Steps you can take to prepare
On February 29, 2020, the first confirmed death due to the novel coronavirus in the United States was reported. This occurred in the midst of controversy based on President Donald Trump’s claim that the Coronavirus has been sensationalized as part of a political agenda against his upcoming presidential campaign. Rumors abound regarding whether the Coronavirus is a serious threat and what we need to do to prepare ourselves.
Additionally, there have been rumors regarding how the Coronavirus impacts the black community differently, including questions regarding whether the black community should even be concerned about the Coronavirus.
Is the Coronavirus really a threat? If so, why would there be rumors that the black community should not get prepared?
Understanding the Coronavirus
Known as the Coronavirus, novel (new) coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, the latest strain of coronavirus has caused concern worldwide. There are multiple strains of the coronavirus, and scientists have known about those strains for many years. For example, the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak of 2003 was linked to the SARS coronavirus.
Over time, the coronavirus has strengthened and now presents a more menacing threat than ever before. As of last month, over 2,000 people have lost their lives and there are over 75,000 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus worldwide.
A credible threat. Even though President Trump dangerously used the word ‘hoax’ in connection with his description of the Coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of the Coronavirus. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects that the spread of the Coronavirus is imminent.
Your risks. The risk of contracting the Coronavirus in the United States is currently very low, as our risk of exposure to the virus is limited. Of those who contract the virus, only around 1 out of every 6 people become seriously ill. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Only about 2% of people with the disease have died.
Therefore, although the Coronavirus must be taken seriously, there is no cause for panic. Unfortunately, media attention has heightened awareness and created a sense of panic and anxiety regarding the Coronavirus.
Coronavirus, Fear, and Race
Fear of the Coronavirus has spread faster than the virus itself. It’s no secret that people tend to normalize their observations related to the people in their own culture, which can sometimes have a negative impact on their views of people of other cultures. In this case, the Coronavirus is often associated with China in the media, which has created a social stigma against Asian people. And unfortunately, such harmful thinking also impacts the black community.
A dangerous rumor spread when a Cameroonian college student recovered from the Coronavirus. The rumor indicated that Chinese doctors determined black skin is immune to the Coronavirus because the antibodies in African blood are three times stronger than the antibodies of other races. However, there is no medical evidence of this claim.
The rumor may be connected to the fact that African Americans often do not receive the same level of health care as those of other races. For example, research has shown that African American patients are less likely to receive required medication or surgical procedures than white patients with the same symptoms. There may be a number of factors that contribute to this phenomenon, but the fact remains that under-recognition of health conditions is common in the black community. The assumption is often that black people are less likely to contract contagious health conditions, thereby supporting harmful stereotypes that lead to the perception that black people do not need the same level of health care.
Thus begins a cycle in which the black community suffers inadequate treatment for serious health conditions. It’s up to us educate and prepare ourselves.
Symptoms
Common signs of infection are similar to those of other respiratory viruses, including runny nose, fever, sore throat, body aches, cough, and breathing difficulties. However, the symptoms can escalate to acute respiratory issues, pneumonia, kidney failure, and even death. Symptoms appear 2 – 14 days after exposure and may begin mildly and gradually escalate to severe.
Get Prepared
There is no vaccine for the Coronavirus, but there are several ways that you can protect yourself. The most important actions you can take are to limit contact with people who are sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, and stay home when you are sick.
You can also help prevent the spread of infection by covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Be sure to regularly wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds (or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol) before eating and after sneezing, coughing, or going to the restroom. Clean areas and objects that are touched often, such as faucets and door handles, with household cleaning spray or disinfectant wipes. You should also cook all meat thoroughly, including eggs, and avoid contact with people who show signs of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing.
If you have symptoms of the Coronavirus, be sure to seek medical attention (especially older people and people who have high blood pressure, chronic respiratory illness, or other health complications). Wear a facemask when you need to come into contact with others. Note that the CDC only recommends facemasks for those who have symptoms.
TheCoronavirus is a new and ever-changing story, so it is important that you stay current with related developments. Remember these 4 simple steps to prepare yourself.
Next steps
- Stay informed. Check the WHO and CDC websites regularly to keep up with the latest information, recommendations for international travel, and more.
- Be aware of your health status and the symptoms of your family and friends. If you observe symptoms, do not hesitate to seek medical attention.
- Educate our community. If you hear comments regarding the black community being immune, speak up. You could help prevent an outbreak by sharing your knowledge that we are not immune.
- Share accurate information about how the virus spreads. Rumors are not helpful. Always fact-check before you share information, including on social media.
