What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that may trigger a range of diseases, ranging from a common cold to severe respiratory disorders. The recent outbreak labelled as ‘COVID-19’ is a new kind of coronavirus that emerged in China during December of 2019. As this virus was previously unidentified among humans, the entire aspects aren’t known yet. Health specialists are constantly trying to understand the disease and devise effective treatments to combat it. At present, the average fatality rate of COVID-18 is about 3.4%, which is not considered high.

Symptoms of Corona Virus

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Sore Throat
• Runny Nose
• Breathing Difficulty

The symptoms of coronavirus are quite similar to that of a seasonal flue. Hence, a mere shift in your vitals does not necessarily indicate that you have contracted the disease. If you contract the virus, symptoms may start to appear between two to fourteen days.

How does it spread?

Apparently, COVID-10 is highly contagious as you can get it from another person, and a contaminated surface. When an infected person coughs or sneezes nearby, their airborne respiratory droplets may disperse and be inhaled by you. Similarly, when the infected person makes contact with any object, the viruses are deposited on the surface and remain active for several hours. If we touch these surfaces, the virus adheres to our hands. When we touch our face, it enters the body through the mouth or nose.

Who is at Risk?

Coronavirus is not specific to any race or gender, so anyone exposed to it may fall ill. Most of the infected people shall recover without any major issues. However, the disease has proven to be more severe among elderly individuals (ages 40 and above); it can be fatal for older people with pre-existing lung and heart conditions. Young and healthy individuals are likely to pull through without the need of hospitalization. Therefore, the concern is not limited to you catching the virus, but all the vulnerable people you put at risk by interacting with them post infection.

Safety Measures

In the last few months, COVID-19 has been spreading out rapidly and today it qualifies as a world crisis. It is a stressful situation and everyone wants to know how they can protect themselves against the epidemic. As it has been perceived as a respiratory virus, the foremost strategy is to keep clean.

• Wash your hands frequently and spend at least 20 seconds on rinsing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains about 60% alcohol.
• Wear a surgical mask when you leave home and keep it on around public places.
• When you touch any surface in a public area, make sure to wash your hands afterwards.
• Do not touch any part of your face with dirty hands.
• Stay three feet apart from strangers or people you suspect may carry the virus.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; immediately get rid of the used tissues.
• Stay at home if you are infected and keep a distance from other family members.
• Residents of high alert regions should work from home or demand worker’s compensation from their employer. 
• Obtain a month worth supply of prescription drugs and food, so you don’t need to leave the house anytime soon.
• Avoid sneezing or coughing into bare hands; use your elbow or armpit in the absence of a tissue.
• Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces that are prone to germs, such as doorknobs, a working desk, and your smartphone.
• Refrain from attending public events or large gatherings.

Impact on Travelling

China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran are the most dangerous zones right now, but travelling to other countries is not risk free either. A lot of businesses are locked down and flights to certain areas have been suspended. It may be hard to cancel previously booked trips, when a refund against threat for coronavirus is not a valid option. On the other hand, ticket prices have gone down, which creates a great opportunity to travel to low risk areas. Travelling to high risk areas should be postponed, unless it is extremely significant. You may have to stay at a quarantine for two weeks after returning from that region.