About COVID-19 – COVID-19 Central
This about page was adapted from the Student-Senior Isolation Prevention Partnership (SSIPP) to help answer questions that the general population may ask regarding COVID-19. Though we have tried to include as much relevant information as possible, if you have additional questions or have any suggestions for this guide, feel free to email us at contact@covid19central.ca or visiting the About Us page.
Isn’t this like the flu?
What conditions predispose me to higher risk of complications from COVID-19?
How long do I have to practice self-isolation?
COVID-19 is a coronavirus that leads to respiratory infection. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Some human coronaviruses spread easily between people, while others do not and your risk of severe disease will vary by factors such as age and other pre-existing conditions.
The following video provides a helpful introduction to the evolution of COVID-19:
Respiratory droplets that spread when you cough or sneeze
Current evidence suggests person-to-person spread is common when there is close contact.
For a helpful visual explanation of how COVID-19 infects and replicates inside cells, please see this interactive guide from the New York Times.
Based on the percentage of those who die from both (0.1% for flu vs 0.5-1.5% for COVID-19), you are 15x more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to flu. 15% of those with COVID-19 will get severe disease (low oxygen levels) compared to 1.8% of those with the flu, and 5% of those with COVID-19 will be considered critically ill (lung failure, falling BP) compared to 0.27% with flu.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Adapted from the County of Los Angeles Public Health
Avoid close contact with people who are ill (stay 2 metres away at minimum)
Avoid visiting hospitals and long-term care facilities
Avoid having visitors at home as much as possible
For visitors coming into the home, please ask them to stay 2 metres away and wash their hands
Opt for delivery options and have items dropped off outside
Place a signage outside your door (example below) to alert others and protect yourself:
Source: Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association
You most likely will not need to wear a mask. If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are in close proximity to someone suspected to have COVID-19 at home. If you are coughing or sneezing and suspect you may have COVID-19, you can wear a mask to avoid spread of the virus to others.
It’s important to remember that masks are only effective if used with proper sanitation practices (see previous question) and if worn properly! Disposable face masks can only be used once (do not wear it again after taking it off). Before wearing the mask, wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer. Take mask by the straps and orient it so the colored side faces outward and the metal strip part is at the top. Place the mask to your face and the straps over your ears. Then, pinch the metal strip to the bridge of your nose and pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and chin. When taking your mask off, remove the straps from your ears and make sure that the front of the mask does not touch you or your clothes. After disposing of the mask, wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
A video example of how to use a surgical mask properly can be found here:
We are talking a lot with patients about the importance of putting masks on, but not much about how to do it. I did this for my clinical setting today. @CFMSFEMC could a dream team of students do this w better video quality for all of us? @SolidFooting pic.twitter.com/sfEC7y3zM7
— Dr. Sarah Newbery (@snewbery1) March 17, 2020
At the moment, we do not know exactly for how long we should practice self-isolation. It could be for weeks, months or even longer. Please keep following the advice from Public Health Ontario and stay informed by listening to your local news channel which has been updating the public on a daily basis.
A how to self-isolate fact sheet from Public Health Ontario can be found here.
The information in this doc has been compiled with sources from:
Ontario Health: The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Link)
World Health Organization: Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19) (Link)
Ontario’s self assessment tool: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/#emergencyInfo
Public Health Agency of Canada: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Prevention and risks (Link)
CPSO: COVID-19 FAQS for patients (Link)
CAMH https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19#coping
COVID-19 Canadian Financial Assistance doc (created by medical students)
With additional help from FAQs compiled by medical students Jordynn Klein and Jeremy Rosh
Additional question-specific resources listed throughout document