Coronavirus (COVID-19)

It is extremely important to get all of your information from trusted sources. We are only citing information from the following sources:

Center for Disease Control
The World Health Organization
Local and State Department of Health websites
The Mayo Clinic

What do we know are facts?

What is it?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and 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 humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

How is it spread?

When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

How long does it live on surfaces?

The Mayo Clinic states that you can catch COVID-19 from an object if the surface of that object has live virus on it. How long a virus can live outside an organism is unknow. Expert estimates range from a few hour to up to nine day, depending on the type of surface, surrounding temperature and environment

How do I stay safe?

Wash your hands
1. Wash your hands for at least 2o seconds, making sure to get all of your fingers, your palms and the outside of your hands.
Stop touching your face
1. One article I have found suggests washing your hands and then touching a raw onion. With the strong smell on your fingers you’ll realize how often you touch your face and could be a great way to train yourself to stop.
Practice Social Distancing.
1. Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Many states have already enacted several ordinances regarding things like Social Distancing to try and help slow down the spread. The links below will bring you to the State’s Department of Health Websites containing information regarding your area.

California: California Department of Health COVID-19 Updates and Guidance

Colorado: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Coronavirus Disease 2019

Florida: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 index

Kansas: Kansas Department of Health and Environment COVID-19 Resource Center

Minnesota: MN Department of Health Strategies to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

New Jersey: New Jersey Department of Health Coronavirus Information

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 Updates

South Dakota: South Dakota Department of Health