Everything You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Pandemic
In an effort to assist Osgoode Hall Law Students during these unprecedented times, the Opinions Section publishes this COVID-19 explainer:
What is Coronavirus? What is COVID-19? Are they the same thing?
A: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In other words, COVID-19 is the disease (the effect) caused by the coronavirus virus (the cause).
Where did it come from? What is its history?
A: COVID-19 was first identified in December of 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province. It is believed that the disease emerged from an animal-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus – likely from bat-to-human transmission, or possibly from pangolin-to-human transmission. It is unknown specifically what the circumstances are behind this animal-to-human transmission.
How does it compare to the seasonal flu (influenza)?
A: The seasonal flu and COVID-19 appear to have similar methods of transmission – namely, via water droplets which transmit the virus through the breath of an infected person – however this is where the similarities end. COVID-19 appears to be more infectious than the seasonal flu despite similar methods of transmission, largely due to the fact that those infected with the novel coronavirus have a much slower onset of symptoms than those infected with influenza. Most cases also remain infectious while asymptomatic, allowing for the transmission of the virus by those who are unaware they are infected and infectious. As such, those infected with influenza are expected to infect 1-2 other people, whereas current World Health Organization data suggests those infected with COVID-19 will infect 2-3 other people.
Further, COVID-19 appears to be far more deadly than influenza. The seasonal flu has a mortality rate of around 0.1%, whereas the World Health Organization reports that the mortality rate of COVID-19 is at least 3.4%. This suggests that influenza kills about 1 out of every 1000 people infected, whereas COVID-19 kills about 34 out of every 1000 people infected. This means that COVID-19 is at least 34x more deadly than the seasonal flu.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
A: Most infected with COVID-19 will develop flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Less commonly, upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, or sore throat may be seen. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea are seen in a minority of cases. In some cases, the disease may progress to pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and death.
Mild cases typically recover within two weeks, while those with severe or critical disease may take three to six weeks to recover. Among those who have died, World Health Organization data suggests the time from symptom onset to death ranges from two to eight weeks.
How can I prevent the spread of COVID-19?
A: To prevent transmission of the virus, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States recommends that individuals wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the toilet or when hands are visibly dirty, before eating and after blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing. The World Health Organization advises individuals to avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Additionally, health agencies around the globe are recommending – and in some cases now requiring – that individuals’ follow “social distancing” practices which aim to slow the rate of infection by limiting the amount of social interactions between people. Social distancing can include staying home as much as possible, working from home and refraining from non-essential activities such as celebratory social gatherings, visiting restaurants, or attending sporting events.
Do medical masks protect me from COVID-19?
A: According to the WHO, the use of masks is only recommended if a person is coughing or sneezing or when one is taking care of someone with a suspected infection.
What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?
A: Health Canada recommends that if you are ill and must visit a health care professional, call ahead or tell them when you arrive that you have a respiratory illness. You may be asked to wear a mask while waiting for or receiving treatment to prevent the spread of the illness.
If you have travelled abroad and you develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing in the next 14 days:
- isolate yourself within the home as quickly as possible and
- call your healthcare provider or public health authority
Tell them your symptoms and travel history. Let them know whether you have had direct contact with animals or a sick person.
How can I prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Make a plan. If COVID-19 becomes common in your community, you will want to have thought about how to change your behaviours and routines to reduce the risk of infection.
Fill your prescriptions. Refill your prescriptions now so that you do not have to go to a busy pharmacy if you do become sick.
Stock up on essentials. At this time, it makes sense to fill your cupboards with non-perishable food items so that you do not need to go shopping if you become sick. To do this, you can add a few extra items to your grocery cart every time you shop. Good options are easy-to-prepare foods such as dried pasta and sauce, prepared canned soups, canned vegetables and beans, and canned fish products.
Get reliable information. Make sure that you get high-quality information about COVID-19 from reliable sources. The Public Health Agency of Canada is a reliable source of information, as are provincial and territorial public health authorities.
Who is most at-risk from a COVID-19 infection?
A: The Public Health Agency of Canada advises that there is an increased risk of more severe COVID-19 outcomes for Canadians who are aged 65 and over with compromised immune systems or with underlying medical conditions (especially those affecting the respiratory system).
How long will the COVID-19 pandemic last?
A: No one is exactly sure. Most experts expect that the COVID-19 pandemic won’t be truly over until a vaccine is developed and implemented – which most estimates say is at least a year away. However, some experts say that through sufficient social distancing efforts, it may be possible to reasonably contain the virus at some point within the coming months.