Hello my dear readers,
How was your week?
I’m something like this today
Luckily is Friday 😉
I want to keep it short but I must say something!
I believe you know that WHO (The World Health Organisation) declared this week (Wednesday, March 11) the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
What does this mean?
You don’t need to freak out. Let me explain.
An outbreak becomes an epidemic when it widespread in a particular country, sometimes in a particular region.
Whereas a pandemic is a wide geographic spread in many parts of the world, many continents.
That’s the difference.
It matters how is called just because “epidemic” and “pandemic” imply different approaches to health crisis.
Unfortunately, reading a lot of fellow bloggers around the world, I understand fake news are very widespread as well, it is a pandemic, and this is a huge problem too.
I’m speechless that even in this situations while people are dying, others are thinking to spread fake news, and for what I’m wondering?
Do these people get paid for spreading fake news? It will be really alarming!
For what I am concern, I am a foreigner living in a country where fake news doesn’t exist! In Singapore there is a Fake News Law, that seeks to prevent the electronic communication of falsehoods. The regulations and penalties against fake news are so high that if caught, you’ll think twice before stating anything which is not real. And I completely agree!
However, I have just received an email with very useful information which all of us should know and I would like to share it very quickly with you.
Please read below! It will not take too much of your time I promise!
An infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Dr Leong Hoe Nam, answers questions that you may have on the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19 novel coronavirus?
Symptoms of the virus include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Breathlessness – At about day 5 – 7 of having a fever, patients have reported feeling increasingly breathless.
How it is transmitted the COVID-19 novel coronavirus?
Virus transmission happens via droplets from the spit, cough or sneezes and contact by touching a surface with infectious secretions.
In both cases, one can be infected by the virus coming in contact with his eyes, nose or mouth but it is still not clear how quickly this can happen.
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus
- Stay home as much as possible
- Avoid crowded places with huge groups of people
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. I know you think is a silly thing but I would like to inform you that globally, 4 out of 5 people DO NOT wash their hands after using the bathroom!
- Avoid touching any part of your face without first washing your hands
- Keep clean and disinfect your home, office
- Wear a mask if you are feeling unwell or displaying flu symptoms
- Seek treatment if you are feeling unwell and don’t go to work or school
And I know nowaydas fake news about the cure of COVID-19 are circulating everywhere and I know is not a good news but at the moment,
there is no vaccine or cure for the virus.
Please ignore the fake news and do all you can to prevent the spread of this nasty virus.
The best thing you can do is STAY AT HOME.
Take it as a long weekend, you can relax, read, watching movies, writing blog posts, you can do a lot of things at home!
Wish you a wonderful weekend!
Stay at home, get a good rest and stay safe!
Click here for the Dr Leong’s interview
Photo credit: Health Plus
Love, R
