Coronavirus is spreading faster than anticipated

Photo courtesy of 57 Andrew, Flickr

Talk of the new coronavirus has spread faster than the virus itself. It has taken over the news and is mentioned daily in conversations. It is a contagious illness spreading very quickly among people. 

Currently, over 40,000 people have been diagnosed and roughly 900 people have died in China. 

What is the coronavirus? This strain of virus, like all other strains of the coronavirus, is said to have originated from an animal. More specifically, from a bat or a snake.

The known symptoms of the virus are fever, cough and shortage of breath. What scares the public the most is that the symptoms sound like any other kind of sickness, like the flu. Thus, people are starting to worry that any sick person can potentially have it. 

The recent coronavirus is reported to be less infectious than those of the past, such as SARS. The medical community knows how to respond to the virus, and there has already been talk about vaccines being developed.

But how serious is it to us? New cases of the virus are reported daily. The United States has already been affected.

As of Feb. 9, there have been 12 confirmed cases of the virus in the United States. Half of the afflicted live in California. One American citizen died from the virus in China, however, there are currently no known cases in New Jersey.

Flights between China and the United States have been all but sut down, and shipments from China have also been postponed in order to prevent any spread of the illness.

What can we do to avoid infection? In China, most people are staying inside their homes as much as possible and are wearing face masks when they leave their homes.

The World Health Organization suggests washing your hands and keeping a distance from people that are sick. 

It is important to be aware of what is going on, but do not be afraid. The coronavirus is not posing any real threat to New Jersey. I think you should always make sure that you are clean and taking the necessary steps to take care of yourself. Flu season is upon us, so treat your body right. Make sure to fuel your body with the right nutrients. 

Be extra clean when going to places with a lot of people, such as New York City. Hand sanitizer is a great investment. Also, make sure that before leaving the bathroom, you wash your hands and try to avoid grabbing the bathroom door with bare hands. I usually use a paper towel or the end of my shirt to prevent my hands touching more germs. You do not need to be afraid of germs, but try to be as clean as possible. 

Keep your eye out for the coronavirus, but do not let it cause unnecessary worry and stress.

 

lgilliga@ramapo.edu