Right now, the world is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. But still, the overwhelming message from health authorities remains the same: don’t panic.
Because while the global threat posed by the Novel coronavirus is indeed a serious concern, it’s one that’s being addressed. Governments, health authorities, scientists, researchers, immigration officials, doctors, nurses and organisations all around the globe have dedicated themselves to minimising the impact of this Novel coronavirus.
As WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reassured during a press conference on Wednesday, with this kind of coordinated response, the pandemic can — and will — be brought under control.
“Several countries have demonstrated that this virus can be suppressed… We’re in this together, to do the right things with calm and protect the citizens of the world. It’s doable.”
Watch: How to protect yourself from COVID-19 according to the World Health Organisation.
So, in the interest of spreading facts not fear, here are six things about COVID-19 to help you feel less concerned.
Containment is working.
For over a month now, nearly 60 million people have been in lockdown in China, subject to strict quarantine regulations, travel restrictions and health screening. As a result, the spread of COVID-19 in the country has dramatically slowed.
In late January, Chinese authorities were reporting more than 3,500 new cases every day. On Wednesday, there were just 26 — that’s it. In the central province of Hubei where the outbreak originated at the end of 2019, there were eight.
Top Comments
Please update your articles. Containment of the virus isn't just about contact tracing and quarantining positive cases - a fundamental principle of containment is also social distancing, which this article does not describe.
At this point, you should really be seeking to educate, not to placate and minimise the gravity of the current situation.
Thanks for the information, Mamamia x