The coronavirus: What it is and how to stay safe

What is it?
The coronavirus has infected more than 75,000 globally as of Feb. 19, according to CNN. Most of the deaths stem from mainland China, but cases have been reported in the U.S., Singapore and a number of other countries — including cases as close at Lawrence, KS.
The death toll has now risen to 2,000, with all but six fatal cases occurring in China.

What to do to say safe:
Although there is no vaccine to prevent the coronavirus, people can still take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here are some things the CDC recommends:
1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
3. Stay home when you are sick.
4. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
6. Masks should not be used by people who are not ill to prevent themselves from contracting the coronavirus, instead, they should be used by people who show symptoms of the coronavirus and health professionals.

What you need to know:
*information courtesy of the New York Times
1. The coronavirus can infect both people and animals, causing a range of respiratory illnesses from the common cold to dangerous diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.
2. Scientists have estimated that each infected person could spread it to somewhere between 1.5 and 3.5 people without effective containment measures, such as masks or quarantine.
3. Although the virus is a serious health concern, the risk to most people outside China is very low.
4. Regarding travel, the U.S. and Australia are temporarily denying entry to noncitizens who recently traveled to China and several airlines have canceled flights to China.
5. Washing your hands and staying home are the most important things you can do.

Who’s affected?
View the map below to see what countries have reported cases of the coronavirus as of Feb. 10.

*photo courtesy of MCT Campus

Lydia Underwood | The Harbinger Online

UPDATE: Map showing the number of coronavirus cases outside China.