Human health is likely the most talked about topic in America at this point. Unfortunately, misinformation, fear and numerous other issues incite panic. Some people are truly afraid to leave their homes. I believe in making informed decisions. It’s critical that we learn as much as we can about novel coronavirus facts. It’s equally important that we make sure we are consulting legitimate sources of information. (Author note: A trending Instagram or Facebook post is not necessarily a legitimate source of information.)
This post contains coronavirus facts you should know. Do your own fact-checking, cross-referencing, and, if you think it’s worthwhile, share it with others. If you also have helpful facts to share, add them in the comments. Be well, stay safe and be an independent thinker. Buying into the latest COVID-related gossip online isn’t going to help keep your family healthy. In addition to health concerns, many people have raised legitimate personal rights concerns during this pandemic as well. The coronavirus facts included in the following list address those issues, too.
The friction of hand washing kills coronavirus
Coronavirus cells have an outer lining or “envelope” that allows them to merge with host cells (in your body) to cause infection. A key to killing the novel virus is to break down that outer lining! While soap is good, the soap itself is not what is killing the coronavirus when you wash your hands. It is the friction of you rubbing your hands together and rinsing the microscopic cells away with water. When you rub your hands together, you destroy the outer lining on the virus cells, which impedes its ability to attach to your body’s cells to infect you. The water washes it all away. The soap makes it easier to create friction when you rub your hands together.
Coronavirus facts regarding hydrogen peroxide
You can read more about this in an article that Consumer Reports published online. Hydrogen peroxide (3%) is a staple product in my home, and has been for decades. There are many healthful benefits of using this product. One of them happens to be that it kills the novel coronavirus on surfaces. And, guess what? It is easier to kill this particular virus than it is to kill rhinovirus, which is the virus that causes the common cold!
Read that again, please. Share the information far and wide to help diminish public fear. In fact, it bears repeating: It is more difficult to kill the common cold virus on surfaces than it is to kill the novel coronavirus! According to the Consumer Reports article, it takes anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes for 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill rhinovirus on contact. This means it would take less time than that to kill the novel coronavirus.
Coronavirus is not randomly floating in the air like pollution
A recent newscast showed a lovely female reporter on site at the Pittsburgh International Airport. She was standing in an empty parking lot in the dark. When I say empty, I mean no one was there but her (and, I logically assume, her camera crew). She was wearing a face mask. I could hardly believe it. Why?! Why on earth would there be a health-related need to wear a face mask in an empty parking lot while doing a live news story? On what science is this based?
Is it possible to transmit this virus through the air? Yes, but unlikely. You’d have to be in close contact for an extended period of time with someone who was constantly talking, sneezing or coughing while you were inhaling. The novel coronavirus is not randomly floating around the air at the Pittsburgh International Airport (or anywhere!) like air pollution that is going to negatively affect your health when you breathe. It lands on surfaces, and if you touch those surfaces, then also touch your face, eyes or mouth without first washing your hands, you run a risk of infection.
There are always viruses on surfaces everywhere you go
There are thousands of microscopic virus cells on surfaces all over the earth. In your house, at the store, at the park — no matter where you go. This is not new. Washing your hands is the single most important factor toward avoiding virus infections in life. This is also not new.
State ordered quarantine
A question many people are asking lately is whether a state government has the power to order perfectly healthy people to quarantine at home. As with most legal issues, the answer is complex. A state government does have “police powers.” It can invoke such powers at its discretion to protect the safety, health or welfare of its citizens.
However, we, the people, are protected under due process laws. Such laws restrict a state’s police powers. For instance, an imposition of quarantine cannot be unreasonable, arbitrary or oppressive. (Am I the only one who finds that language ambiguous?) Disobeying a state order to quarantine can lead to minor offense criminal charges.
The Trump Administration has not shut down any businesses
The current quarantines related to coronavirus have crushed the U.S. economy. The shutting down of non-essential businesses has been governed at the state level. President Donald Trump is not responsible for prohibiting small business owners to remain open to the public. Approximately 46 state governors have issued such orders.
This issue evokes strong emotions, especially for those whose small, family-run businesses are their sole livelihoods. Who determines what is “essential” for the American people? Many would agree that if a small, family-run business is the only means for keeping food on the table and paying the bills, then it is absolutely “essential” for that family. Another legitimate question many people are asking is this: “On what medical science have governors based their assessments that it is dangerous to public health to enter a small business but not dangerous to enter large businesses such as Walmart, Target or Home Depot? It’s understandable that blue collar workers and small business owners want coronavirus facts, not speculation. Their lives depend on it.
The coronavirus is not going to disappear
I’m astounded by the number of people who have told me they are staying in their homes until the coronavirus is completely gone or the numbers of people testing positive go low enough that they are no longer afraid to leave their homes. If you’re reading this, please understand that the coronavirus is not going to disappear from the earth. Like influenza, various strains of it have already been in existence for years and will continue to surface annually.
One must question whether the publicity this particular virus gets is part of what is causing such a drastic transformation in the human psyche among the general population. People are literally afraid to step outside their doors. That, in itself, is not healthy. Yes, this virus, like ALL others, poses a legitimate concern. The concern is far more serious among the elderly population and those who have compromised immune systems. As for people who are not elderly or do not have compromised immune systems, the risks are similar to most other viruses. The survival rate for the novel coronavirus is very high! Consider a more positive perspective to help lessen fears!
If you’re age 39 or under, the current COVID-19 fatality rate is less than 0.2 %. If you’re an average, healthy person in your forties, your risk increases to approximately 0.4 %. Anyone with even a minimal amount of common sense can see that that’s good news!
