The term “Coronavirus” is not a comforting one as it is a deadly virus that has been spreading rapidly all across the globe. The pace with which the disease is spreading is not at all helping the already declining economies and shows no signs of containment in the next few days. As the severity of the spread increases, many countries have declared red alerts to prevent their citizens from coming into contact with the virus, and to stop the spread of Coronavirus further. The World Health Organization on Wednesday has declared this rapidly spreading coronavirus a global pandemic which is defined as the worldwide spread of this disease. Till now coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected over lakh people and killed nearly 4,000 individuals around the world.
Ways in which coronavirus can spread!
To stop the spreading of Coronavirus a lot is being implemented, and precautions seem the best way forward. Surfaces can also impact the spread of Coronavirus, as it can stay potent on the surfaces depending on the temperature, humidity, and type of surface. We have tried to summarize the duration of the virus’s lifespan below, after researching through articles for easy awareness.
| Surface | Duration |
| Air | Up to 3 hours |
| Copper Surface | Up to 4 hours |
| Cardboard | Up to 24 hours |
| Plastic/Stainless Steel | 2-3 days |
| Phones/Handles | Up to 7 days |
The CDC highly recommends disinfecting the frequently touched surfaces at regular intervals, using bleach, alcohol, or other medically approved disinfectants.
Researchers are working hard to get rid of the details of the Corona & we know it’s not an overnight game to understand any new virus. Hence we don’t have any concrete information about this virus apart from some common signs & symptoms of its infection. However, WhatsApp & Facebook universities are educating around 3 billion people around the world with some myths & facts. As educated Indians, let’s take a conscious call before forwarding anything we receive on our social channels. A piece of advice is to ensure the source or verify the details before forwarding it to the masses. By now we all know more or less about Coronavirus, so let’s give a quick review of the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Coronavirus spreads mostly through:
- Person-to-person contact within about a 6 to 9-foot (2 to 3meters) radius.
- It can also be spread from respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Experts also say that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes, but this is not considered the main way the virus spreads.
However, it is the panic that is making Coronavirus more dangerous for everybody. Hoarding enormous quantities of toilet paper, crates of bottled water or five-year supplies of hand sanitizer is irrational and impacts your fellow citizens. Taking preventive measures is good but doing such things as a result of panic is not going to help anyone.
We must understand that this is a pandemic now and it can’t be eliminated overnight. We also can’t discount the fact that within a month number of confirmed infected people could rise from hundreds to lacs & over 100 countries have already come under its radar. But there are ways with which we can reduce its impact & together we can tame this virus. The virus has shown exponential growth in countries like China, Italy, and Iran. Do check the references below for more in-depth details on these stats.
Ways to Stop the spreading of coronavirus
There are some basic things that we can do to protect ourselves from coming into contact with this deadly virus. The Bitter Truth is there is no vaccine for Coronavirus yet, but Israel Scientists are claiming to have reached the egress for the same. Hopefully, we get a vaccine soon, till then the only way to keep yourself safe from this deadly virus is to take some preventive measures which are as follows:
- Wearing a mask will be helpful; if you are treating or taking care of a sick or infected person.
- If you are using any medical/ surgical mask, make sure you should discard it daily, you can’t use the same mask for the next day.
- Do not throw your masks anywhere, instead, discard them immediately in a waste bin.
- If you are using a cotton mask then make sure you will soak it in warm water for 30 minutes and then wash it before reusing it.
- Avoiding public places or crowds is a good idea as you don’t know who might be infected with the disease.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 to 30 seconds before and after going to the office from home or home office or other outside places.
- If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
- If soap and sanitizer are not available simply wash your hands with lukewarm water.
- If you have any of the symptoms like dry cough, cold, fever, running nose, sore throat, and breathing difficulties, immediately contact your doctor.
- Refrain from touching surfaces, and if you’ve to then be wary of touching your face; use sanitizers or wash hands with soap before touching your face.
- Stay at home if you are ill or sick, stay hydrated, and consult your doctor.
By following these simple, reasonable, and effective steps we can help reduce the burden on health services. In addition to this, one should avoid traveling to China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, or places where there is an outbreak unless it is absolutely essential. The government is taking relevant measures in their attempt to contain the situation, what we as citizens and inhabitants of the planet can do is, abide by the prevention guidelines. This will help health officials, local governments, companies, and schools to enact strategies that may reduce the spread. Let’s be rational, and logical when dealing with emergency situations, not have emotions, and uncalled bravery as the reason for fatal actions. We all need to be cautious until proper medication or vaccine for the coronavirus is not developed. Till then stay safe, but don’t panic.
Some of the best sources we have come across for more in-depth reading on Coronavirus:
- The Atlantic
- Guide by 1mg
- The Corona Song
Disclaimer: The data above has been collated after doing thorough internet research and is primarily from a perspective of prevention purposes.
Also, feel free to join our wellness community for regular updates on the ways to prevent Coronavirus, or follow us on LinkedIn.
- 1. Is COVID-19 worse than flu?
COVID-19 has a higher rate of severe disease and mortality in nearly every age group, compared with influenza (flu).
- How effective masks and do they also need to cover my nose?
Mask wearing is a very simple and effective way to reduce transmission and save lives. The degree of protection depends on the type of mask, how well they are worn, and on other factors such as the behavior of people wearing them and the behavior of air droplets in different settings.
- What are the risks of re-infection?
Even if you have had a test that detects antibodies, reinfection is still possible, although less likely.
- Is regularly washing my hands enough to protect me?
Even though regularly washing your hands is very important, as with masks it is not enough on its own. Public health guidelines all work in tandem to prevent the spread of germs.
Keep washing your hands for at least 20 seconds each time, keep carrying antibacterial gel when you’re traveling, and remember to wear a mask and practice physical distancing. - How does the virus spread?
COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:
1: Breathing in the air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
2: Having these small droplets and particles that contain the virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
3: Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
