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Coronavirus Is Here. Here’s How Parents Can Better

Prepare.
The CDC Says the Coronavirus Is Coming Well it is Here. Here’s How Parents Can Prepare

BitVice
Feb 27 · 6 min read

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control made an alarming announcement about
the novel coronavirus that has been rapidly spreading around the globe and is probably
coming for the United States. CDC o cials stressed that Americans should start
preparing now for signi cant disruptions to daily life should the virus start spreading in
U.S. communities the way it has in other parts of the world. But what exactly should
people be doing to prepare? The CDC’s announcements left infuriatingly little in the
way of details. Parents and kids worried about the coronavirus seem to be given little
recourse but panic.

Not yet. There are some silver linings to this virus, now technically called SARS-CoV2,
short for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (its other names are Wuhan
virus, novel coronavirus-2019, and COVID-19 virus). For one, according to the data at
hand, it spreads at about the same rate as the u — and is so far less fatal. For kids
especially, early indications nd that this virus is, in fact, a minor threat. Parents, you
may now breathe.

Still, all indications show that this virus spreads fast, seems to have a frighteningly long
incubation period, and, scariest of all, no one knows how bad it could get. “It’s an
evolving situation,” says Dr. Vanessa Raabe, assistant professor of pediatric infectious
diseases at the NYU Langone Vaccine Center. And in such situations, there are two
things to do: Assess the knowns and take all the action you can based on those facts.

Also, wash your damned hands. There is hands-down no better way to prevent a virus
from spreading. Here are the known facts on the coronavirus, and what parents (and
kids) can do about them.

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TRUTH ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

Fact: Symptoms of Coronavirus Include Fever, Cough, Shortness of

Breath, and, Probably More?
If we’re going to be honest, there’s not enough data to know the usual severity of the
above symptoms, nor if they’re all that comes with SARS-CoV2. Furthermore, what we
do know shows that the severity of symptoms varies greatly with some infected people
having few, minor symptoms while others fall severely ill.What parents can do: Don’t
know what’s coming at you? Take the time to stock up on the basics. This would include
cough drops, painkillers, elderberry (there’s decent evidence this helps shorten viral
infections and cuts down mucus), tea and soup (hot liquids!), and ibuprofen for that
fever. Based on what the CDC is saying so far, it seems like the coronavirus brings more
cough than snot — but get the tissues in case. Because if you get the coronavirus, you
should probably not leave your house…

Fact: If You Are Diagnosed With Coronavirus, the CDC Recommends a

14-Day Quarantine
If you aren’t sick enough to be hospitalized, stay two weeks in your own room and
preferably with your own bathroom, says Dr. Raabe. Some people have experienced
diarrhea or upset stomach with the virus and it’s not yet clear if that is another way the
virus is spread.

If you start to feel ill, Dr. Raabe recommends seeking medical attention quickly. It may
not be SARS-CoV2 (at this point, it is very likely that you have the u or a cold), but
going to the doctor early on will help you get the treatment you need to get better,
faster. If you have reason to think you could have been exposed to SARS-CoV2, either
because you came in contact with someone who was exposed or could have been
exposed directly through travel, you should mention that to your provider.

What parents can do: There are a few things you should consider grabbing from
the store in advance (that means now) in case you contract the virus. Stock up on daily
medications (have at least a 30-day supply on hand), keep common medications like
painkillers and the like on hand, have food staples and nonperishables, and household
cleaners and paper towels — to keep your house from being an incubation den for the
rest of the family. If you have small children, be sure to have a store of diapers and
wipes. Oh, and make sure you’re internet bill is paid — because 14 days is a long time to
stay inside without the aid of Disney+.

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TRUTH ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

Fact: The Coronavirus Can Spread by Contact

While there is still a lot we are still learning about COVID-19, it does seem to spread
when people come in contact with people, surfaces, or air particles from a sneeze or
cough carrying the virus, says Dr. Raabe. That’s very similar to the u or the common
cold, which means the health precautions you already know and love during u season
apply to the coronavirus, too.

What parents can do: Wash your hands (this bears repeating) and make sure
your children wash their hands frequently. Stay home if you are sick, or keep your child
at home if they are sick, to prevent spreading illness. Cough into your elbow. Keep
surfaces in the home clean, and stop yourself from touching your face and mouth after
touching any surface that could carry a virus.

Fact: Children Don’t Seem to Be as A ected by COVID-19

Parents can breathe slightly easier, as the disease does not seem to have a strong e ect
on little ones so far. It’s not clear, however, if they can spread the disease if infected and
not showing symptoms. Adults, and men, in particular, are much more susceptible to
the virus (this trend is not unusual when it comes to viral illness).

What parents can do: Guess what? Wash your hands! Make your child wash their
hands! Wash them again! Frankly, it’s all you’ve got here.

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TRUTH ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

Fact: The Virus Is Highly Contagious

The virus has proved extremely spreadable. It has a long incubation time, and some
people exhibit only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, leaving them free to go to
work and home and to the supermarket without realizing they are ill. One expert told
The Atlantic that he expects within the coming year, 40 to 70 percent of people around
the world will get this infection — many of the cases very mild.

What parents can do: Figure out some social distancing measures. Call your
child’s school and ask what the plan is if the virus starts spreading rapidly in your
community — or get the ball rolling on discussing this plan. You can take similar steps at
work, making sure there is a work from home or other strategy in place should the
major disruptions the CDC predicts come to pass.

Another thing parents can do: Wash those hands, clean surfaces, cough into
your elbows.

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TRUTH ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

Fact: Face Masks Probably Won’t Keep You From Getting the Virus
There is a temptation to strap on a face mask when you go out in public to keep all those
germs out. But there actually isn’t good evidence that these masks help. If someone in
your family does get sick, they can help reduce the spread by wearing a mask
themselves, says Dr. Raabe. There is also some concern that a run on masks by the
panicked public could reduce the amount available for medical professionals, who
actually do bene t from wearing protective gear.

What parents can do: Resist the urge to stockpile masks, hand sanitizer, and the
like. Why? Because washing your damn hands is the most e ective measure to
preventing infection.

Fact: The Relentless Media Coverage Can Overshadow More Pressing

Threats
So far this season, the u has killed 16,000 people and put 280,000 people have in the
hospital. This by far remains the biggest threat to families.

What parents can do: It’s not too late to get a u shot, and this year’s vaccine has
proved to have 55 percent e ectiveness for children, so all the more worth getting.

So there you have it: Make a plan should the coronavirus start to spread, wash your
hands, maybe keep an eye on the CDC website for updates, and get ready your escape
room (and bathroom).

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TRUTH ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

Originally published at https://www.fatherly.com on February 27, 2020.

Covid 19
Corona Coronavirus Covid 19 Crisis Pandemic

WRITTEN BY

BitVice
My name is henry wise and I am a social media expert and web
designer and a content curator I love to share my knowledge
with others when necessary.

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