CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY: HOW TO PREPARE, NOT PANIC - Practical steps to get ready, without hitting the panic button - While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate - of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization - there’s no need to panic - It helps to look at coronavirus in the context of other illnesses to get some perspective - Even though some 40 to 70 percent of people around the world will be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, “it’s likely that many will have mild disease, or may be asymptomatic.” In other words, there’s no need to panic. It helps to look at coronavirus in the context of other illnesses to get some perspective. The coronavirus currently has a death rate of 2% worldwide, far below the 9% to 12% death rate of the 2002 SARS; though higher than the common flu in the U.S. It’s still unclear exactly how contagious the virus is, but the CDC estimates symptoms occur 2-14 days after exposure. It’s mainly spread through the respiratory system (think: breathing or coughing on someone). Signs of the virus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Like with many other illnesses, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

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Coronavirus Anxiety: How To Prepare, Not Panic

Practical steps to get ready, without hitting the panic button

While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate - of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization - there’s no need to panic - It helps to look at coronavirus in the context of other illnesses to get some perspective.

Article by: Rebecca Dolgin

In a less-than-reassuring press conference last night about the coronavirus, we finally got the news we already guessed, but were collectively dreading.

It isn’t a matter of “if” but “when” the coronavirus will hit the United States. “Ultimately, we expect we will see community spread in this country,” said the Center for Disease Control (CDC) spokesman, Benjamin Haynes.

And, sure enough, as we woke up this morning, there was already news of a person in California who had been diagnosed with the virus.

The New York Times reported, “A person in California who was not exposed to anyone known to be infected with the coronavirus and had not traveled to countries in which the virus is circulating, has tested positive for the infection.”

This new case represents what the infectious disease community calls “community spread” and it’s important because experts agree community spread is the tipping point that leads to a pandemic.

So, what does this mean, for us?

Harvard epidemiology professor Marc Lipsitch told The Atlantic last week. “I think the likely outcome is that it will ultimately not be containable.”

Yikes. But he also said this: even though he predicts some 40 to 70 percent of people around the world will be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, “it’s likely that many will have mild disease, or may be asymptomatic.”

The California Department of Public Health agrees.

In a statement yesterday it said, “While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. The international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization.”

In other words, there’s no need to panic. It helps to look at coronavirus in the context of other illnesses to get some perspective.

The coronavirus currently has a death rate of 2% worldwide, far below the 9% to 12% death rate of the 2002 SARS; though higher than the common flu in the U.S.

It’s still unclear exactly how contagious the virus is, but the CDC estimates symptoms occur 2-14 days after exposure.

It’s mainly spread through the respiratory system (think: breathing or coughing on someone). Signs of the virus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Like with many other illnesses, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

Psychological Implications Of Coronavirus

If you chat with five different friends, you’ll see a range of responses — some are already ordering face masks and stocking up on water, others thinking maybe they won’t got to Italy this summer, and still others haven’t heard anything about the virus.

Despite the information we do hear, part of the trouble is humans are not great at assessing risk.

According to Paul Slovic, Ph.D., who researches risk and decision making at the University of Oregon, how risk is conveyed determines how it’s interpreted.

And, people use their emotions, not logical analysis to evaluate risks.

“Catastrophizing is an example of an unhealthy thinking pattern which may make contamination seem more likely than it actually is,” says Dr. Julie Kolzet, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in New York City.

To feel less anxious, Dr. Kolzet suggests getting news from reliable sources and thinking about the facts. “Ask yourself, what’s the evidence for this and the evidence against it.”

Another tactic is to ask yourself what the cost is of believing the worst-case scenario.

How To Minimize Coronavirus Risk (According To The CDC)

Wash your hands. Using soap and water, lather up for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.

This is especially important after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Cover your cough or sneeze. Use a tissue that you can throw away. And, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since the virus is transmitted through the respiratory system.

Stay home if you’re sick. Chances are you don’t have the virus, but officials advise staying home if you don’t feel well.

And, if you suspect you may have coronavirus, call your healthcare provider.

Keep surfaces clean. Use a disinfecting cleaning spray or wipes on high-touch surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, your phone, and remote controls.

Stay away from sick people. One thing we know about the virus is that it is very contagious.

Don’t buy a facemask… yet: If you’re not sick, not a healthcare worker, and not caring for someone who has the virus, there is no need to wear a facemask.

Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease.

What To Do About Travel Plans And Work

There are travel warnings for certain areas: level three warnings (the highest) are in effect for China and South Korea and level two for Italy, Iran, and Japan. For more travel guidance, refer to the CDC website.

The CDC also recommends that “businesses explore strategies that would decrease the amount of exposure that people have with one another, for example, telecommuting and staggered shifts. Those who travel frequently for business should also consider cancelling any nonessential travel in the case of a sustained outbreak in the U.S.”

Rebecca Dolgin is the executive editor of Psycom. As a former Editor in Chief, Rebecca has spent over 20 years on major consumer websites and magazines directing the editorial mission and strategy. Before joining Psycom, Rebecca worked with Hearst Digital Media on digital brands like Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Esquire. Prior to this, she was the editor in chief at XO Group and oversaw digital, video, social, and print for The Knot (the #1 wedding website), The Nest and The Bump, and launched the company’s first in-house branded content agency, The Studio. 

Holding degrees in both journalism and social psychology has enabled Rebecca to approach service journalism from a unique perspective–one that takes into account the social context and group behavior patterns. Her research interests focus on language and emotion.

https://www.psycom.net/coronavirus-anxiety-how-to-prepare-not-panic/