10 Key Facts You Need to Know About COVID-19, Your Ultimate Guide to the Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has sparked widespread concern and uncertainty, and unfortunately, some media outlets have contributed to the panic with sensationalized coverage. Even a recent article from Mytour has raised concerns, but spreading fear isn’t helpful, as a global crisis doesn’t necessarily equate to an apocalyptic end to society.

We still have limited information about the virus, and more research is needed to fully grasp its nature. However, knowledge is power, which is why this list will provide you with ten crucial facts about COVID-19 and tips for protecting yourself against misinformation and misleading media narratives. Stay informed through official updates, and you should be alright.

10. Understanding the Coronavirus: What Is It Exactly?

COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, a term that may not mean much to most people outside the fields of virology or immunology. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can infect mammals and birds. In humans, they can lead to respiratory infections, many of which can be treated with over-the-counter remedies. The familiar “common cold” is a result of a coronavirus, and while most coronaviruses are well-understood and only mildly bothersome, some can be deadly. COVID-19 refers to the outbreak of the disease caused by this virus, which stands for Coronavirus Disease 2019.

The virus itself has a more technical name, though it’s quite long: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. That acronym might ring a bell, considering the world experienced a similar SARS outbreak in 2003. These viruses are related, and some might jokingly refer to this as “SARS 2.0,” though it’s unlikely to hear virologists use that term in the media. In any case, COVID-19 is a coronavirus, and while it is spreading, it’s important to stay calm, prepare, and protect ourselves just as we would during cold and flu season.

9. The Origins of COVID-19

While it is widely accepted that the virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, its exact origins remain unclear. COVID-19 is believed to be a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be passed between animals and humans. This has led scientists to search for potential animal carriers of the virus. A close genetic match has been found between COVID-19 and two bat-derived Betacoronaviruses, indicating they are likely related. Initially, it was thought that bats were the source of the outbreak, which was traced to the Huanan Seafood Market, where exotic animals are sold.

Over time, Chinese researchers discovered that COVID-19 shares 99% of its genetic makeup with a virus found in pangolins, suggesting they may have been an intermediary host. However, this finding has not been officially confirmed, and much of the research remains unpublished. While pinpointing the exact origin of the virus could help virologists understand it better, it is not critical in terms of addressing the current spread of the disease, as it has already spread within the human population.

8. The Methods of COVID-19 Transmission

From the moment the world first heard about the Wuhan Coronavirus, concerns about its spread quickly mounted. Questions arose about how it was transmitted and what could be done to prevent it. While diseases like Ebola have long been feared, coronaviruses are much easier to transmit, primarily due to their method of infection and transmission. COVID-19 causes respiratory illness, which spreads most easily through a person's respiratory system. The virus spreads in two main ways: through direct person-to-person contact and by touching contaminated surfaces.

COVID-19 spreads from person to person, typically through close contact within a distance of about six feet. It is transmitted via respiratory droplets released when an individual coughs or sneezes. To reduce the spread of the disease, it is important to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Those who are infected should also wear a mask to minimize the chance of transmitting the virus. However, please heed the Surgeon General’s advice and only buy a mask if absolutely necessary:

Another method of transmission is through surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. For instance, if a countertop was exposed to respiratory droplets from a sneeze, the virus could be present on its surface. If you then touch the surface and proceed to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, you could become infected.

7. How COVID-19 Is Detected or Confirmed

A major challenge in detecting COVID-19 is its symptoms, which closely resemble those of the common cold. To address this, researchers worldwide have been racing to develop effective testing methods. One of the most promising approaches involves identifying the antibodies the body produces to combat the infection, rather than trying to detect the virus directly. These antibody tests, known as serological tests, are being perfected by a company in Singapore as a reliable method to detect COVID-19.

Although antibody tests are likely the quickest and simplest method to detect COVID-19, they aren’t the only option. Around the globe, other tests are in use that identify the virus’ genetic material in samples from a person’s saliva, nose, mouth, and even anus. These tests utilize the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, a molecular biology method that amplifies DNA billions of times for analysis. While these tests are capable of detecting the presence of COVID-19, they do not reveal whether someone has recovered from the virus.

6. Who Is At Risk

COVID-19 does not have any known immunity, meaning anyone can catch and transmit the virus. However, this does not mean that we should panic. Just because there’s a risk of infection does not mean immediate severe outcomes. While COVID-19 can be dangerous, like many illnesses, certain groups are more vulnerable. Children, healthcare workers, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to suffer serious health consequences from the virus.

When a healthy adult contracts the virus, they might not exhibit any symptoms and remain well. This is one reason the virus has managed to spread beyond Wuhan, China, to affect the world. Asymptomatic individuals become unrecognized carriers, and even when a healthy adult does show symptoms, they are often mild and resemble the common cold.

5. What Are The Symptoms Of COVID-19

The following section highlights the common symptoms of COVID-19, which are not particularly alarming, but the latter part will cover the more severe aspects of the disease. Don’t be frightened, as these are the worst-case symptoms that won’t affect the majority of infected individuals. The most common symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, which are similar to those of the common cold, but are among the mildest signs of the illness.

For those who are at higher risk due to a weakened immune system, or who meet the aforementioned risk criteria, symptoms can be much more severe. COVID-19 can increase the likelihood of developing pneumonia, cause organ failure, and, in some cases, lead to death. While these are the most extreme cases, all are concerning due to the ease of transmission from person to person.

4. COVID-19 Mortality Concerns

COVID-19 can indeed be fatal, but it’s not a global catastrophe like in Stephen King’s The Stand. The death rate for COVID-19 is estimated at 2.3%, a figure that, while appearing modest, is actually significant. In comparison, the flu’s mortality rate is only 0.1%, meaning that, for every 1,000 flu sufferers, one might succumb to the disease. These rates are determined by the case-fatality rate (CFR), a metric that divides the total number of deaths by the number of infections.

While COVID-19’s fatality rate is higher than that of the flu, it is still a mild illness for the majority of those infected. Most of the individuals who have died from COVID-19 in China have been elderly. Studies of those deaths indicate that for people aged 80 or older, the CFR is as high as 14.8%, while it stands at 8% for those aged 70 to 79. Individuals with pre-existing severe health conditions who contract the virus face a CFR of 49%, marking them as the most vulnerable population.

3. What To Do If You Think You’re Infected With COVID-19

The first thing to remember when facing a possible infection is the advice from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: 'Don’t Panic.' Panic won't help you or those around you, so focus on staying calm. If you start developing a fever alongside respiratory symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance. They’ll be able to ask the necessary questions to help determine if it’s a simple cold or something more serious.

If you suspect you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and think you might be infected, get tested as soon as possible. When leaving your home to go get checked, be responsible by covering your mouth and nose. Wearing a respirator or surgical mask is ideal, but if you don’t have one, a scarf or similar cloth will work. If your local hospital doesn’t have testing kits yet, contact your local public health department to find out the best location to go for a test.

2. COVID-19, HIV, & Other Conspiracy Theories

One reason there are so many conspiracy theories surrounding viruses like COVID-19 is the general lack of understanding about how they work. While some people may hear statements like, 'This virus may use mechanisms of other viruses such as HIV,' their imaginations can quickly spiral out of control. The claim was made by researchers at Nankai University, and yes, the virus does contain an HIV-like mutation. However, this does not mean someone engineered a form of HIV in a lab and unleashed it on the world, as some conspiracy theorists suggest. These types of mutations can occur naturally in various diseases.

The statement regarding viral mechanisms is directly related to efforts in combatting the virus. Research like this not only deepens our understanding but could eventually lead to breakthroughs in treatment or even a vaccine. You may have also come across absurd conspiracy theories, like the idea that a new 5G wireless infrastructure is the cause of the pandemic, but such claims are so far-fetched that they hardly merit serious discussion. The key takeaway when you encounter such stories is to critically evaluate their plausibility, check if they come from trustworthy sources, and apply common sense to any information you come across.

1. Avoid Becoming Infected

Mytour published an article on Top 10 Things You Need To Do To Prepare For The Coronavirus, which was more in line with an 'end of the world' scenario, so take it with a grain of salt (and perhaps a little more after reading the comments!). In reality, there are practical steps you can take to avoid getting infected, many of which are likely already part of your routine. Since COVID-19 is a coronavirus, transmitted much like the common cold, the most effective preventive measures include washing your hands with soap and warm water, avoiding touching your face after interacting with commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs, and steering clear of sick individuals when you go out.

Chances are, you're already following these guidelines, so there's no need to let COVID-19 completely disrupt your daily life or habits. If you're worried about being in places with large groups of potentially infected people, you can choose to avoid travel and crowded events, although that may not always be necessary. If wearing a face mask gives you peace of mind, feel free to do so, but make sure you choose the right type. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved four specific N95 respirators that may help prevent the spread of COVID-19: 3M Particulate Respirator 8670F, 3M Particulate Respirator 8612F, Pasture F550G Respirator, and the Pasture A520G Respirator. These masks are not recommended for children or men with facial hair, so it might be time to part with that ironic hipster beard!