How to Protect Yourself From Coronavirus
As the coronavirus spreads around the globe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. "I told my children that while I didn't think that they were at risk right now, we, as a family, need to be preparing for significant disruption of our lives," says Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, if you live in the U.S. the risk of getting the virus remains very low, but public health officials say there will likely be outbreaks in the United States. So this is a good time to review your emergency game plan. Here's what you need to know to make good decisions to plan, prepare and even prevent the spread of the disease.
1. This virus is contagious, but so far it's not as deadly as other outbreaks.
2. To fend off coronavirus, follow flu prevention tips
In China, more than three-quarters of the cases have been classified as mild. Symptoms include low-grade fever and a cough. Some people also experience fatigue, headaches and, less frequently, diarrhea. Overall, the death rate in China is estimated at 2%, and the average age of death among those with COVID-19 is in the 70s. People with underlying medical problems, and particularly smokers, seem to be at higher risk. The flu causes more than 12,000 deaths a year in the U.S. An annual vaccine is the most effective way to prevent flu, but there are other strategies to prevent it. So far, there's no vaccine against the new coronavirus, but some of the same strategies to prevent flu can also protect against coronavirus.
The top tip: Wash your hands. Why? Viruses can spread from person to person via respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, close contacts can be infected. In addition, the virus can end up on doorknobs, elevator buttons and other surfaces. If you touch those surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you can become infected. This is why it's important to wash rigorously.
Here's the CDC's guidance. "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."
3. Don't panic — start to prepare
4. The uncertainty of masks to prevent illness
5. Be smart about travel
Think about the threat of a possible outbreak in your community the way you'd think about a big snowstorm or a hurricane. If it never hits, great. But if it does, you'll be glad you prepared.
Don't hoard, but do stock your cupboards with some extra food and cleaning supplies. Each time you grocery shop, buy a few extra items. Shelf-stable foods such as beans and rice are good options. Also, utilize your freezer to preserve foods, everything from meats and vegetables to cooked grains and bread. Think about having enough on hand to last a few weeks.
Overall, there's not conclusive evidence that wearing a face mask can help prevent being infected by the virus. And public health officials give mixed messages about usefulness for the general public. As we've reported, masks may not fit the face tightly, so you're still able to breathe in infected droplets. And experts worry that masks can give a false sense of security.
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Health care providers are trained to use masks properly, and there's evidence that they're effective in clinical settings. For people at home, the CDC recommends using masks in certain situations. For instance, if you're caring for an infected person at home, the proper use of masks can protect the caregiver.
The CDC updates its travel advisory information frequently. The federal government uses a four-level scale to rank risk. Level 1 equals the lowest risk, and Level 4, the highest. For parts of Italy, where there's been sustained spread of the novel coronavirus, there's now a Level 4 alert. The CDC advises that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel. "Travelers should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol."
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If you've planned a cruise or overseas travel, consider the possibility of travel disruptions in the event of an outbreak. "Think about the consequences of being caught on ship or over a border when decisions are being made" that could limit or disrupt your travel without much warning, says Christopher Mores of The George Washington University. If you were quarantined, what would your backup plan be for your work and family responsibilities back home? This is something to consider.
