Firstthere was the norovirus, and now there’s the coronavirus. The coronavirus hasbeen spreading global panic as its death toll steadily rises. So far, nearly3,000 people have contracted the virus, with most of them living in China. InChina alone, over 80 people have passed away.
The infection initially started in the city of Wuhan, located in the Hubei province of China. Many companies are suspending deliveries or any collaborations in China. Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Disney have all discontinued operations and added travel restrictions in response to the outbreak. Even some car makes such as PSA Group, and Honda Motor have started removing employees from China. Others are further evaluating the crisis on an ongoing basis.
Shanghaieven issues a notice urging companies to hold off on going to work untilFebruary 3, rather than the usual January 31, and all public transportation hasbeen stopped in Wuhan. Individuals in other countries who have recentlytraveled to Wuhan is asked to self-isolate, to avoid spreading the sicknessfurther.
TheWorld Health Organization first assessed the global risk of the virus as“moderate”, but it has recently been changed to “high.”
This isn’t the most pleasant way to finish off the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Still, there is some information about the coronavirus that everyone needs to know, as well as the necessary precautions to stay safe.
Whatis the coronavirus?
Thereare several types of human coronaviruses, including NL63, HKU1, OC43, and 229E,which are the most common alpha and beta varieties. There are also MERS-CoV,SARS-CoV, and lastly, 2019 nCoV, or 2019 Novel Coronavirus, which is the latestoutbreak identified in Wuhan City.
Thesickness generally starts with a mild to moderate upper-respiratory-tractinfections.
Although we are talking about the human coronavirus, this family of viruses can be transmitted between animals and people.
Symptoms
Thehuman coronaviruses can first appear like the common cold and cause you toexhibit:
Generaldiscomfort
Fever
Headache
Sorethroat/cough
Runnynose
Shortnessof breath/breathing issues
Cough
In some cases, the coronavirus can cause more serious lower-respiratory tract illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia. The likelihood of this happening is increased for seniors, infants, and those who don’t have a robust immune system.
Howit’s diagnosed
Healthcare providers can diagnose the coronavirus with lab tests and symptoms. Travel history is an integral part of this diagnosis.
How itspreads
Coronavirusis most commonly spread through:
Personalphysical contact, including shaking hands or other forms of touching
Airbornedue to sneezing or couching
Physicalcontact with an item that has touched the virus, then touching eyes/nose/mouth
How toprevent coronavirus
Reduceyour risk of contracting this virus by frequently washing hands with soap andwater for a minimum of 20 seconds. If your hands are unwashed, do not touchyour eyes, mouth, or nose. Additionally, try not to come into close contactwith others who are sick or exhibiting symptoms. There is currently no specifictreatment or vaccine for the coronaviruses. If you show any of the coronavirussymptoms, reach out to a doctor for diagnosis or treatment immediately.
People are in widespread fear of a global coronavirus take-over, and while the stock markets are currently suffering, following these simple guidelines can help significantly in reducing the chances of infection. On its own, the coronavirus is simply a virus family that causes a large number of common colds in both adults and children. However, when undiagnosed and progressing to more severe respiratory infections, it can become deadly.
PotentialTravel to China
If you have upcoming plans to visit China, the US State Department is warning against it. Apart from health issues, the Chinese government may put travel bans or restrictions without advance notice, which could be dangerous for travelers. The department further went own to say, “US government has limited ability to provide emergency services” to its citizens that happen to be stranded in China.
Stockmarket crash
Although this is just a volatile economic reaction instead of the end of the world, stock market activity has plunged over the past few days due to the coronavirus. After China announced the quick rise in the potentially fatal virus, there was a sell-off in European and Japanese markets. Investors worried that the illness will prevent worldwide economic growth. Hopefully, this selling mania is just temporary, and our world will have its order restored relatively soon. Come on, scientists!