COVID-19 is here with an Attitude
There has been so much information, and mis-information spread over the past few months, that we don’t know what to believe.
Lets start with a few facts.
Origin:
The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “novel (new) coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) It was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally including Canada and the United States.
The origin however, is irrelevant. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against this new virus, it has spread worldwide.
The last 6 months have seen the onset of variants, Delta is here with a vengeance, and the Lambda variant, first reported in Peru, is now in Canada and the US.
Transmission:
Transmission of the disease is primarily though direct contact, such as a handshake, or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Masks can provide some protection, but even Health Canada has recognized that masks are not PPE (personal protective equipment). COVID can also be transmitted on hard surfaces. If an infected person touches a doorknob, for example, another person could become infected by handling that same doorknob, and then touching their face – especially the eyes, mouth, or nasal area. This is less common as COVID is somewhat fragile, and it doesn’t survive long on most surfaces – typically under 30 minutes, but in the right environment, it can live for up to 24 hours.
The best defense is frequent handwashing with soap (washing for at least 20 seconds) and/or the use of hand sanitizer. Avoid touching the face, and in particular the eyes, mouth, and nasal area.
Most important, if you are not well, stay home. Do not allow your desire to go out place others at risk.
Prevention
To date, there is no method that is 100% effective at preventing COVID.
There are several vaccines available, that reduce, in most cases, the seriousness of the infection, but they are only somewhat effective at preventing the disease. The variants pose new challenges as the vaccine’s effectiveness is reduced with them. That said vaccines carry some important benefits, for some, and some potential risks as well. We recommend making an informed choice as to what is right for you. We believe that vaccination is a personal, and not a political decision.
A recent study released by the CDC has shown that those who are fully vaccinated can still become infected with COVID, and because the vaccine reduces symptoms, the person may not realize that they are infected, and able to transmit the disease.
Vaccinated, or not, diligence is required to ensure that the transmission is minimized.
Severity:
Reported illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illness resulting in death. Most cases are mild. An estimated 16% of cases lead to serious illness. Globally, the current mortality rate is between 1% and 1½%.
Age and multiple comorbidities increase the risk.
The wild card however, is that there is no history with COVID-19, and there is no way to predict just how severe it will be. Historically, variants from a viral illness are less severe that the original. In the case of COVID, the opposite seems true. The best course of action is to be mindful of those around you, be diligent in handwashing, and your own hygiene, and above all, not to panic.