CORONAVIRUS: Warning
Health officials in China have released information about a new and potentially lethal strain of CORONAVIRUS apparently originating in Wuhan. This virus is in the same category as SARS and MERS, with close to 2000 confirmed cases and dozens of deaths in China.
The virus, believed initially to spread between animals only, has made the leap from animal to human, and is now spreading from person to person. Reports coming out of China are troublesome. The rate of cases is escalating fast, though the WHO has indicated it’s too early to declare an international health emergency at this time.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, announced: “Make no mistake, this is an emergency in China. But it has not yet become a global health emergency. It may yet become one,”
The virus is spread by droplets from coughs and sneezes, as well as by touching a contaminated surface. Symptoms may not appear until 3-6 days after exposure. Basic hygiene, hand washing and sneezing/coughing into a tissue may help to limit the spread.
Tweets apparently coming out of China suggest this may be much worse than originally thought.
if you experience symptoms within two weeks of visiting Wuhan, China, it is recommended to seek medical help immediately.
The latest information indicates that very few outside of China have been confirmed to have the virus. If you suspect you or your child may have been exposed to this virus, please contact a medical professional immediately. If you go to a emergency room, urgent care, or your doctor’s office, wear a mask, stay away from other patients, and alert your medical professional upon arrival or by calling ahead. Exercise caution and do not go to work, or send your child to school if you have reason to believe you’ve been exposed to this virus or are showing early symptoms.
Initial symptoms may include fever, sore throat, a dry cough, runny nose, and sneezing. Eventually shortness of breath may set in and possibly pneumonia.
Much like the common cold, there is currently no cure for this new strain of the CORONAVIRUS. Medical care involves treating the symptoms. The elderly, especially those with health issues, may be at greater risk.
Measures we can take to avoid catching and spreading this terrible disease are common sense precautions, including keeping hand sanitizers in the car to use after using a gas pump, using the wipes provided at stores to wipe the handle of shopping carts before touching them, using a napkin or sanitizing wipe, even a sleeve if nothing else is available, to open doors in public places. When washing your hands in a public restroom, always use soap and leave the water running while you dry your hands and then use that paper towel to turn the water off and to open the door to leave.
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.
Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy
To stay safe and keep yourself and your family healthy wash your hands at these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.
Follow these five steps every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, under your nails, and partway up your forearms.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
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