An important studying information to know the coronavirus

On March 11, the World Well being Group formally declared the Covid-19 coronavirus a worldwide pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak originated in Wuhan, China, however it has now unfold to a lot of the world and is surging in locations like Italy, Iran, and South Korea. World confirmed instances continue to rise, together with within the US. In response, staff have been despatched house, conferences have been canceled, retailer cabinets have been emptied, a democratic nation has been put below nationwide quarantine, and the worldwide financial system is below serious threat. It’s secure to say this is without doubt one of the most severe public well being crises in many years, if not a century.

It’s overwhelming — together with for these of us masking it. However if you happen to’re simply getting in control, otherwise you wish to dig deeper, right here’s a (not-comprehensive, however nonetheless expansive!) record of among the articles, papers, podcasts, and interviews we’ve discovered most helpful, from each Vox and elsewhere.

Begin right here

9 questions about the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, answered, Vox

What’s the coronavirus? What can I do to stop getting it? What ought to I do if I feel I’ve it? When will the outbreak finish? This piece solutions all of those questions and extra, so if you happen to’re brief on time, begin right here.

9 charts that explain the coronavirus pandemic, Vox

For visible learners. This chart is especially telling, and scary. As you’ll see in items all through this information, America’s failure to check aggressively sufficient and early sufficient has set the stage for a way more harmful epidemic than was essential:

Christina Animashaun/Vox

Coronavirus 101: Signs, unfold, and severity

Naming the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and the virus that causes it, WHO

You’ve most likely heard a number of totally different names for this new virus thrown round: “coronavirus,” “Covid-19,” possibly even “SARS-CoV-2.” This brief publish explains the delicate however necessary variations between these designations.

How Deadly Is Coronavirus? What We Know and What We Don’t, New York Instances

This piece does an ideal job of breaking down how case fatality charge (CFR) is calculated, why the quantity is usually inflated (and typically deflated) on the outbreak of a brand new illness, and the place epidemiologists usually agree the precise CFR for Covid-19 stands (nearer to 1 %).

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) overview, Our World in Knowledge

Visualizes the most recent analysis and information on coronavirus whole instances, development charge, severity, signs, fatality threat, and extra. OWD’s customized charts and graphs make the massive swaths of information simply accessible.

Visual: Johns Hopkins Covid-19 interactive map

This interactive map from Johns Hopkins offers up-to-date counts of whole confirmed Covid-19 coronavirus instances worldwide, country-by-country breakdowns, and dying and restoration charges.

How does the new coronavirus spread? These new studies offer clues. Vox

This piece seems at current analysis on how the coronavirus spreads from individual to individual. Latest research present that the virus transmits primarily through droplets from coughing or sneezing and might unfold even when folks don’t have any signs or are simply starting to really feel sick.

Report: The WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019, World Well being Group

This report is necessary for quite a lot of causes. One is that it established the broadly referenced baseline for Covid-19 signs. Based mostly on 55,924 confirmed instances in China, the WHO established the 2 commonest signs of these contaminated as a fever (88 %) and a dry cough (67.7 %). Much less frequent signs embrace sputum, or thick mucus from coughs (33.four %), shortness of breath (18.6 %), sore throat (13.9 %), and headache (13.6 %).

Study: On the origin and continuing evolution of SARS-CoV-2, Nationwide Science Evaluate

This research carried out inhabitants genetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 genomes, discovering two distinct strains of the virus. The primary — a extra aggressive and extreme pressure known as the “L kind” — was prevalent within the preliminary outbreak in China however has since decreased in frequency. The second, a extra gentle pressure known as the “S kind,” was much less prevalent within the early outbreak however has elevated in relative frequency since. The existence of those two separate strains might probably clarify potential discrepancies in reported signs and case fatality charges between China and different nations.

Study: Children at similar risk of infection and transmission as general population, Chilly Spring Harbor Laboratory

Preliminary information appeared to point that kids have been being contaminated by coronavirus at far decrease charges than adults. Nonetheless, this research in China of 391 instances and 1,286 of their shut contacts concludes that “kids are at comparable threat of an infection as the overall inhabitants, although much less more likely to have extreme signs.” Put one other approach, kids could also be experiencing much less extreme signs of the coronavirus, however they’re nonetheless more likely to be carriers and thus might act as asymptomatic transmitters.

What you are able to do

Preparing for Coronavirus to Strike the US, Scientific American

“We should always put together, not as a result of we might really feel personally in danger,” writes Zeynep Tufekci, “however in order that we can assist reduce the chance for everybody. We should always put together not as a result of we face a doomsday situation out of our management, however as a result of we are able to alter each side of this threat we face as a society.”

This piece makes the case that the hassle to “flatten the curve” by way of habits modifications reminiscent of social distancing is an ethical and civic responsibility in addition to a private choice.

CDC guidelines on what to do if you’re sick, Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention

You probably have a confirmed case of the Covid-19 coronavirus illness however don’t want instant medical consideration, well being professionals recommend self-isolation. In line with the CDC, this self-isolation ought to embrace staying at house (besides to get medical care), separating your self from different folks (and pets) in your house, cleansing all “high-touch” surfaces, and washing one’s palms typically. This guide additionally features a record of precautions for family members/companions/caregivers of contaminated people.

Six things you can do now to get ready for an outbreak, Vox

This outlines the six key steps that every one of us ought to take to not solely stop ourselves from getting sick however put together our lives for what’s to come back (and in some ways is already taking place). It consists of info on how one can finest wash your palms, whether or not or to not purchase a face masks, and the significance of psychological preparation within the face of a pandemic.

Coronavirus: Why you must act now, Medium

This piece does a pleasant job outlining the important position of time within the coronavirus response: We’re residing in an exponential curve proper now, and the distinction of some days will be the dividing line between a profitable coverage and an uncontrolled outbreak.

Study: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review, NCBI

This 2018 meta-analysis checked out 15 research of how the observe of office social distancing (e.g., elevated use of telecommuting and remote-meeting choices, staggered work hours, and spacing staff farther aside) impacted the unfold of the H1N1 flu in 2009. The authors discovered that office social distancing measures alone “produced a median discount of 23% within the cumulative influenza assault charge within the basic inhabitants” (along with delaying and lowering the height influenza assault charge). This outbreak occurred below totally different circumstances than the Covid-19 outbreak, however the basic lesson is evident: Social distancing works.

How canceled events and self-quarantines save lives, in one chart, Vox

Christina Animashaun/Vox

The first issue that can decide the severity of the coronavirus’s impression is the velocity at which the outbreak happens. The phrase “flatten the curve” has grow to be a well-liked technique to describe the significance of how we as a society can change our collective habits to gradual the speed of coronavirus instances and stop our well being care system from being overwhelmed. This piece explains the time period itself, the chart behind it, and why it’s so necessary stop an awesome burden on our well being care system.

Study: Therapeutic and triage strategies for 2019 novel coronavirus disease in fever clinics, The Lancet

This research outlines the perfect observe methods for diagnosing and treating Covid-19 from the perspective of hospitals and clinics, however will also be useful for people experiencing signs. The 2 highest-concern signs are “dyspnea” (the sensation of shortness of breath) and “hypoxia” (having a low degree of oxygen in your blood). The research notes that sufferers presenting with these signs needs to be instantly despatched into isolation (and obtain requisite medical care if wanted); whereas for these exhibiting different signs, further testing is required to find out whether or not the affected person has contracted Covid-19.

The worldwide response to coronavirus

How does the coronavirus outbreak end?, Vox

Following the preliminary outbreak of coronavirus in China, the specialists agreed the way in which to finish the outbreak was easy: containment. Now, with instances persevering with to unfold all through the world, scientists suppose the containment situation is unlikely. This piece offers an summary of varied eventualities for the way the outbreak might finish, starting from “nightmare” to “fortunate.” One necessary takeaway is that the severity of Covid-19’s impression on our societies is a direct operate of how we collectively select to reply to it.

The most important lessons from China’s Covid-19 response, Vox

This interview with Bruce Aylward, WHO’s assistant director basic who led the group’s mission to China, explores the massive…