Coronavirus outbreak: 10 most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 answered
The coronavirus outbreak is sending public health authorities around the globe into a panic. Although the virus has existed for many years, the current form of coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 is killing people by the hundreds.
It originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has so far claimed six lives in America. The virus, which has spread to every continent except Antarctica, has infected more than 90,000 people, killing more than 3,000 worldwide.
We know it is highly contagious and can spread primarily through droplets as the infected person coughs or sneezes, however, here are 10 common coronavirus questions answered:
1. Will washing hands help?
Yes. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that "everyday preventive actions help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses."
It recommends that you wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
If you cannot find soap and water, use a hand sanitizer, but it should have more than 60 percent alcohol content. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty, it says.
2. Is a handshake safe?
CDC does not encourage close physical contact. Try waving as a sign of greeting or even a simple hello. Avoiding a handshake reduces the risk of catching the disease.
The virus can spread through viral particles transferred when shaking hands or sharing a drink with someone who has the virus. In some cases, affected people may not feel sick but could spread it.
3. Can your dog get coronavirus?
Do not panic. Your pets cannot get coronavirus and neither can they give you the illness, according to a CNN report.
According to Jane Gray, Hong Kong SPCA's chief veterinary surgeon, both felines and canines get coronavirus, but it's not the one that's currently happening. They reportedly don't cause respiratory problems and are a different strain.
4. How to kill the virus if it's in your laundry?
Wash all undergarments, towels, and household linen in high heat — recommended temperature is 60C or 40C with a bleach-based laundry wash. It will stop the microbes from spreading. Use a dryer on high heat for approximately half an hour to kill any micro-organisms. You can also dry your clothes under direct sunlight.
5. Are masks helpful or not?
CDC recommends using a facemask. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease. If you're a health worker or people who are caregivers, it is recommended for you.
However, if you are well, it recommends you do not wear a facemask as the risk of getting an infection right now is low in the US.
6. Can mild flu symptoms be coronavirus?
We don't know for sure. According to reports, its fatality rate may be more than 1 percent. There is no known vaccines for this disease. The reported cases have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, according to CDC.
The symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Mild cases may simply resemble the flu or a bad cold, and people may be able to pass on the new coronavirus even before they develop obvious symptoms.
7. Do bats cause coronavirus?
Some people have claimed that "bat soup” was to blame for the disease spreading, but that was later debunked.
8. Can coronavirus live on fabric, carpet, and other soft surfaces? What about hard surfaces?
There's no evidence that the virus is transmitted from soft surfaces like fabric or carpet to humans. However, surfaces that are touched all the time like doorknobs or even tables that someone sick may have touched after sneezing, coughing or rubbing their eyes should be cleaned with disinfectants or a household cleaning spray frequently.
9. Should I travel on a plane with my children?
Try not to fly as much as possible, especially to restricted areas. However, if you must, take precautionary hygiene measures. Make sure to wipe down your seat and surfaces you would be touching constantly.
10. Should I accept packages from China?
There is no reason to suspect that packages from the country bring the virus with it. This isn't a 'Simpson's episode.