Key Points
1. Avoid crowds
2. Self-quarantine if in high risk
3. Don't be careless or cavalier
4. Diagnostic tests not always available
It is important to be circumspect in your daily activities during this time because there continue to be unknowns about how COVID-19 is spread. Common-sense actions, such as avoiding crowds and closed spaces (such as public transportation) is advised.
Australia and other nations are postponing or cancelling religious and sporting events where many people gather. The danger comes when one person who is unaware they are infectious (can spread the disease) could unknowingly begin a chain of infection for those they come in contact with during these events.
High-Risk Individuals
Those, especially at high-risk, should self-quarantine where possible. They include:- The elderly
- Those with chronic respiratory disease (COPD, emphysema, asthma)
- Individuals with diabetes
- Anyone with suppressed immunity (such as from a transplant or undergoing cancer treatment).
Keep in mind, those who are infected could be infecting others 14 (or more) days before showing symptoms themselves. Because the symptoms initially seem like the flu, someone infected with COVID-19 virus could be tempted to just go about their daily routines.
Diagnostic Tests
Additional challenges come from there being no standard diagnostic test, yet. There are 'test kits' but:- Many countries do not have any of them,
- There are not enough of them
- Some have already proven to be faulty
- Facilities that need them may not have them when a patient presents themselves
Finally, the test kits take time and have not proven to be as accurate as a CT scan. However, CT scans are not available everywhere a patient may present with symptoms, especially in undeveloped countries, they are very expensive, time-consuming. This is another area where solid research and statistics will help.
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