NEXU Science Communications
Everything changed in our world very quickly. A short few months ago, the idea that the world would be ground to a halt by a virus seemed absurd. Now, our lives are revolving around the medical response to the novel COVID-19 coronavirus.
It’s easy to become disheartened during this pandemic, and there is no reason to understate the severity of COVID-19. It’s a deadly disease that has already claimed thousands of lives. However, there is some small good news regarding the disease. Here are a few important notes to remember while you practice social distancing.
Experts agree that social distancing has done its part in slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. While cases continue to rise in the US and Europe, measures taken to keep people isolated and stop the spread of the disease have been successful so far. Keep this in mind as you continue to practice social distancing.
According to experts, the best thing for combating COVID-19 is simply remaining distant from others. As the disease has no cure, and there is no vaccine, the best way to prevent it is to simply avoid contact with potential vectors. While social distancing is important, however, some models show that even perfect adherence to the guidelines could still result in 100,000 deaths in the US from the disease.
Globally, at the time of this writing, there have been roughly 890,000 confirmed cases. Over 44,000 people have died from COVID-19, but 188,000 have recovered from the disease. While it’s still early to make an estimate, some medical professionals believe the mortality rate of the disease could be 0.66%. This is remarkably lower than an earlier reporting of a mortality rate between 2 and 4 percent.
However, as a novel virus, it’s hard to know with certainty what kind of mortality rate it will have by the time it has run its course. Experts are in agreement, however, that older people are at the greatest risk from the disease.
This is a serious pandemic, and this is a critical moment globally for the health of the public. What can you do to help? Just stay home! Make sure you wash your hands often, and limit your exposure to crowds. Only go to the grocery store and other essential businesses, and try to do so during off-peak hours.
By staying home and avoiding social contact, you’re saving lives. Make sure you stock up on snacks low in sugar and fat and keep a good exercise regiment up while you’re staying home. Keep your distance, and keep everyone safe!
