Knowing about the PANDEMIC and Staying SAFE

DEFEATING THE VIRUS ENEMY

Judging from the North American reaction or overreaction to the pandemic, I have decided to write this paper.

Defeating an enemy requires that:

• We know what it is, so that we could find and track it
• We know what it does and its modus operandi
• How it attacks and kills
• How to protect against it, disable it, and finally kill it1.

1. The SARS-CoV-2

a. There is no need to panic! There is need to be cautious and careful.

b. The virus is no longer a mystery. It has been identified. It is known now to be one of seven types of coronaviruses that infect humans. “Four regularly circulate in humans and cause mild to moderate upper respiratory tract infections – common colds”.

c. The original SARS was identified in 2003. It first infected humans in Guangdong China. It affected 26 countries: 8000 cases; 800 deaths. SARS-CoV-2 numbers: Worldwide as of Mar 25, 2020: 423.330 cases; 18.906 deaths; estimated mean infection rate – 02.5%.

d. The Virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule (DNA). It cannot be killed but decays on its own.

e. The virus is fragile.It is protected by a thin layer of fat. It is inert. It disintegrates in the following times:

• • 3 hours in air molecules
  • 3 hours in fabrics
  • 4 hours in copper
  • 24 hours in cardboard
  • 42 hours in metal
  • 72 in plastic

f. It is transmitted from person to person. “Most cases of human-to-human transmission has occurs in healthcare settings – affecting mostly the elderly with pre-existing health conditions“.

2. How it INVADES humans

• • When an infected person sneezes, 40,000 droplets between 0.5 to 12 micrometers in diameters are unleashed and airborne BUT they rapidly fall onto the ground and don’t land more than 1 meter away.
  • When the virus enters the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes, it attaches itself to a Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor located in the lower respiratory tract and gains entry to the lungs.
  • It is where it wrecks havoc. It sets up a “factory replicating itself”. It is how an infected person becomes a “disease carrier”.
  • Why are elderly seniors susceptible? Because they are often prescribed with “blockers” (ACE inhibitors and ACE blocker) that they take daily. These increase the number of ACE2 receptors in their cardiopulmonary system. It is like setting up a buffet for the virus to feast on.

3. Precaution NOT Panic

1. 1. 1. We already know what the virus is and how to help it die on its own.
      2. Since it is protected by a layer of fat, soap, detergent, and anything that cuts grease will render it to decay.
      3. Hand washing with warm water above 25 degree Celsius degrades the virus. Thoroughly washing for 20 seconds or more will cover the entire surface of the hand as well as skin cracks.
      4. Heat, UV light, hot and bright conditions, break down the protein
      5. Washing cloths in warm water is helpful.

4. What is not helpful

1. 1. Antibiotics, vinegar, sanitary wipes with less than 65% alcohol content.
   2. Do not shake clothes, linens, sheets – it will disperse the virus into the air

5. Things are looking up

1. 1. The virus is no longer a mystery.
   2. We know how long it stays in our body before symptoms develop 5-14 days
   3. We know that the virus will “self-destruct” within a short period of time (for those with normal immune system)
   4. Scientists have already accumulated data about the virus since 2003 to 2005
   5. In 2020, our technologically advanced computer systems provide essential and efficient tools to quantify, evaluate, collect data, to help contain the pandemic worldwide
   6. Lastly, the new virus does not transmit as efficiently as influenza

 

Sources:

Science Daily – Mar 23, 2020

WHO – Mar 25, 2020

Statistics-Health & Pharmaceuticals – Mar 25, 2020

ARS Technica – Mar 25, 2020

Business Insider – Mar 25, 2020

The Lancet – Infectious Diseases – Mar 5, 2020

The Science Behind the Corona Virus – Mar17, 2020