Are You in Danger of Catching the Coronavirus? 5 Questions Answered

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A security officer wears a hazardous materials suit at a subway station in Beijing, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. China moved to lock down at least three cities with a combined population of more than 18 million in an unprecedented effort to contain the deadly new virus that has sickened hundreds of people and spread to other parts of the world during the busy Lunar New Year holiday. (AP Photo/Yanan Wang)

NEW YORK (AP- The Conversation) – The Chinese government has quarantined Wuhan, a port city of 25 million people, and it has restricted travel to and from several other cities, including Beijing, to contain the coronavirus that has sickened more than 800 people and killed at least 25 as of Jan. 23, 2020. A case has been reported in Seattle, and officials are monitoring a patient with a possible case in College Station, Texas. This raises the question: Will this spread – to me?

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Am I at risk?

Not now, because currently every case of the novel coronavirus is linked to Wuhan.

There are lots of different coronaviruses that group into three types. The common cold can be caused by both alpha and betacoronaviruses.

Coronavirus was never really taken that seriously until 2003, when a coronavirus jumped species – likely from bats to humans via civets – and led to SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. This species-jumping ability of coronaviruses is being observed again, now in Wuhan at the seafood market. This coronavirus is in the betacoronavirus group. China has now put travel restrictions in place to limit spread from Wuhan.

What’s the big concern with this virus?

For the novel coronavirus from Wuhan, there is no vaccine, and we’re lacking a specific therapy. So it is key to limit spread through quarantine of infected individuals and by tracing of contacts.

What is so unusual about this coronavirus?

This is a coronavirus that has never been seen in humans before. It likely came from bats, and it’s much more serious than the common cold coronavirus. This is only the third time that we’ve seen a coronavirus jump species from animals to humans. The concern is that this coronavirus is going to behave like SARS and MERS, or Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2012, both of which were serious.

Do the deaths appear to be among people of a certain age?

Many were in older men with pre-existing conditions.

How can I stay safe?

First of all, you need not be concerned about catching this right now. Practice the same precautions that you would to prevent catching a cold. Viruses that cause the common cold are on surfaces of handrails and doorknobs, so wash your hands, use sanitizers and stay home when you are sick.


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Deval Patrick 2020
Deval Patrick 2020
4 years ago

Yawn. Who cares? I got my flu shot so I’m protected. No worries. Nothing can happen to me. It’s only you evil rodfim who refuse to get vaccinated that have what to worry about.

Professor
Professor
4 years ago

Fake news.
Just like SARS, which was also a phony threat.
They are trying to scare you with a non issue.

Abe Green
4 years ago

It’s all good, the scare in the media is cuz they’re working on a vaccine for it! Look it up. ‘vaccine coming’ is if we once again have to save the world!

They are not working on a treatment for if they don’t even care for a treatment. If you are nervous about this virus there’s a herbal protocol that has been proven to work! Google Dr Stephen Buhner.

He’s a Pioneer in helping hundreds of thousands of people through Lyme disease and other viruses.