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Monday, February 3, 2020

Corona🦠Virus

A Disturbing Number of People
🦠 Think Coronavirus 🦠
Is Related to Corona Beer
by Jelisa Castrodale - Jan 28 2020 
Google search trends illustrate that we're surrounded by very, very confused people when it comes to the rapidly spreading illness.

Last Tuesday, the GoogleTrends Twitter account noted that worldwide search interest for "coronavirus symptoms” had increased by 1,050% compared to the week before. It also listed the top five related searches during the previous 24 hours, which included things like "how to prevent coronavirus" and "how does coronavirus spread."
But despite a seemingly global attempt to get Dr. Google's opinion on what we should and should not be doing in order to avoid the virus, another popular Google search illustrates that we're also surrounded by very, very confused people.

BoingBoing discovered that in the past few days, there has also been a spike in searches for "corona beer virus," because apparently people are under the impression that coronavirus, also known as nCoV, has something to do with Corona brand beer.

The searches have been prevalent in North America (but not in Mexico, where the beer is produced) and western Europe (we see you, Finland), as well as in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, and New Zealand.

It's disappointing that this needs to be written, but the only thing that Corona beer and nCoV have in common is the origin of their names. In Latin, corōna meant 'crown,' and modern languages continue to reflect that; 'corona' still translates to crown in modern Catalan, Spanish, and Italian, among others.

Coronaviruses were named because of the crown-like spikes on its surface, and anyone who has ever peeled the label off a bottle of Corona Light has noticed the crown that sits on top of its "La Cerveza Mas Fina" slogan. The drinkable Corona does predate the virus, though: Corona was first brewed in 1925, while human coronaviruses were not identified until 1965.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, conflating a respiratory virus with a brand of beer isn't the dumbest piece of misinformation that has appeared on the internet. The Daily Beast
reports that the conspiracy purveyors at QAnon are suggesting that the best way to protect yourself from coronavirus is by drinking bleach. In both tweets and videos, QAnon associates have suggested that their followers should purchase and consume a product called Miracle Mineral Solution, Miracle Mineral Supplement, or simply MMS. 

There are a number of problems with that, including the fact that MMS is made with an industrial bleaching agent.  

Last summer, the FDA issued a warning against drinking MMS and other products that contain sodium chlorite and chlorine dioxide. "The FDA has received reports of consumers who have suffered from severe vomiting, severe diarrhea, life-threatening low blood pressure caused by dehydration, and acute liver failure after drinking these products," the agency wrote at the time.

As a society, we really need help.
Google that.


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Here’s Exactly
How the New Coronavirus
Affects Your Body
by Lia Savillo   Jan 23 2020

The mysterious and deadly new strain of coronavirus that originated in China has infected close to 500 people. It initially has flu-like symptoms but, in severe cases, can permanently damage the lungs.

The new coronavirus is spreading fast. From a market in Wuhan, China, there are now close to 500 cases of infections globally, including in places like Hong Kong, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and the United States. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report on Monday, January 20, that there were 278 cases in China alone, with a high concentration in Hubei Province, where Wuhan is located. Of this, 51 were severely ill and 12 were in critical condition. The latest death toll is now at nine.

China’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that it’s possible for the flu-like illness to be contracted through human-to-human transmission, and it could spread even faster this week, as many travel to and from China for the upcoming Lunar New Year.
We know that symptoms of the virus include a cough, high fevers, and difficulty breathing… but what exactly does it do to the body? We spoke to Infectious Disease Specialist Mark C. Peralta from the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Fe Del Mundo Medical Center in Manila to know more about its effects.

VICE: What is the coronavirus going around now?
Mark C. Peralta: The Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) is a new type of coronavirus which is different from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It has different genetic material from the other coronaviruses, which means it’s a new strain.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, which means transmission can be between animals and humans. For example, SARS-CoV came from civets and MERS-CoV from camels. So far, no specific type of animal is found to transmit nCoV.

How is nCoV different from a regular Pneumonia? 
There is a spectrum of clinical presentations of nCoV which can be mild, moderate, or severe illnesses. This includes pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (severe condition that fills-up the lungs with fluid and could cause organ failure), sepsis (bacterial infection in blood), and septic shock (organ failure caused by sepsis). Pneumonia is just one of the presentations of nCoV.
 
What are the other symptoms? 
There is still no particular order of presentation of symptoms, as it is too early to conclude, but the common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms: runny nose, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, and fever.

Are there any physical signs?
Physical findings on an examination are different based on its presentation, but if it was a case of pneumonia, usually there’s difficulty in breathing, such as gasping or frequent breathing. On a lung examination, there could be crackles or wheezes.

What is the worst-case scenario for someone who was infected with nCov?
It can be anywhere from mild pneumonia to acute respiratory distress syndrome, but the worst situation is death. In the long run, depending on the presentation of the infection, another outcome from acute respiratory distress syndrome could lead to irreversible lung injury.
 
How can people avoid getting infected?
If you have a history of traveling to Wuhan in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms, go to the nearest hospital and see a doctor.
Good hygiene is the primary defense against spreading and acquiring the disease, particularly hand washing, and covering your mouth or nose when coughing and sneezing.

For people with symptoms, isolating themselves and informing their doctor or a nearby hospital is the best way to prevent spreading the disease.


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