CORONAVIRUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A brand-new outbreak, so young as to have begun only in December, has already infected tens of thousands of people, with likely many more to come.

2019-nCoV, or the Wuhan coronavirus, as it is being informally called, is the microscopic, respiratory ravager to blame.

This nickname originated from the location of its birthplace, most likely being the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The virus is theorized to have spread from within a live-animal and seafood market in the area, with most early identified cases being pinpointed to visits to the exact location. Sanitary conditions in this market were observed to have been rather poor, and along with other more common foods, the market often carried various forms of bushmeat (meat from wildlife species) vulnerable to contamination.

The coronavirus has already spread thousands of miles, to countries including Australia, Russia, and the United States.

It was just a matter of time, then, that a case was reported a little too close to home for comfort – in Everett, Washington, just north of Seattle, about 200 miles north of Portland.

Thankfully, this initial Washington state patient has since been discharged – with no serious complications – but to say the close proximity was a bit uncomfortable for Oregonians is an understatement.

The new virus has already surpassed the early 2000s SARS epidemic within China, in terms of its death toll. Wuhan, the city, has undergone a lockdown in hopes of sealing the disease at its source. While many American airports have proposed, or are currently conducting screenings of incoming passengers from the area, it appears the matter of stopping a spread is a bit trickier than it may seem. The incubation period of the coronavirus within the body can vary from as little as two days to as many as 14, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and therefore it could pass from individual to individual while still undetected. And having gone undetected, of course, its human host would have no obvious reason to practice greater caution.

It does not help, either, that immediate symptoms do not paint as detailed a picture as one might want: Early sensations that indicate presence of the coronavirus are practically identical to that of a standard influenza episode, and may even be as subtle as to resemble a simple case of the common cold.

At this point in time, the best advice that can be given to each of us is to simply be as aware of our surroundings and potentially unhygienic habits, as possible. In the Pacific Northwest, we are far from needing to don medical face masks during public outings, but still, we cannot be too careful.

With routine hand-washing and close observation of any possible symptoms, we are doing the best we can to protect ourselves. We must continue doing our best for the sake of those around us (particularly the very young and very old among us) during this risky time, as well.

The health and safety of MHCC’s students, faculty and staff are always the top priority, so the college is encouraging everyone in our campus community to take the following everyday precautions for preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, per the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Anyone on campus who is experiencing flu-like symptoms should call their healthcare provider. Further information on Novel Coronavirus can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html and MHCC’s Administrative Regulation on Infectious Disease can be found at https://mhcc.edu/AR-4080-F/.