Novel Coronavirus (COVID19): Source,Spread,Symptoms,Healthy Habits & a Movie Contagion (2011)

Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) is spreading all around the world. As of today’s, reports, the global number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has surpassed 100 000 and more than 3000 precious human lives lost due to this. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). Till date, it has affected around 90 countries worldwide. On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern. The epicenter of this spread is believed to be Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Vaccine and medications for this disease are yet to be invented though research is in full swing. It might take some more time. Till then precaution is the best bet against this disease.

Source and Spread of the Virus:

• Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. 
• The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a beta coronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three of these viruses have their origins in bats.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• It may be possible 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 possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea are the most affected nations as of now. In India, so far, we are lucky that we don’t have situation of severe community spread. Community spread means some people have been infected and it is not known how or where they became exposed.  The Government of India is trying their level best in containing this spread to the minimum. As a citizen, it’s very important that we shouldn’t be panic in this situation and rather help each other by taking the best possible precautions in our day to day lives.

Symptoms:

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Healthy Habits to Help Prevent Coronavirus:

• Clean your hands with soaps/hand wash or hand sanitizers (having     alcohol >60%).
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep     your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• If possible, stay home from workplace, school and crowded places when    you are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty    of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
• You may also avoid public transportation or else travel with full safety      measures in place like wearing facemasks  etc.

What to do if you are feeling sick or having doubts about health condition?

• Immediately take proper medical care and you may also contact GOI 24*7 helpline number for further guidance by calling on +91- 11- 23978046 or by emailing to ncov2019@gmail.com.
• Stay home and avoid public areas, crowded places.
• You should restrict contact with pets and other animals also while you are sick with COVID-19.
• Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low. Please follow advice from your healthcare providers.

CORONAVIRUS(2019) & MOVIE CONTAGION(2011) SIMILARITY:

There could be a mere coincidence that a science fiction movie titled “Contagion” released in 2011 starring Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Lawrence Fishburne and others is having the very similar kind of situation which the world is currently experiencing due to Coronavirus. It's having very striking similarities of events. You may watch this movie on Amazon prime or on YouTube. You will be totally surprised for sure!

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