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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
The first known case of the coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease has since spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic.
Coronaviruses are common in certain species of animals, such as cattle and camels. Although the transmission of coronaviruses from animals to humans is rare, this new strain likely came from bats, though one study suggests pangolins may be the origin.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD
SARS-CoV-2 spreads from person to person through close communities. When people with COVID-19 breathe out or cough, they expel tiny droplets that contain the virus. These droplets can enter the mouth or nose of someone without the virus, causing an infection to occur. The most common way that this illness spreads is through close contact with someone who has the infection. Close contact is within around 6 feet.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever
- Breathlessness
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- New loss of taste or smell
These symptoms are likely to occur 2–14 days after exposure to the virus.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
Chances are you’ve heard about the food, drug, or other methods that claim to prevent, treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But while it might be tempting to use a questionable product or method to stay healthy, it’s extremely unlikely to work and might cause serious harm to you.
What does science say:
- Pneumonia and flu vaccines: Vaccines against pneumonia, such as the pneumococcal vaccine, don’t protect against the COVID-19 virus. The flu shot also won’t protect you against the COVID-19 virus. However, annual flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone age 6 months and older.
- Saline nasal wash: No evidence rinsing your nose with saline protects against infection with the COVID-19 virus.
- High temperatures: Exposure to the sun or temperatures higher than 77 F (25 C) doesn’t prevent the COVID-19 virus or cure COVID-19. You can get the COVID-19 virus in sunny, hot, and humid weather. Taking a hot bath also can’t prevent you from catching the COVID-19 virus. Your normal body temperature remains the same, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.
- Low temperatures: : Cold weather and snow also can’t kill the COVID-19 virus.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. However, people hospitalized due to COVID-19 might be given antibiotics because they also have developed a bacterial infection.
- Alcohol and chlorine spray: Spraying alcohol or chlorine on your body won’t kill viruses that have entered your body. These substances also can harm your eyes, mouth, and clothes.
- Drinking alcohol: : Drinking alcohol doesn’t protect you from the COVID-19 virus.
EFFECTIVE COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection. When possible, get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re fully vaccinated, you can more safely return to doing activities that you might not have been able to do because of the pandemic. However, if you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, the Centre for disease control recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and outdoors in crowded areas or when you are in close contact with people who aren’t fully vaccinated.
It is also very important to avoid close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms. Keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters), especially if COVID19 is spreading in your community, especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness. Keep in mind some people may have COVID-19 and spread it to others, even if they don’t have symptoms.
You must wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Also, you should wear the recommended face mask in indoor public spaces. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask outdoors in crowded areas or when you are in close contact with others who aren’t fully vaccinated.
Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding, and other household items if you’re sick.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily.
Stay away from work, school, and public areas if you’re sick unless you’re going to get medical care.
Avoid taking public transportation if you’re sick
COVID-19 VACCINES MYTHS VERSUS FACTS
Covid-19 vaccines is finally here with us and the government has been trying to get people to be vaccinated even to get the booster dose after taking the second dose. But a lot of people are still not convinced to take the vaccine. Let us take a look at the most common myths about taking the vaccine as against the scientifically proven facts.
| MYTHS | FACT | |
| 1 | The COVID-19 vaccine can affect women’s fertility. | The COVID-19 vaccine will not affect fertility. The truth is that the COVID-19 vaccine encourages the body to create copies of the spike protein found on the coronavirus’s surface. This “teaches” the body’s immune system to fight the virus that has that specific spike protein on it. |
| 2 | If I’ve already had COVID-19, I don’t need a vaccine | Evidence continues to indicate that getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection against getting COVID-19, whether you have already had COVID-19 or not. |
| 3 | Getting the COVID-19 vaccine means I can stop wearing my mask and taking coronavirus precautions. | The CDC continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and makes recommendations for wearing face masks, both for those who are fully vaccinated as well as those who are not fully vaccinated. |
| 4 | Getting the COVID-19 vaccine gives you COVID-19. | The vaccine for COVID-19 cannot and will not give you COVID-19. The two authorized mRNA vaccines instruct your cells to reproduce a protein that is part of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which helps your body recognize and fight the virus if it comes along. The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain the SARS-Co-2 virus, so you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The protein that helps your immune system recognize and fight the virus does not cause infection of any sort. |
| 5 | The COVID-19 vaccine enters your cells and changes your DNA | The COVID-19 vaccines are designed to help your body’s immune system fight the coronavirus. The messenger RNA from two of the first types of COVID-19 vaccines does enter cells, but not the nucleus of the cells where DNA resides. The mRNA does its job to cause the cell to make protein to stimulate the immune system, and then it quickly breaks down without affecting your DNA |
WHY PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE VACCINE
Some of the reasons include the following:
Lack Of Trust In The Vaccines
Beyond concerns about side effects, many of the hesitant just don’t have much trust in the vaccines. They may believe that the process for the vaccines was too fast — it was, after all, a record time from conception to mass production. They may note the vaccines aren’t even technically approved by the Food and Drug Administration since the agency has only authorized them for emergency use.
Lack Of Trust In Institutions
For some of the hesitant, the concerns may not be about Covid-19 and the vaccines but the institutions that surround both. They may not trust the government agencies or companies that helped develop the vaccines. Or they may not trust the health care system in general.
Vaccine Side Effects
For some, the concern is the vaccine itself — and particularly the side effects that can come with it. These concerns can be about something the vaccine really causes, like a day or two of aches, fever, and fatigue or, in extremely rare cases, potentially blood clots. But they can also be about things that aren’t real or proven, like other long-term health risks or unproven claims for example, infertility.
WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE THE VACCINE?
You should consider taking the vaccine for the following reasons:
THE COVID-19 VACCINE WAS CREATED QUICKLY, BUT WAS CAREFULLY TESTED FOR SAFETY
The development of the COVID-19 vaccines did not cut corners on testing for safety and efficacy. The vaccines were made using processes that have been developed and tested over many years, and which are designed to make and thoroughly test vaccines quickly in case of an infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19. The vaccines themselves were extensively tested by independent scientists, and more than 100 million people in the U.S. have been safely vaccinated.
COVID VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS ARE TEMPORARY AND DO NOT MEAN YOU ARE SICK.
The vaccines do not contain live coronavirus, and you cannot and will not get COVID-19 from getting vaccinated. After the shots, you might experience a sore arm, a mild fever or body aches, but this doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. These symptoms, if they happen at all, are temporary, usually lasting only a day or two. They signal a natural response as your body’s immune system learns to recognize and fight the coronavirus. On the other hand, getting coronavirus can make you seriously ill, with symptoms that linger for weeks or even longer.
GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE CAN PREVENT YOU FROM FALLING SICK
The COVID-19 vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the coronavirus if you are exposed to it — including coronavirus variants such as delta and Omicron. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, getting the vaccine is a powerful step in taking charge of your health. When given as directed, the authorized vaccines can prevent severe COVID-19 illness and death.
GETTING VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 HELP OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY
Older people and those living with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are more likely to experience severe even fatal cases of COVID-19 if they catch it. The more people who receive the coronavirus vaccines, the sooner vulnerable people can
feel safe among others. Also, since every COVID-19 infection gives the coronavirus a chance to mutate, being vaccinated helps prevent variants.
Here you go, I hope this post was educative and helpful to you in some ways to be well informed about the coronavirus.
I would like to hear from you: What are your thoughts on this subject. You can share your thoughts and experiences with me and others in the comments section below!
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