids from spreading. The simplest way to limit COVID-19 from spreading, which hand washing for 20 seconds or more, and using hand sanitizer that has 60% or more alcohol in it.
It is also important to thoroughly clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, stair railings, and sink handles. The CDC provides an extensive list of effective cleaners from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Be sure to stock up but leave some for others too!
As this pandemic spreads, anxiety levels increase and so does false information. This isn’t to say that people should not worry however, everyone should pay attention to where they receive news and information from. Credible sites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and many more have all the correct statistics and facts about this pandemic.
Remember to keep yourselves up to date with the latest news, practice healthy habits, and distance yourself from large crowds until further notice.
