Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARA-CoV-2) also called Coronavirus causes the infection COVID-19. What makes it more difficult to contain is that it has never been identified before in human beings, and there are no vaccines to prevent the infection. So, governments and pharmaceutical companies are racing against time to find a vaccine. The preventive methods include using face masks, hand washing with soap and water, using alcohol based hand sanitizer, maintaining social distance and isolation if sick. Because of the panic, people are stocking up the aforementioned essentials thereby creating shortages. Many people including you might be now thinking from where can you buy a face mask. If not available in stores near you, you can try ordering some online.
Before panicking and buying the essentials, let us try to understand about coronavirus and COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is the infection caused by the novel coronavirus, and it spreads through ingesting viral particles in respiratory droplets ejected by the infected when they cough, sneeze or exhale. These particles can remain on surfaces for prolonged periods. Coming in contact with the infected surface by touching or inhaling the droplets, the virus enters the body and then it begins to multiply, replicating itself. This causes an immune response resulting in sore throat, coughing, sneezing, fever and runny nose.
If the virus gets deeper into the lungs, it causes pneumonia causing shortness of breath and chest pain. Besides, older people, those with allergies, diabetes and lung diseases have higher chances of falling severely sick. Besides, the other primary symptom is diarrhoea and gastrointestinal issues if the virus gets into the digestive tract.
What Has Been Understood About Coronavirus So Far?
It is understood that the novel coronavirus is more contagious than SARS or influenza virus, and it can survive for long on contaminated surfaces. So coming into contact with surfaces such as door knobs, elevator buttons, faucet taps etc can cause the spread. Besides, an explosive spread can overwhelm the healthcare capacity and make it impossible to save patients who could have been saved.
An explosive outbreak can create supply shortages for ventilators, masks, hospital beds and staff. Also the shortages of masks can put healthcare workers and professionals at peril of infection, further straining the capability of the healthcare system. One of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection is to scale up social distancing, extensive testing to prevent cluster outbreaks and quickly containing any outbreak.
Therefore, the most effective way to stop and break the chain of COVID-19 spread is social distancing and it is within the discretion of individuals.