Table of Contents
Novel coronavirus: credible resources and incredible people
Originally published March 17, 2020; updated with more awesomeness April 24, May 28, and September 14.
So. Much. Misinformation. About. The. Novel. Coronavirus.
If you’ve seen conflicting info, there are two reasons for it:
- This is a novel virus introducing itself to humans for the first time just a few months ago, so we’re gathering new info about it every day. The science is progressing very, very quickly, but we still don’t know everything yet. We DO know the most important thing: how to stop spreading it. This is by frequent proper handwashing and staying physically distant from people you don’t live with. Also, new research is showing the benefits of masks in close quarters where staying 2m/6′ away from people is literally impossible (e.g., public transit). See the “What we can all do to prevent the spread” section below for more info.
- It’s been several months now and people are legit getting tired of staying home and are worried about the long-term health, economic, and other impacts. Stress can make some people susceptible to believing and sharing information—any information—that provides a path to normal ASAP. Some are recommending actions that are not based on the most recent, best science (e.g., like opening up stores and workplaces). While this information may be well-meaning, maybe it was created by people who know *just enough* to be dangerous or even those who simply make sh!t up (listen to science, not science fiction). I’m pretty cognizant of this so, all of the sources listed below are from credible experts. Also, as we learn more with more research and a better understanding of the virus, some info *will* change. And that’s a GOOD thing! I mean, imagine we were trapped in the knowledge of the early 1800s before knowing how much disease can be prevented with simple handwashing! Our understanding keeps progressing as science continues to unravel how things work.
Here’s an example of blatant misinformation that was circulating in the first half of 2020: Some rando on Twitter tried to convince me that I need a full hazmat suit and goggles just to go outside. Yes, outside where the air is FRESH and not coughed on! She was either convinced that this is true or was trying to befriend influence me with a sophisticated disinformation campaign because Bot Sentinel said she wasn’t a bot. (I checked!)
She personally reached out to reply to me with her very-concerned-for-my-health sounding tweet after I shared that simple soap and water inactivates the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the one that causes COVID-19)—which it does (evidence for this is shared below).
So I asked her who is recommending hazmat suits?
Her response was a three paragraph article that the virus *may* be aerosol.
Clearly no experts were recommending hazmat suits and goggles. They still aren’t. Especially not outside.
In a nutshell:
Beware of people who aren’t experts who have “done their own research” & “found something truly disturbing” about COVID-19 that they had to share in a thread/blog post. They are likely misinterpreting the data & scaring people.
— Jonathan “Social Distancing” Jarry (@crackedscience) March 13, 2020
This post is a curation of credible information about the novel coronavirus from trusted health authorities. Their websites are being updated regularly as new information emerges, so keep your eyes on them. Things are changing quickly as testing is ramping up and many places are reopening. Follow the *actual* public health experts who’ve studied this so we can learn from history and new knowledge and technology.
I am one of those people who is getting a bit tired of staying home. I 100 percent will continue to do so, and handwash, and physically distance, etc. But, I get it. I want to go out for dinner at a cosy little restaurant close by. I want to visit my family and friends. I want to head out to concerts and enjoy crowded areas once in a while. But, I understand that fighting a contagious pandemic is a marathon, not a sprint. And I know that what we do today will directly impact how our families, communities, provinces, countries, and the world will fare in the upcoming weeks and months.
I know there will be a light at the end of this tunnel. How bright it shines will depend on all of our day-to-day actions.
Here’s my question to you: Considering what we know right now about:
- How contagious this is (very)
- That there are many people who have no symptoms and spread it (it’s hard to track and prevent when some people who are infected feel fine)
- How many people it harms (mainly older adults and those with other conditions, but no one is truly safe—not kids, not college athletes, not healthy adults—no one is guaranteed to have no symptoms or be free of serious health effects in the long run)
- There is no cure (hydroxychloroquine hasn’t panned out, corticosteroids seem to help with some symptoms) and we may be a year out before a safe, effective, universally available vaccine is ready
- How well testing, tracing, and isolating infected people is working in your area
What would look like a win to you? Please add this to the comments below!
(This post is looong. Feel free to read it all or scroll up to the Table of Contents and click on the section you’re particularly interested in.)
Let’s dive in.
What we’ve learned over the summer about the novel coronavirus
- The inaccurate script for COVID-19 is that it’s “mild” for most & kills only a few. From @edyong209: “That caricature was sketched before the new coronavirus even had a name; instead of shifting in the light of fresh data, it calcified.”
Excellent read. https://t.co/nhDxAhjrh7
— Jodi Ettenberg (@legalnomads) August 20, 2020
What is #COVID19? This JAMA Patient Page provides an overview of COVID-19 transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, disease course, and treatment #Coronavirus #SARSCoV2 https://t.co/ISJ9Poeynz
— JAMA Internal Medicine (@JAMAInternalMed) August 23, 2020
What we can all do to prevent the spread of the (people and economy-killing) virus
Some people hoard toilet paper, while others party or rally in huge groups indoors without masks. This virus literally cannot spread without us spreading it, so let’s all do our part to protect each other.
If there is just one takeaway from this post, heed what your local (regional/provincial/state) or country public health experts are saying. Different regions have different needs, demographics, supply chains, and medical capacities. And if your political or media spokespeople are saying something opposite from your public health experts, listen to the experts.
In other words, If you’re not being told how to do things safely (yes, let’s continue to do things SAFELY); like: stay home when sick, cough/sneeze into your elbow (not hands), physically distance, wash your hands thoroughly and often, stop touching your face, and wear a nose/mouth covering when in closed spaces/crowded places/close contact; get your info here:
- WHO updates on the novel coronavirus pandemic
- The European Centre for Disease Control
- The National Institutes of Health
- Coronavirus resources from the Public Health Agency of Canada (also follow your province/regional/city health unit)
*The most important things to do*
Stay home if you’re sick
- Please do this.
- Just do it.
- Do it.
- Thank you.
Socialize safely (“physical/social distancing”)
Going out? Make informed choices to keep everyone safer. Learn more about ways you can minimize your risk of #COVID19 & help protect people around you when heading out: https://t.co/xQF97p7gRN pic.twitter.com/FPUeqJLO7h
— Toronto Public Health (@TOPublicHealth) August 19, 2020
- Most (all?) countries’ recommendations are to stay AT LEAST 1m (3′) away from others. Some countries have doubled this to 2m/6′. These are what’s called “physical” or “social” distancing.
- In Canada, we’ve been in varying stages of this since about March 14 and we’ve been able to “reopen” many businesses, workplaces, recreation/community centres, etc. over the summer. They’ve been at 10-50 percent capacity, sometimes requiring reservations to be made in advance. I’ve definitely enjoyed a few restaurant meals, outdoor public swimming pools, conservation area hikes/boat rides, and even renting a cottage for a week. I mean, large gatherings haven’t happened (e.g., concerts, Canada’s Wonderland, The Ex, filled sports stadiums), but overall it’s been a fairly “normal” summer with low transmission of the virus because most of us have been following public health guidelines (e.g., distancing) and enjoying the great outdoors.
- I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want these pubic health measures to be temporary. Everyone wants to move past these. Even public health experts.
2/2 A few #COVID19 #SocialDistancing tips:
➡️Stay 2 metres apart
➡️Avoid crowded places
➡️If you must go out, consider off-peak hours
➡️If you are sick, stay home
For more information on being prepared: https://t.co/GEvLCV9c2b— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) March 17, 2020
WHY WE NEED SOCIAL DISTANCING, as illustrated by Scrubs.
pic.twitter.com/uLxE4MbaAC— In the House like Cool J. (@naima) March 15, 2020
- Want to see a brilliant video of how social distancing works when more and more of us stop touching people and stay home unless we really need something? Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve,” by the Washington Post
- Why we need to take action before things seem bad. This is how diseases spread (8 min video).
If you’re advised to self-monitor or isolate, do it
- Here are the Canadian recommendations for self-monitoring, self-isolation, and isolation for COVID-19
- Coronavirus, Social Distancing and Self Quarantine: John’s Hopkins
Help prevent the spread of #COVID19 by practicing #SocialDistancing. While you may not feel sick, we ask that you be mindful of those more vulnerable in our community & thank you for your efforts to keep everyone healthy. More info: https://t.co/ZFIuRwDgA9 pic.twitter.com/7QjBaVszgJ
— Toronto Public Health (@TOPublicHealth) March 17, 2020
What do we *really* know about airborne transmission and masks now (that we didn’t know in March)?
Wash your hands thoroughly and often
“Wash your hands like you’ve been chopping jalapeños and need to change a contact lens” says BC Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry re. ways to protect against #coronavirus #Covid_19
— Ron Vezina (@Vez_says) March 4, 2020
- Prevention is key, this is why handwashing is one of the key lines of defense and is extremely important everywhere.
- PRO TIP: Wash your hand towels more often, too.
- Why soap works with this SARS-CoV-2 virus by Chemistry Professor, Dr. Palli Thordarson.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (with at least 60% alcohol) are effective against enveloped viruses like coronaviruses (even though they’re not effective against all viruses), by Dr Manal Mohammed, Lecturer of Medical Microbiology.
Stop touching your face
- This is so, so hard for me (but I’m trying)! Here’s how it spreads viruses and why it’s so hard to stop, by StatNews.
Cover coughs and sneezes (with your elbow or a tissue)
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue—not your hands! Never your hands.
Clean frequently touched areas
- Like doorknobs, cupboard handles, light switches, toilet flush handles, your cell phone screen, etc.
Dr. @PayalKohliMD answers questions about #coronavirus / #COVIDー19…
Can food be contaminated? pic.twitter.com/i9QPpaHWQy
— Daily Blast LIVE (@dailyblastlive) March 13, 2020
Simple illustrated easy-to-read resources to share far and wide
- Here’s a COVID-19 Information Sheet created by Epidemiologist Assistant Professor Dr. Ellie Murray (contains: avoid crowds, stay home if you’re sick, clean frequently used surfaces, cover coughs and sneezes, clean your hands often)
- 2019 novel coronavirus illustrated mini-course created by Virologist and Health Science Writer Dr. Shauna Bennet.
What we know so far about the novel coronavirus
- To keep track of this novel coronavirus pandemic, you can check out Our World in Data.
- Free course from MIT: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and the Pandemic
- Multidisciplinary course through the University of Illinois that looks at the pandemic through the lens of anthropology, mental health, the arts, food, education, economics, etc.: COV-Course
- Join 129,000+ people in this COVID course through Imperial College London: Science Matters: Let’s Talk About COVID-19
Why do the info and recos keep changing?
People who disagree with my take on (hydroxychloroquine/masks/Trump/whatever) looooove quote tweeting this back at me, presumably to underscore that I was WRONG and lack credibility. So I’d like to take a moment to talk about uncertainty. https://t.co/26UXjEf0je
— Dr. Angela Rasmussen (@angie_rasmussen) May 25, 2020
When a scientist says “This paper doesn’t show this” or “We don’t have enough evidence to say”
They are not saying it’s wrong. Or that it will never be shown. They are saying we all need to be really careful how we interpret this.#COVID19 #SARSCoV2
1/13
— Dr Emma Hodcroft (@firefoxx66) April 21, 2020
Signs and symptoms versus the cold, flu, and allergies
- Signs and symptoms of mild vs severe COVID-19 infection: Medscape
- COVID-19 symptoms compared to the common cold, flu, and allergies published by Business Insider based on information from the CDC, WHO, and ACAAI
Acetaminophen/Paracetamol vs Ibuprofen
- As of March 21, there is no longer an official reco against use of ibuprofen. Here’s where the mixed messages came from (and why):
“Scientists and doctors around the world are banding together in exceptional ways, sharing their data, opining, interpreting and modelling. The speed of knowledge acquisition is also unusual: after learning of this new disease in last December, scientists published the virus’ genetic code in early January of this year. As information races in, journalists and social media influencers will be quick to share the data but don’t be surprised if it changes rapidly. Science is like a dog on a leash, sniffing left, sniffing right, but eventually moving in one clear direction. With COVID-19, that dog is on rollerblades. Hang on to something. It’s going to be quite a ride.”
“Flatten the curve” means what, exactly?
- You’ve heard we need to “flatten the curve”—it means we keep from spreading it too far too fast so our hospitals and medical facilities don’t all get overwhelmed at once. From a personal perspective, it means doing all the things mentioned above (wash hands thoroughly and often, stop touching your face, cover coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue, clean frequently touched areas, avoid physical contact, self-isolate or quarantine when asked to, and stay home if you’re sick).
If you only learn one thing about #COVID19 today make it this: everyone’s job is to help FLATTEN THE CURVE. With thanks to @XTOTL & @TheSpinoffTV for the awesome GIF. Please share far & wide. pic.twitter.com/O7xlBGAiZY
— Dr Siouxsie Wiles (@SiouxsieW) March 8, 2020
How long do coronaviruses last on surfaces?
- A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine as of March 17, 2020, says that the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the current novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19) has similar surface stability to the SARS-CoV-1 virus (the virus that causes SARS). It’s viable on:
- copper, up to 4 hours
- cardboard, up to 24 hours
- stainless steel, about 48-72 hours
- plastic, about 72 hours
The cool science behind the tests for the novel coronavirus
There are two kinds of tests. The first one tests for the presence of the viral genome. That means they’re looking for the virus itself. The second kind of test is to see whether your immune system has already encountered the SARS-CoV-2 virus or not. Has it produced antibodies to fight it off better next time?
I have received a lot of questions lately about COVID-19 testing, so my team put together this handy chart to explain the difference between the two main types of test. pic.twitter.com/fmneWp79Yf
— Dr. Mona Nemer (@ChiefSciCan) May 5, 2020
- How the coronavirus test works (we’re literally testing its genes), by McGill Office for Science in Society.
#Coronavirus Detection & #COVID19 Diagnosis:
🧬Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR)
🧬Extract viral #RNA from sample
🧬Convert to #DNA by reverse transcriptase
🧬#Amplify by PCR
🧬#Detect amplified DNA (gene in SARS-CoV-2) = (+)
🧬No amplified DNA = (-) pic.twitter.com/VbIJKMSuzX
— Laurel Coons 🧬🧬🧬 (@LaurelCoons) March 14, 2020
Getting individual testing kits, vaccines, and treatments
Because this is a brand-spanking-new virus, there are lots of clinical trials registered to research different tests and how accurate they are. Right now, there is no concrete timeline when these will be available, but they may come around fast, so keep your eyes peeled on your local or country public health unit.
Beware of unauthorized or fake testing kits, masks, etc. being smuggled or advertised. Many are being seized by authorities. I’ve seen people hawking “remedies” and “cures.”
Don’t trust randos on the internet.
The best thing we can do now is to not get it, nor spread it.
Every day we’re learning more. When any vaccines or treatments are shown to be both safe and effective, they will likely be made available after being reviewed by your government’s regulatory system.
One of the hardest things to accept is the lack of concrete answers. I get it! I want them, too. I don’t want to be cooped up and have my kids miss school for months. I don’t want to worry about my parents and in-laws getting this. I want this to go away. We just have to keep riding this out for a while until we can beat it. For now, #PreventionIsTheBestMedicine
We can do this together!
Medications and treatments for COVID-19
A lot of medicines and treatments are being tested. As the research results come in we’ll learn more, however, as of April 13, there really isn’t anything that’s shown to be safe and effective (and I’m sure you know better than to try using strong UV light or disinfectant inside or full-strength on your body 🤦♀️).
Here’s the COVID-19 treatment and vaccine tracker from STAT News. And here’s an image illustrating what viral features and processes are being targeted for these new treatments (Journal of the American Medical Association). Note that this image was from April, so it’s a bit outdated already, but it’s a really good illustration of how drug targets are chosen for different treatment options.
You might have seen a “scientific study” that said chloroquine can cure #COVID19…and then another one that shows that it can’t. Wondering what’s up with this? Are scientists lying to us? Are they just confused? Usually not. It all has to do with how we do science. A thread.
— Jen Heemstra (@jenheemstra) April 12, 2020
What about supplements, foods, and a healthy lifestyle?
Prevention is always the best medicine so keeping your distance, washing your hands, etc. will have the most power to protect you from getting and spreading the novel coronavirus.
Having said that, there is a small amount of evidence that certain supplements may help to reduce the risk of respiratory infections like the common cold or flu (not on the novel coronavirus). These are Vitamins C and D and zinc lozenges. There is also at least one study looking into the possibility that IV vitamin C may help those who become infected.
Don’t be fooled that these can prevent or treat a coronavirus infection—they can’t. Healthy lifestyle habits are associated with better immune function. Get enough quality sleep. Eat more healthy and nutritious foods. Do physical activity. But, don’t stop washing your hands and staying physically distant from others.
For more details about supplements and lifestyle interventions, see Examine’s review of supplements for coronavirus.
And, Health Canada issued a warning about health products that make false or misleading claims to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.
How do we reopen safely?
If we want to prevent spreading the virus, there are a few things we need to get right. One of these is to be able to find and isolate people who have the virus (instead of having everyone stay home as much as possible—we can probably agree that lockdowns suck). This will need very rigorous testing, tracing all of the people who they were in contact with (contact tracing), and mandatory isolation for the person with the infection and all of their recent contacts.
Another thing is to understand how many people may be immune to the virus already. This would mean testing for antibodies in the immune system to know that you’ve been exposed. And knowing for how long after exposure you’ll be immune to the virus. Once we are exposed, do we have lifelong immunity? There are still a few answers we need before we can make informed decisions (see the thread):
Antibody tests for #COVID19 will give us much needed info on a large scale population level.
We simply don’t know how many people have been exposed or *may* be immune at this time.
*If* these tests are reliable AND we can test millions of people ➡️ we’ll be much more informed pic.twitter.com/0yEqz3xYQc
— Dr. Dave Stukus (@AllergyKidsDoc) April 21, 2020
How the pandemic is affecting food, agriculture, groceries, and cooking
Where’d this virus even come from?
Viruses are unpredictable
- Here’s an infographic on the history of pandemics. Humans have consistently been exposed to pandemics throughout history. We’ve survived several over the centuries (this novel coronavirus is not a new phenomenon, just a new strain of an ever-evolving virus). Note that the number for the novel coronavirus will continue to increase until it’s over.
Viruses are always one step ahead of us
They’re not smart! They just replicate really, really fast and make mistakes while they’re at it. Those random “mistakes” can sometimes result in a whole new infectious disease. Kinda like how random mistakes can cause several cancers. Random mistakes happen. Naturally.
- How viruses stay one step ahead of our efforts to kill them, by Susannah Loche at Vox.
- Mutations and evolution of viruses, with examples of the flu and seasonal coronaviruses, by Scientist Trevor Bedford.
- Viruses also have the ability to “jump” species. Once in a while, new (“novel”) strains infect humans.
How a virus invades your body
How A #Virus Invades Your Body:
🦠A virus particle attaches to a #host cell
🦠Releases its #genetic instructions into host cell
🦠Recruits host cell’s enzymes
🦠Enzymes make parts for new virus particles
🦠New particles assemble parts into new viruses
🦠Particles break free pic.twitter.com/qScmxzLa37
— Laurel Coons 🧬🧬🧬 (@LaurelCoons) March 5, 2020
How your immune system works
Your immune system doesn’t stop you from getting infected (that’s what all the staying home, hand washing, etc. does). Instead, it helps your body to fight viruses and bacteria after they get into your body.
What do we know about the novel coronavirus and autoimmunity or immunodeficiency?
Ideally, a healthy immune system works to fight disease-promoting invaders that get into your body while leaving your own cells alone. Autoimmunity is when your immune system works a bit too hard and starts attacking not just invading infections, but your own cells. Immunodeficiency is the opposite; when the immune system isn’t attacking invading infections enough.
As of now, the prevailing wisdom is to prevent COVID-19 with clean hands, staying home, etc.
How this novel coronavirus pandemic is affecting small businesses
How this novel coronavirus pandemic is bringing out the best in people, what to do when you’re distancing, how you can help, plus a few laughs
Conclusion
Go to credible sources only. Experts include: the WHO, your local public health office, epidemiologists, virologists, and science communicators. Do they all agree all the time—especially in this age of constant new research and information? No. How do you know who to believe? Go with the consensus of *most* experts from around the world. These is what should be informing your public health department.
Science is self-correcting; it may go a bit off-track here and there, but that’s why we keep challenging our current knowledge, asking more questions, and doing more, bigger, and better studies!
Signing off and toasting: To credible resources and our ongoing challenge of pulling it all together in real-time!
Over to you
Here’s my question to you: Considering what we know right now about:
- How contagious this is (very)
- That there are many people who have no symptoms and spread it (it’s hard to track and prevent when some people who are infected feel fine)
- How many people it harms (mainly older adults and those with other conditions, but no one is truly safe—not kids, not healthy adults—no one is guaranteed to have no symptoms or be free of serious health effects)
- There is no good treatment (hydroxychloroquine hasn’t panned out) and we may be 1-2 years out before a safe, effective, universally available vaccine is ready
- How well testing, tracing, and isolating infected people is working in your area
What would look like a win to you? Please add this to the comments below!
I’d love to know (in the comments below)!
Want a fairly constant flow of credible health information (and content marketing strategy)? Follow me on Twitter.
[convertkit form=1236256]
Leave a Reply