7 reasons not to panic over the coronavirus epidemic

There is only talk about COVID-19. On the streets - gloomy faces in medical masks and respirators, on the Internet - an endless stream of news about sick and dead people. The borders are closed, a self-isolation regime has been introduced, trips are canceled, plans are thwarted. It seems that everything is hopeless. But there are a few things you can do to help ease your anxiety.

1. Not everyone is sick with coronavirus

Yes, there are a lot of cases. At the time of this writing, 860,000 cases have been reported worldwide. But this is not all people on the globe. Take the same China from which it all began. There COVID-19 was detected in 82 thousand people, although the country's population is 1.4 billion. Now China has almost coped with the epidemic; over the past day, only 36 new cases of infection have been established there.

This suggests that if you limit social contacts and seek medical help on time, the epidemic can be stopped. And there is a chance that the infection will not affect you and your loved ones.

2. Most of the sick recover

Both doctors and statistics speak about this: almost 180 thousand people have successfully coped with the disease. This does not mean that you need to treat coronavirus infection lightly, like a common cold. But still, it is not worth equating it with the bubonic plague, smallpox or the Ebola virus: everything is not so scary.

3. Many people carry the virus in a mild form

Some experts believe that the overwhelming majority of the world's population will sooner or later get sick with coronavirus infection. But, according to statistics, severe and very severe cases of COVID-19 make up 19% of the total. Elderly patients and people with chronic diseases are the worst infected.

In 81% of those infected, there are no complications in the form of pneumonia or pneumonia of mild severity is observed. Such patients do not go to intensive care, they do not need artificial ventilation of the lungs.

4. The virus is not found in water and food

At least not a single case of such infection has been registered. The main route of transmission of COVID-19 is airborne droplets. That is, the virus spreads with microdroplets of liquid that fly out of the mouth and nose of an infected person when talking, breathing, sneezing, coughing. You can also get infected by touching a surface on which there are viral particles, and then touching your face.

In a word, there is no need to disinfect water and eat canned food - and this is already very good.

5. Sooner or later the epidemic will end

Experts are very careful with their forecasts. But if we summarize all the assumptions, then they boil down to four main scenarios for the development of events:

There will be a sharp increase in cases of the disease, doctors and the government will not cope with the situation, many people will die.
Active precautions (quarantine, hygiene, timely medical attention) will stop the pandemic.
The incidence will decline closer to summer, by analogy with other acute respiratory viral infections (but this is not certain).
Doctors will defeat the virus with drugs and vaccines.

In general, there are a lot of chances for a successful outcome. But for this, everyone needs to take care of themselves and others: do not ignore the symptoms of the disease and be attentive to prevention. To prevent events from going according to the first scenario, we must observe self-isolation. This will slow down the spread of the virus.

6. Scientists are already working on a vaccine

And then the race literally unfolded: about 40 laboratories are working on the drug. The forecasts are different. Scientists call the timeframe from 12 to 18 months. And even if the epidemic dies down by this time, we will be ready for new outbreaks of coronavirus.

7. We are not helpless

One of the main reasons for fear and anxiety is the feeling that the situation is beyond our control and we cannot do anything. A terrible virus has come, you cannot escape from it, this is the end, we will all die. But this is absolutely not the case. A lot depends on each of us.

We can take care of ourselves and our health

The main ways to prevent coronavirus infection are quite simple:

wash your hands regularly and thoroughly;
do not touch your face with dirty hands;
do not touch anything in public places;
keep the house clean, ventilate the room;
avoid contact with people who have visible signs of a cold.

It's not that difficult. There is no need to disinfect food and water, wear a gas mask, or build a bunker.

We can stop the epidemic together

In many regions of the Russian Federation, a self-isolation regime has already been introduced, and this means that it is necessary to stay at home: not to visit, not to have picnics with friends, and if you still have to communicate with people, except for family members, then keep a distance of one and a half meters.

We can help those who need it

For example, buying food and medicine for seniors who cannot leave their homes. Make a discount on your services or provide them for free, especially if they are relevant during an epidemic: food delivery, legal advice, transport. Organize a remote event - webinar, training, master class - to cheer people up and brighten up the quarantine. More ideas can be found on the promotion website. It brings together people and companies who are willing to help others during a pandemic.