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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Covid-19 Q&A

Donald Trump, Democrats and pundits are using their pulpits to attack each other instead of inform you concerning Covid-19.  The most reliable sources of information I've found are the CDC website and World Health Organization. You are welcome to add LINKS to factual information in the comments. Attempts at politics will be deleted.

Here's are some questions answered by WHO

1) Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus? - No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.

2) Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus? - UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

3) How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus? - Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus.

However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.

4) Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the new coronavirus?No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.

5) Is it safe to receive a letter or a package from China? - Yes, it is safe. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.

6) Can pets at home spread the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)? - At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.

7) Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus? - No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.

The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.

Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.

8) Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus? - 
No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.

There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

9) Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus? - Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

10) Does putting on sesame oil block the new coronavirus from entering the body? - No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform.

However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.

11) Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible? - People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

12) Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus? - No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.

The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.

However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

13) Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus? - To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The flu is killing more than this right?

Bernie O'Hare said...

We do not know enough about COVID-19 to know mortality rates. From the limited information available, it appears that it is highly contagious (like the flu) and more deadly. But as I said, not enough is known.

Anonymous said...

The mortality rate for this in other nations is not of much value to knowing what will happen here. Although it’s likely we will see a death here, we haven’t yet. Many deaths, even. From what I’ve read, the first situation that arises from this is pneumonia. Yes, much is still unknown.

Anonymous said...

State of Washington now reporting first U.S. death related to this virus. News conference scheduled.

Bernie O'Hare said...

1:16, we have seen a death here, announced by Trump at a news conference. That is no reason to panic, but also no reason to be dismissive. The purpose of this post is be FACTUAL.

Bernie O'Hare said...

If you have information that helps inform people, please comment.. I have no interest in uninformed editorial assertions

Bernie O'Hare said...

... and this explains some deleted comments.

Anonymous said...

try
https://www.factcheck.org/2020/02/factchecking-trumps-coronavirus-press-conference/


"The fatality rate for COVID-19 has fluctuated as the disease has spread. In late January, the worldwide fatality rate was 2%, but as of Feb. 27, the figure would be 3.4%, with 82,550 cases confirmed and 2,810 deaths.

A report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on Feb. 24 by researchers with China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention found a fatality rate of 2.3% among 72,314 cases in mainland China, with higher fatality rates for the elderly (8.0% for those age 70 to 79 and 14.8% for those 80 and older).

David Fisman, an epidemiologist at the University of Toronto, told us that the figures may not accurately show the danger of the virus, because the disease is still running its course for many patients. Also, if more people have been infected but haven’t had their illnesses confirmed, the fatality rate could be lower

Bernie O'Hare said...

Am enabling comment moderation so I can enjoy the evening without monitoring weekend trolls completely unable to follow simple directions.

Anonymous said...

The press conference revealed the individual who died was a woman in her mid-fifties with an existing health condition that would place her in the high risk group.

Doc Rock said...

According to the CDC website, the National Center for Health Statistics reports these results for the USA from the first week of December 2019 through February 15, 2020):

Deaths from Influenza: 3,189;
Deaths from Pneumonia: 36,399;
Total Deaths from Influenza and Pneumonia: 39,588
Percentage of All USA Deaths that were due to Influenza and Pneumonia: 6.85%

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/#S2
https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/mortality.html

Anonymous said...

Singapore is the place to watch. They're managing it well. It's more virulent than SARS, but less deadly. It's not airborne. That's good. It's droplet (snot) borne. Wash your hands - a lot. More importantly, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Anonymous said...

Every nation has its unique ability to handle something like this. Statistics will vary by region and results are not necessarily indicative of what results will be seen in America.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Folks, I have no interest in ignorant opinions or political points.they will be deleted

Bernie O'Hare said...

I am disabling comments to this post bc weekend trolls seem to be incapable of providing FACTS.