Let’s examine what we know: Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERSCoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to human and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. (Bats are carriers we do know that)
On 11 February 2020, the WHO (world health organization) finally decided to name the virus as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the disease caused by this virus as COVID-19 (for Coronavirus disease identified in 2019).
There is some evidence that a mask may reduce the exposure of others if an infected person coughs while wearing a mask. There is also some suggestion that wearers of masks may reduce the amount of exposure that can come from touching the face with hands that may have been exposed to the virus.
The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs by the following mechanisms:
a. Most often, spread from person to person among close contacts (about 6 feet)
b. Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread.
c. These droplets can land in the mouths, noses or eyes of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
d. It is currently unclear if a person can get SARS-CoV-2 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it (fomites) and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes.
The bottom line is that the greatest protection against the spread of the virus is to avoid close contact with someone who is infected. The virus does NOT have super powers to soar across time and space! Current /ongoing information you can trust is available at the CDC website
Be well, get good sleep, and WASH YOUR HANDS!!! A LOT!
-Trish White