Practical steps to get ready, without hitting the panic button.

News about the coronavirus and its spread into the U.S. is on almost every American’s mind. It’s hitting too close to home for a lot of people, and with new cases popping up every day, it’s hard not to get a little worried. Everywhere you turn, there is someone talking about the virus.

At this point, there’s not much you can do to escape hearing about coronavirus. It’s having a massive effect on people, businesses, and the stock market. And I don’t think that’s going to end until there’s a vaccination or an announcement that the spread of the virus has been contained.

As I write this, according to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering’s Centers for Systems Science and Engineering, there are a total of 118 COVID-19 cases in the U.S. There have been six deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. Worldwide, there are 89,197 cases of COVID-19 and at least 3,159 deaths. Most of those deaths have taken place in Mainland China, which has reported 80,026 cases and 2,912 deaths. Hopefully, the U.S. doesn’t reach those types of numbers, but it is a matter of whether the media and public spread facts as opposed to fiction.

Harvard epidemiology professor Marc Lipsitch told The Atlantic last week. “I think the likely outcome is that it will ultimately not be containable.” Yikes. But he also said this: even though he predicts some 40 to 70 percent of people around the world will be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, “it’s likely that many will have mild disease, or may be asymptomatic.”

The California Department of Public Health agrees. In a statement yesterday it said, “While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. The international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization.”

In other words, there’s no need to panic. It helps to look at coronavirus in the context of other illnesses to get some perspective. The coronavirus currently has a death rate of 2% worldwide, far below the 9% to 12% death rate of the 2002 SARS; though higher than the common flu in the U.S.

It’s still unclear exactly how contagious the virus is, but the CDC estimates symptoms occur 2-14 days after exposure. It’s mainly spread through the respiratory system (think: breathing or coughing on someone). Signs of the virus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Like with many other illnesses, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

Psychological Implications Of Coronavirus
If you chat with different friends, you’ll see a range of responses—some are already ordering face masks and stocking up on water, others thinking maybe they won’t travel this summer, and still others haven’t heard anything about the virus.

Despite the information we do hear, part of the trouble is humans are not great at assessing risk. According to Paul Slovic, Ph.D., who researches risk and decision making at the University of Oregon, how risk is conveyed determines how it’s interpreted. And, people use their emotions, not logical analysis to evaluate risks.

“Catastrophizing is an example of an unhealthy thinking pattern which may make contamination seem more likely than it actually is,” says Dr. Julie Kolzet, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in New York City.

To feel less anxious, Dr. Kolzet suggests getting news from reliable sources and thinking about the facts. “Ask yourself, what’s the evidence for this and the evidence against it.” Another tactic is to ask yourself what the cost is of believing the worst-case scenario.

How To Minimize Coronavirus Risk

• Wash your hands. Using soap and water, lather up for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol. This is especially important after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Cover your cough or sneeze. Use a tissue that you can throw away. And, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since the virus is transmitted through the respiratory system.
• Stay home if you’re sick. Chances are you don’t have the virus, but officials advise staying home if you don’t feel well. And, if you suspect you may have coronavirus, call your healthcare provider.
• Keep surfaces clean. Use a disinfecting cleaning spray or wipes on high-touch surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, your phone, and remote controls.
• Stay away from sick people. One thing we know about the virus is that it is very contagious.
• Buy a face mask just in case you think you’ll need it. Face Masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease AND to prevent yourself from getting it. Bandanas can also be made into a good mask!
• Don’t stop at a face mask you may also look into eye protection such as goggles or glasses so if someone sneezes or molecules do not get into your eyes.

You may want to re-think travel plans

There are travel warnings for certain areas: level three warnings (the highest) are in effect for China and South Korea and level two for Italy, Iran, and Japan. For more travel guidance, refer to the CDC website.

The CDC also recommends that “businesses explore strategies that would decrease the amount of exposure that people have with one another, for example, telecommuting and staggered shifts. Those who travel frequently for business should also consider cancelling any nonessential travel in the case of a sustained outbreak in the U.S.”

For updates on coronavirus, check the CDC website. You can also follow worldwide outbreaks with this map and tracker created by Johns Hopkins CCSE.

Coronavirus: WHO announces global death rate is 3.4%
The total number of global cases has passed 93,000 with more than 3,200 fatalities. The latest updates from around the world:

🇨🇳 China announced a decline in reported infections
🇰🇷 South Korea will spend $9.8 billion to help affected businesses
🇮🇷 8% of Iran’s parliament has the coronavirus
🇺🇸 The US now has reported 10 deaths