What is Covid-19?
As of the 11th March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined Covid-19 as a pandemic, as the number of confirmed cases passes 200,000 and the number of deaths 8,000.
But what’s the difference between Covid-19 and coronavirus? Well, the answer is subtle, but crucial.
Covid-19 refers to the disease and symptoms that accompany it. “Co” referring to Corona, meaning crown, due to the characteristic protein shape on the outside of the virus, “Vi” refers to it being caused by a virus, whilst the “d” denotes it’s a disease. (19 simply references the year it was discovered).
The virus that causes Covid-19 goes by a different name: SARS-CoV-2, which doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as easily.
“SARS” denotes the new virus’ genetic link to the SARS Virus that caused the 2003 outbreak. This name was decided upon by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, not the WHO. As a result, when a suspected patient is tested, they will test positive for SARS-CoV-2, not Covid-19.
This naming confusion is compounded by the geopolitical rivalries that have led to different regions referring to the virus by different names. The most well-known example being the Trump Administration referring to the virus as the “Chinese Virus” with one official referring to it as “Kung-Flu” to a Chinese reporter.
The naming discrepancy prompted an article on Quartz by Mary Hui which explores in more detail the arguments for and against certain naming systems. You can read it here.
How Bad is it?
Any disease that causes a pandemic has the potential to cause major socio-economic disruption, alongside the obvious health implications. For most people, however, the virus will present mild symptoms that do not require hospital treatment.
For a minority of people, however, Covid-19 could further complicate ongoing medical conditions, those most at risk include:
- People over the age of 70
- Pregnant Women
- Those with severe respiratory illnesses such as Asthma and CF
- People with a suppressed immune system
- Those receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Patients with blood or bone cancer, such as leukaemia
- Others with serious health conditions
Those who have the above conditions, or who have otherwise been advised to do so by health professionals should practice self-isolation, as should those living in close proximity to them.
Those in self-isolation should generally remain away from the public for 14 days, however, this differs depending on certain factors. See the government website for more information.
Do I have Covid-19?
The two main symptoms of Covid-19 are:
- A new continuous dry cough
- A persistent fever
If you experience either of these symptoms you should start a period of self-isolation. If you develop breathing difficulties, you should contact NHS 111 for further advice.
Why are people comparing it to SARS, MERS, and the Flu?
Covid-19 shares many similarities with other coronavirus outbreaks such as the 2003 SARS outbreak (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and 2012 MERS outbreak (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome). This is mainly due to the fact that these three viruses share a large proportion of their genetic material, and as such, cause similar symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 is most closely related to SARS.
The comparison to the flu is more political and less scientific. Neither seasonal flu nor pandemic flu are caused by a coronavirus. They are caused by a different family of viruses, the Orthomyxoviridae family which plays host to influenza. They cause similar symptoms but with two important distinctions. Firstly Covid-19 will often present with shortness of breath, this will not be present in a patient with Flu. Secondly, nasal congestion in any coronavirus case is rare, whilst it is often seen in Influenza.
The reason that it is compared with the flu is that seasonal flu claims thousands of lives each year, so it is often used as a way to demonstrate that Covid-19 isn’t as dangerous as the media make it out to be. This is not the case.
Covid-19 is more dangerous than the Flu for two main reasons:
Firstly, even within the scientific community, there is very little understanding of SARS-CoV-2, and as such, there is no specific treatment for those who contract it.
Secondly, those most at risk from seasonal Flu are identified and vaccinated. This has not taken place with Covid-19. Efforts are ongoing to find a vaccine, but even the most optimistic estimates place the date for a clinically viable vaccine well into 2021.
How Does it Spread and How do I Protect Myself?
As said above, we still know relatively little about the virus and how it spreads, but it’s likely it uses transmission pathways simillar to other coronaviruses. Most likely through fluid droplets expelled from the mouth when a person coughs.
As such, the most effective way to prevent transmission is to prevent people from coming into contact with one another. This is the premise for isolation and quarantine.
The incubation period – the length of time before a person shows symptoms, but can still transmit the virus – however, can be up to 5 days. As a result there is a very real threat that you can carry and transmit the disease before you know you have it.
This is why good hand hygiene is so important, and also why measures such as social distancing and school closures are being implemented by the government.
So, how do you protect yourself, and others who may be more vulnerable? There are three simple measures that you can take:
- Sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds regularly
- Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands
More information on good hygiene practices can be found on the NHS Website.
How Does it Spread and How do I Protect Myself?
As said above, we still know relatively little about the virus and how it spreads, but it’s likely it uses transmission pathways similar to other coronaviruses. Most likely through fluid droplets expelled from the mouth when a person coughs.
As such, the most effective way to prevent transmission is to prevent people from coming into contact with one another. This is the premise for isolation and quarantine.
The incubation period – the length of time before a person shows symptoms, but can still transmit the virus – however, can be up to 5 days. As a result, there is a very real threat that you can carry and transmit the disease before you know you have it.
This is why good hand hygiene is so important, and also why measures such as social distancing and school closures are being implemented by the government.
So, how do you protect yourself, and others who may be more vulnerable? There are three simple measures that you can take:
- Sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds regularly
- Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands
More information on good hygiene practices can be found on the NHS Website.
What Now?
As we are in the throws of a pandemic, our knowledge about how the virus operates, and our strategies to deal with it will change day-by-day. The best thing to do is to keep up to date with the latest information.
One of the ways you can do this is through the JRN Covid-19 Hub. We will be covering a variety of topics over the next few months, including:
- Weekly updates on the latest British Rowing and Government guidance
- Global rowing news
- Mental Health support
- Home training ideas and tips
- Opinion Articles
Got a suggestion for how we can all pull together over the coming weeks and months? Message us on our social channels or through our email and we’ll get back to you!
If you want to be better educated on the current health crisis, watch this video from Kurzgesagt which explains the Covid-19 pandemic in a clear, visually engaging way.
In the meantime keep up to date with the latest news from us at JRN HQ on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Ed Evans
Opinions Editor
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