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Page 13 NEWS BRIEFS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Coronavirus Outbreak: Live Updates Cases can be life threatening Mild cases of COVID-19 are thought to last approxi- mately 2 weeks, said Cutler. “Fortunately, the vast majority of cases are mild,” he said. Almost nobody dies of the common cold. And most seasonal allergies are more annoying than dangerous. Influenza, however, causes between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths per year in the United States. COVID-19 has the potential to cause even more fatali- ties because it’s easily transmitted, the population lacks any immunity to the disease, and complications in seri- ous cases may include life threatening pneumonia. If you’re feeling sick or you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should self-quarantine for at least 2 weeks to prevent further spread of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Severe symptoms of COVID-19 that require immediate medical attention include difficulty breathing, persist- ent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face, the latter indicating a shortage of oxygen in the bloodstream, according to the CDC. “Around one out of every six people who gets COVID- 19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breath- ing,” the WHO said. “Older people and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.” How the Novel Coronavirus Spreads in Public Places and How to Protect Yourself The novel coronavirus can spread through the air as well as contact with contaminated surfaces, such as plastic and stainless steel, where the virus can live for up to 3 days. Experts say the canceling of events that draw large crowds is an important step in combating the further spread of the novel coronavirus. The virus spreads like other viruses that cause common respiratory illnesses, such as the flu: via “droplets” that are excreted by coughing, sneezing, and breathing. Anytime an individual is within close proximity to someone with an infection, there’s the potential to spread it through aerosolized droplets. Transmission can also occur through contact with con- taminated surfaces. New research suggests that the virus can live on certain surfaces, such as plastic and stainless steel, for up to 3 days. As the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the United States and the globe, the next fight to stop the disease it causes — COVID-19 — will occur at public gatherings from farmers markets to music festivals, and maybe even the 2020 Olympics. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemicTrusted Source, defined as “the worldwide spread of a new disease.” In light of this designation — and as multiple nations around the world, including Europe, Asia, and Australia, try to contain the disease — governments, businesses, and organizations are attempting to limit contact by canceling large public gatherings to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. These efforts have included the closure of theme parks, such as Disneyland and Disney World; the suspension of seasons for professional sporting leagues, like the NBA and NHL; and the rescheduling or canceling of festivals like Coachella and tech conferences like E3. Mass closures have only added to a growing sense of worry and panic over the disease, which has already caused a prominently reported shortage of supplies — including hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper — throughout the United States. And while the effectiveness or necessity of stockpiling bleach wipes is debatable, experts contacted by Healthline say that limiting potential exposure of the virus at mass public gatherings is a good next step. Why limiting crowds is about preparedness, not panic “I do think this is a legitimate way to prevent the spread or try to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Dr. Robin Patel, Mayo Clinic infectious disease special- ist and president of the American Society for Microbiology. “This virus is concerning. It is spreading in the United States, and really our best strategy to deal with it cur- rently is to contain it,” she said. Patel added: “Containment means where there are cases, we need to keep them from spreading so that other people don’t become infected… It’s at those events that people come together, and from the stand- point of transmission, not congregating in that manner does make sense.” What we know about how the novel coronavirus spreads The novel coronavirus spreads like other viruses that cause common respiratory illnesses, such as the flu: via “droplets” that are excreted by coughing, sneezing, and breathing. Anytime an individual is within close proximity to someone with a coronavirus infection, there’s the potential to spread it through aerosolized droplets. Hence why public health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suggest limiting exposure through mass gatherings. The CDC has even announced its own set of recom- mended guidelinesTrusted Source for such events. One of the recommendations for event organizers is determining when events need to be canceled, a recom- mendation that’s clearly been heeded by many organi- zations across the country. Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told Healthline that he praises such a decision. “It’s just not worth the risk,” he said. “In the midst of community spread of COVID-19 with- in the U.S., organizers of large events, meetings, and festivals need to realize the potential risks to all atten- dees. It’s in the best interest of all parties involved to cancel such events,” Glatter added. Coronavirus can spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, too More likely than transmission through direct contact, however, is through surface contact with the virus. New research suggests that human coronaviruses can live on certain surfaces, such as plastic and stainless steel, for up to 3 days. Surface contact can occur after droplets settle out of the air, meaning that things like doorknobs, keyboards, or frequently touched objects can be sources of exposure. How you can best protect yourself in public places The bottom line, according to the CDC, is that individ- uals who fall into certain higher-risk categories— such as older adults and those who have serious chronic medical conditions (like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease) — should avoid large crowds and mass public gatherings. That doesn’t mean that healthy individuals necessarily need to cancel their summer plans. But there are things that everyone should do to stay safe. “Meticulous hand hygiene — along with avoidance of touching your eyes, nose, or mouth — is paramount when dealing with this mode of spread,” Glatter said. Those recommendations are also echoed by the CDC. Patel also tells Healthline that there are plenty of com- mon sense ways to keep yourself safe and help stop the potential spread of the disease. “If someone is coughing, they should cover their cough with a tissue or their bent elbow… If someone is ill, they shouldn’t go to events or work or congregate with other people,” she said. But as everything from concerts to sporting events get canceled, many will have to juggle their own needs for social interactions with concerns over this disease. And that will be an evaluation individuals will have to make for themselves. “People do need to make decisions about their risk and what they want to partake in,” Patel said. “A music festival is not a requirement for anybody, but obviously it’s nice to be able to attend something like that. Anyone who would fall into a risk category for this, or a higher risk category, it might not make sense to do that,” she said. What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms If you have COVID-19 symptoms or suspect you were exposed to the novel coronavirus, seek medical care. You have several options for obtaining medical care, including seeing your primary healthcare provider. The CDC recommends calling your provider first so they can take the necessary steps to prepare for your visit and protect others from possible exposure to the virus. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Notify the operator that you have COVID-19 or suspect exposure to the novel coronavirus. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive. Disclosure: Healthline maintains a partnership with some of the providers linked above and may receive compensation for services provided.Written by Gigen Mammoser on March 13, 2020 - Fact checked by Dana K. Cassell.