COVID-19: Use common sense

HOWARD COUNTY- Yes. There is reason to be cautious about the coronavirus. 

Here are some things the public needs to know about COVID-19 or coronavirus according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 

Symptoms (may appear 2-14 days after exposure)

• Fever

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

Emergency warning signs

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion or inability to arouse

• Bluish lips or face

Virus is spread by 

• Close contact — within about six feet

• Sneezing and coughing

Protect Yourself

• Wash your hands (soap and water for 20 seconds)

• Use hand sanitizer (containing 60% alcohol)

• Avoid touching eyes, nose mouth

Avoid close contact

• With sick people

• Stay away from public

How to protect others

• Stay home if sick

• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue & throw away and wash hands

• If sick, wear a facemask around others

• If you are a caregiver, wear a facemask around them

Clean & disinfect

• Frequently clean surfaces daily (tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks

Disinfectent options

• Diluting household bleach — four teaspoons bleach per quart of water or one-third cup bleach per gallon of water

• Alcohol solutions — use at least 70% alcohol

 

About COVID-19 or coronavirus 

It was first diagnosed in China in late 2019. The first known death was on Jan. 11, 2020 in China. It soon became known as an epidemic, which is a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease (more than typical)

Over the past three months or so, it has spread around the globe, affecting over 110 countries and a large number of people. Because of that, the World Health Organization upgraded its status to a pandemic on March 11.