The year 2020 is ending soon. There’s still a lot that we do not know about COVID-19 but we know quite a lot more than we did 11 months ago.
This coronavirus reminded us, like nothing since the 1918 flu pandemic, of how vulnerable we can all be when our immune systems are confronted by a new virus. What have we learned about COVID-19 so far?
1. COVID-19 is considerably more dangerous to well-defined segments of the population – those older than 50 and people with existing chronic conditions – but young people can also be infected. Young people without chronic conditions may still have disease severe enough for hospitalization.
2. We are sure that masks can greatly reduce the amount of virus that people expel into the air while speaking, and masks protect people who are wearing them—not 100% protection but enough to reduce transmission of the virus and when combined with handwashing and physical distancing can be very effective.
3. Now it is clear that although people may pick up the virus if they touch infected surfaces and then touch their face, it is NOT the main way the virus is transmitted. Handwashing or hand sanitizing remains important because respiratory droplets from an infected person’s sneezes or coughs could still land on our hands. We need to emphasize that if you’re spending a lot of time in a closed space (door or window is not open), the risk of infection is still higher – even if you wash your hands.
4. COVID-19 could be spread in airborne particles that can linger in the air for hours, between people who are more than 6 feet apart. To avoid airborne transmission, enclosed spaces need to have good ventilation and people should avoid crowded indoor spaces (This has not been emphasized enough!)
5. Even though the numbers are very few compared to those who are infected the first time, people can be re-infected.
6. Children of all ages can become infected and can spread it to other people.
7. Many people who have been infected with COVID-19 still experience fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, inability to exercise, and difficulty sleeping even months after infection. In the US, they are called post-COVID “long haulers.” In the UK, they are said to be suffering from “long COVID.”
8. Misinformation (inaccurate information unintentionally or mistakenly shared) and disinformation (false information deliberately spread to mislead others), especially shared on social media platforms, undermine scientific advice and disrupt public health responses to reducing the spread of COVID-19. Misinformation and disinformation are dangerous and can potentially be deadly. *
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Dr. Melvin Sanicas (@Vaccinologist) is a physician-scientist specializing in vaccines, infectious diseases, and global health.