Coronavirus: What You Need To Know

Staying Informed Is the Best Way to Keep Your Family Safe 

When your world’s been turned upside down, the very worst part is not knowing what will happen next. The rapid, global spread of the coronavirus disease has taken us all by surprise. Even more surprising are the extreme measures that are necessary to suppress the rampant infection rate of this highly contagious illness. There is currently no treatment for COVID-19. Only damage control measures to “flatten the curve” so that we can all weather the storm in a manageable manner. 

NeuroZone will keep you informed during this difficult time. We want you to make educated decisions about your family’s future. Co-Founder and Executive Director of NeuroZone, Erin Badour, is a mother herself. She and her staff are committed to getting you and your loved ones through these trying times with compassion and consideration.

What Happens When You Get the Coronavirus Disease?

It is difficult to determine if someone has been infected by COVID-19 based on appearances alone. Its symptoms are non-specific to the disease; they can resemble mild allergies or a sudden case of the flu. Some individuals may be completely asymptomatic, meaning they do not show any outward signs of the disease.^[1] 

If symptoms do develop, they will most likely appear after an incubation period of 14 days or less. 

Common Symptoms of COVID-19

How To Manage Symptoms

Individuals at Risk in Los Angeles, California

In China, 14% of all cases of the coronavirus disease were severe. Just 5% were considered critical cases. Critical cases included infected individuals who suffered respiratory failure, septic shock and other life-threatening symptoms. 2.3% of all cases died. While this may sound like a small number, we also must consider the high transmission rate. Up to 60% of all Californians may be infected with the disease. The mortality numbers show that particular demographics of individuals are significantly more at risk. 

Older Adults

People over the age of 65 are at the highest risk of developing deadly symptoms from the coronavirus disease. The risk factors are compounded if there are any serious underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. While COVID-19 spreads, older adults are encouraged to stay at home and avoid contact with others. Our seniors should take particular care to properly distance themselves from young people who may be infected but asymptomatic.   

People With Asthma 

People with asthma may be at higher risk for infection. COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome that attacks the lungs. People with asthma should take extra precautions to avoid contact with the virus. They should practice sound social distancing and wash their hands frequently. Changes in shopping hours and disruptions in the supply chain may make it difficult to fill prescription inhalers. It would be wise to stay a couple of months ahead of your current supply of life-essential prescription meds, as is the case for many asthma sufferers. This group is advised to avoid any known triggers for their condition. 

Pregnant Women

There is still much to learn about COVID-19. As their bodies go through profound hormonal changes, pregnant women are especially susceptible to all forms of infection—this may include vulnerability to the coronavirus. Pregnant women should practice social distancing and wash their hands often. 

What Is the Treatment for the Coronavirus Disease?

A vaccine for COVID-19 is not projected to be available until 2021.^[2] Until then, there is no definitive treatment for the disease itself. Supportive care seeks to ease the symptoms of COVID-19 until the body’s own immune system can defeat the infection. Doctors declare that Public health measures to stem the unchecked spread of coronavirus are the most effective way to minimize the incidence of the disease, and also its attendant risks.

Coronavirus Prevention

Since there is no vaccine for the virus, the best way to combat COVID-19 is to avoid exposure. The coronavirus disease is highly contagious. It is spread person-to-person, surfing a spray of respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Being in close proximity to an infected person (6 feet or less) puts you at risk of being exposed to coronavirus, or of exposing others.^[3]    

Protect Yourself From COVID-19

Move mindfully, practice good common sense and follow these steps to protect yourself from exposure to COVID-19.

Wash Your Hands

The coronavirus can be transmitted from a soiled surface for up to several days. Wash your hands frequently, especially if you have been out in public. Wash your hands with soap and water for a duration of 20 seconds. If no soap and water are available, thoroughly coat both hands in a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. To reduce the risk of exposure, avoid touching your face. 

Avoid Close Contact   

The virus’ spread can be significantly dampened by practicing social isolation. If coronavirus is spreading in your community, put distance between yourself and other people. Avoid contact with people who are sick.  

Protect Others From COVID-19

We’re all in this together. Stopping the spread of coronavirus is more than just protecting yourself from the disease, it’s about preventing its spread to others. Remember that many people are asymptomatic, or have only very light symptoms. It’s possible to have COVID-19 and not even know you have it.  If you are feeling ill, follow these steps to protect others from infection. 

Stay Home

If you are feeling sick, stay home. By limiting contact with others, you will be protecting your community from the disease’s spread. 

Cover Your Mouth

Stifle coughs and sneezes in your elbow to diminish your diameter of respiratory droplets. Dispose of all tissues and immediately wash your hands. 

Mask Up 

If you are sick, wear a facemask when you will be in close proximity to others. People who are not sick do not need to wear a facemask unless they are caring for others who are sick. 

Clean Surfaces Regularly  

There are many commercially available disinfectants that are capable of cleansing a frequently-touched surface of coronavirus. They should contain bleach and peroxide, or be at least 70% alcohol. 

Do the Five

Help Stop Coronavirus

Wash Your Hands and Sing a Song

Wash your hands with soap and water. It may be warm or cold water, as long as it’s clean. Any soap is fine. It doesn’t need to be a special kind of soap. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to effectively wash them. 

To time your hand-washing correctly, sing the “Happy Birthday” song to yourself twice. You can also sing the entire “ABC” song. Or, if you like, you can sing a part of your favorite song. Just remember to wash your hands for no fewer than 20 seconds. Get under your fingernails, too!

Flatten the Curve

Severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by COVID-19 is immensely contagious. And, since there is no treatment or vaccine, prevention is the only way to slacken the strain it will have on all of society. While the majority of those infected will recover, the disease may be fatal to those in certain at-risk categories, such as the immunocompromised and the elderly. It is projected that more than half the people of California will become infected with coronavirus. If all of these cases occur at once, it will overwhelm the current healthcare capacity. Mortality rates may rise as our medical system struggles to keep up.

“Flattening the curve” is about reducing the number of cases of coronavirus disease. The slower its spread, the more manageable its fallout will be until we develop a treatment.

If we all do our part, our community may avoid having to take more extreme measures to ration scarce resources. By delaying the spread of coronavirus, the life you save could be your grandmother’s, your neighbor’s or your own.

FAQ

References 

1. Heid, Markham. “Did You Have Coronavirus Without Knowing It?” Medium, Elemental, 20 Mar. 2020, www.elemental.medium.com/did-you-have-coronavirus-without-knowing-it-d33bbce9e9e5.   
2. “NIH Clinical Trial of Investigational Vaccine for COVID-19 Begins.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 16 Mar. 2020, www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-investigational-vaccine-covid-19-begins. 
3. “Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Mar. 2020, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html.