Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update on Pandemic
With 82,000 cases of the Coronavirus across the globe, Japan closing all of its public schools, and Trump claiming there is nothing to worry about because by April, the virus will die out, one wonders about his decision to gut the CDC.
Despite Trump's buffoon-like actions on the virus, fact is, the first community spread transmission happened when a person at UC Davis medical facility in Davis, California, tested positive. The person had never gone to China and never was in contact with any of those quarantined in from China. That simply means that the virus is just "out there" in California. The virus has traveled to the USA. The virus is 20 times more deadly than the common flu because humans have not had this before.
The latest on the virus is that many experts feel the incubation time it was not 14 days before it was obvious but 30 days. This means those in isolation and released after 14 days were still infected and spreading it. Key symptoms continue to be a consistent cough and fever above 100 last over a 4-6 days. The usual flu-like traits also appear but more intense. In the later stages, some people who have compromised immune systems may have difficult in breathing as their lungs become infected. Most viruses will die out after 14 days, this does not, it is more persistent. Wearing a surgical mask is not needed because the virus is so small, many masks fail to filter it out. So, a mask maybe a faux feeling of safety. All the usual personal sanitation is the same: wash hands, stay away from those with symptoms.
There is no vaccine for it and it will be at least one year before there could be one ready for public use. There are only 12 companies making testing packages for all the clinics and hospitals in the USA to detect the new virus. So, it is going to get worse, not better, despite what Trump says. Getting a flu shot will not protect you from this new virus.
Whether the virus began from a bat or snake from the Wuhan market or it did originate in a Wuhan biological lab that escaped via infected personnel who shopped at that market, it is spreading to Italy. to Israel, and other places.
There is no need to panic but one should have a 7-day supply of food and water just in case the numbers reach high levels in your area.
