Coronavirus Pandemic: All You Need To Know

First appearing last December in Wuhan, China, the new coronavirus continues to ravage the whole world by becoming a real challenge for health professionals and for humanity in general. Called COVID-19 and officially reclassified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, this extremely contagious virus has already made more than 1.6 million infected and more than 83,000 on all continents except Antarctica. In order to protect themselves from COVID-19 and reduce the risk of contamination, citizens of several countries were forced to confine themselves to their homes and a large number of them are currently unemployed. This has given green light to many questions that are on the minds of people around the world. But what exactly do you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic?

Coronavirus pandemic: the questions that torment us

Before getting to the basics, it is first important to remember that it is crucial to follow all the preventive measures recommended by the government and health professionals in order to limit and stop the spread of COVID-19? So, what exactly do you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic? Find the answers to the most pressing questions at a glance!

Can the coronavirus pandemic be compared to other disease outbreaks like Zika and H1N1?

According to scientists, the coronavirus, which is transmitted from person to person, cannot be compared to Zika virus disease because it is spread by mosquito bites. Yet COVID-19 appears to be similar to the H1N1 flu. But unlike influenza, people are not likely to have partial immunity built by infection or influenza vaccination. The coronavirus is quite simply very recent.

Can the death rate of the coronavirus compare to that of the flu?

On March 3, the World Health Organization claimed that the death rate from the coronavirus is estimated at 3.4% globally while seasonal flu typically kills less than 1% of those infected.

What precautions to take in public transport and what is the lifespan of COVID-19 on different surfaces?

As for preventive measures in public transport, it is essential to respect those given by the authorities: social distance of 2 meters, stop touching your face, disinfect and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, wearing a safety mask. protection and so on. Regarding the lifespan of the coronavirus on the different surfaces, we invite you to click on the link to find out more. For your information, packaged products from China are unlikely to contain infectious particles given the long shipping times and the limited shelf life of the viral infection on paper.

Should I wear a protective mask?

Given the current shortage of protective devices, DIY washable and reusable masks are the only ones available. However, experts are warning that they cannot protect us from COVID-19 and that they create a false sense of security among carriers. But wearing an anti-virus mask has still become mandatory in some countries in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. In the end, it's better to wear a mask than nothing at all.

Containment, is it necessary to limit the coronavirus pandemic?

Yes, containment is absolutely necessary in order to be able to limit and curb the spread of the contagious coronavirus. Indeed, this preventive measure has proven to be very effective in some countries where the number of new cases has fallen. So when it comes to an outbreak, authorities have three options:

1. Vaccine: Currently, there is no vaccine against COVID-19.

2. Drugs: There are no effective antiviral drugs, clinical trials are still ongoing.

3. Isolation and containment: the “oldest” option.

Can you contract the coronavirus from contact with an asymptomatic person?

Typically, COVID-19 is spread by droplets expelled by infected people who cough or sneeze. According to the World Health Organization, the risk of contracting the coronavirus from contact with an asymptomatic person is very low. Also take into account that in the early stages of the disease, many affected individuals have discreet symptoms but do not feel sick. In this case, they can infect others. Here is why, respecting the preventive measures is crucial.

Can we tell the difference between the coronavirus and the flu?

Since the symptoms of the two diseases are similar, it is therefore difficult to tell the difference between the two. A coronavirus infection can only be proven by a lab test. Symptoms of COVID-19 usually develop about 5 days after exposure, but the incubation period can last up to 14 days.

Should you go to the emergency room if you have coronavirus symptoms?

No, authorities do not recommend going to the emergency room if you have symptoms of COVID-19 because you risk infecting more people if you are sick. First call your GP and he will explain the steps to you. However, if you have any doubts or questions, the French government has presented a toll-free number available 24/7 where you could find answers to your questions about COVID-19: 0 800 130 000.

Pregnancy in times of the coronavirus pandemic: what to do?

As the immune system of pregnant women naturally lowers, they are considered to be one of the risk groups. They are therefore advised to avoid social contact and to be very vigilant in respecting the preventive measures imposed by the authorities. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your doctor.

Do you acquire immunity after recovering from COVID-19?

The bodies of people recovered from COVID-19 produce antibodies. Thanks to these, doctors assume that they are immune to the disease. However, it is not known how long the antibodies provide protection against the coronavirus. Since the virus is very recent, more studies will be needed.

What happens with the development of a vaccine?

Typically, the development and testing of a vaccine takes at least 3 to 5 years. In theory, a vaccine against COVID-19 could be developed for a period of 18 months, which would be a record.

Are healed people contagious?

The coronavirus pandemic is currently affecting more than 120,000 French people, of whom more than 25,000 are cured. Unfortunately, it is not known whether these are still contagious after they are cured. People in hospital are isolated until their tests come back negative for two consecutive days. Then they return home to spend a 28-day confinement period.

Should we cancel our trips abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic?

The coronavirus pandemic has proven to be a real challenge for the airline industry and for tourist agencies. Since COVID-19 is extremely contagious, serious preventive measures have been imposed by the authorities. Many flights have been canceled and several countries have closed their borders. In order to limit and curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, citizens should cancel their trips abroad. What is more, thus, you can also avoid possible infection.

In terms of air travel, a recent study showed that people near the window are less likely to be exposed to the virus.