COVID-19: Basics
KEY INFORMATION LINKS:
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Hong Kong SAR Center for Health Protection (CHP)
Hong Kong SAR Coronavirus Information Site
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 corona virus is a respiratory illness with symptoms ranging from dry cough to more severe pneumonia-like ailments. Different age groups have been reported to have responded with varying levels of severity of symptoms, course of illness, duration of illness, and subsequent recovery complications.
Currently, it has been suggested by most major health organisations (WHO, CDC, etc) that the elderly (over 65 years of age) and those suffering from underlying health difficulties represent a group who appear to have the lowest resistance to the current COVID-19 and as such are most susceptible to contract the virus. They also appear to be the cohort who are most likely to suffer a more acute course of infection and less likely to recover from it.
Everyone is susceptible however, and should use caution when in public places, restrict unnecessary travel, clean hands and home regularly after exposure to possible contamination, and aim to remain in as good a condition of health as possible.
Optimal health can be seen as balance in food and water intake, sleep hygiene and recuperation time, and energy expenditure management in addition to positive connections with others, development of positive outlook, addressing imbalances in mood, creating sustainable daily routines, and savouring the more content moments available to us each and every day.
COVID-19 Spreads via close contact with an infected person, their sprayed droplets of a sneeze or cough, and/or by coming into contact with such infected surfaces, and subsequently transmitting these to your upper respiratory system by touching your nose, mouth, or face generally.
COVID-19 Prevention begins with avoiding affected persons, the areas in which the habitate, and moving around in areas generally where infected persons are known to have been.
COVID-19 best measures for stopping the spread include, washing hands regularly (20 seconds with soap and water) after potential contact, avoiding touching one’s face and where impossible to do so, to take action to wash one’s face more regularly as well, and remaining quarantined if one suspects infection may be present until symptoms do not appear or do, in which case the local medication professionals should be the next communication.
The use of filters, such as fabric, tissues, and facial masks, can generally help to limit the spread of liquid droplet particles from one’s cough or sneeze to others and in return when worn can hinder the transmission of spray from others to us, although the latter is less likely to be needed when not in the direct vicinity of those infected.
Currently, it is not possible to know when one is carrying the virus but not yet showing symptoms, so caution is encouraged at all times by most governments around the world at this point in time. The best course of action is a rational approach to being prepared, limiting unnecessary travel, ensuring everyone with whom you are in close contact is virus free and maintaining good hygiene at all times.
If everyone is on the same page in terms of behaviour practices, we all have a better chance for weathering through this particularly virulent spread of disease globally, and emerging on the other side, whenever that is, with a renewed perspective on our health, our mental health, hygiene and health, and the human and financial impact of one powerfully leveling agent and how we will prepare ourselves better in the future.
Related Articles: UN commentary on Mental Health in the age of Coronavirus, Health Effects of Social Isolation in the Aging, BBC’s Five-Ways to work well from home during the Coronavirus, CNBC’s 5 Tips for Working from Home with Children, PLAN B, C, D…, Self-Development Opportunities with Regained Travel Time, Getting Your Green On (Inside and Out), and more… (links being updated)
MORE WEBSITES AND MATERIALS…
Worldwide COVID-19 Numbers by Country
UNICEF: How to speak with children about COVID-19