Posted by:
Nightingale
(
)
Date: March 01, 2020 03:10PM
It's getting a little scary out there for lots of folks. The best defence is a good offence, as they say in hockey (and all sports!)
The best we can do for ourselves is to get and stay informed. Listen regularly to updated bulletins from medical and govt sources.
The coronavirus (COVID-19), they are saying, is usually relatively mild in most people. Authorities are allowing many people who are sick with COVID to self-isolate (at least, here in Canada). We should stay home from work and activities in any case if we are ill (as others say, many people go to work sick as they can't afford to take time off or don't want to agitate their employers or whatever reasons but in this time of the worldwide near-panic it's best to try and work from home or just accept that you have to stay away for as long as it takes to ensure you are not going to pass on your germs, whatever they may be. That is the best practice in any case, with or without COVID or other similar issues at any time).
The people most at risk are those who have recently travelled to the most highly affected countries and/or have been in close contact with anyone who has done so (i.e. say a returning spouse who has just been in a named high-risk country).
Also at higher risk than the general population are elderly folks and those with chronic illnesses (i.e. heart disease, diabetes) or with compromised immune systems for any number of reasons.
Staying out of large crowds is being recommended (i.e. sports events and concerts).
Otherwise, it's the usual good practice of frequent handwashing and avoiding introducing germs into our bodies by touching our eyes, nose and mouth (which is often involuntary and unnoticed by us so we have to be more aware of what our hands are doing and keep our fingers away from our face). Handwashing with warm water and soap, for at least 20 seconds, is the recommended way to ensure clean hands. Even with clean hands, avoid touching idly your face (portals of entry for bacteria).
They are also saying to disinfect counters and other surfaces, even in your own home. It should be obvious, more more emphasized now, that surfaces in grocery stores and other high-people-volume places are not clean and may not be routinely disinfected by the business. Handles of grocery carts, for instance, are obviously highly germ-laden areas.
One simple precaution too is to get a flu shot (often given free of charge - at least here in Canada). This doesn't directly protect against COVID-19 but can prevent you getting flu, therefore somewhat immune-compromised and perhaps more susceptible to other illnesses. It also helps the medical world if fewer people are getting sick from respiratory illnesses.
If you do become ill with respiratory symptoms, call ahead to your health care centre to ask for instructions before showing up at their location. This can help prevent spread.
No reputable health care providers are saying that the coronavirus is just floating through the air seeking to wipe out Earth's entire population. You may be at risk if you have travelled to one of the named countries where the virus is currently prevalent. You are at risk if you are in close contact with an infected person. Most people who have contracted the illness have a mild case and they recover. While they are sick they should isolate from others - instructions they will be given by health care workers - to avoid wider distribution.
Canada has not imposed any travel bans. There are advisories. It's good to be aware of which countries can put you at risk of contracting the virus.
For instance, there are over 202,000 people of Iranian origin in Canada, approximately 46,000 in Metro Vancouver where I live. Iran is one of the named countries where the virus is more prevalent. Travellers inbound from Iran are checked, just as they would be anywhere, and isolation precautions taken if indicated.
There are no "men in white suits" roaming the streets scooping up people based on ethnic origin or physical appearance.
There is no mass panic. And no need for it.
I've had a sore throat and sniffles this weekend. Not COVID-related. But it has spurred me into action - getting in some extra non-perishable supplies. Because that's always a good idea anyway.
Of course, with babies and elders and sick folks you'd also want to make sure you were hyper-prepared. And don't forget to have a healthy stash of necessary medications.
Hey. Be informed. Be practical. But don't be scared.