Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that affect animals. Occasionally, coronaviruses have been known to move from animals to humans. The coronavirus we’re talking about today is a new virus, which causes an illness called COVID-19.
How did the coronavirus outbreak start?
It’s not completely clear how the outbreak started, but it’s thought it’s likely to have begun in Wuhan, China at a local meat market known to sell wild animal meat.
We still don’t know for sure which animal sparked the outbreak, but it’s thought that the new virus could have originated in bats. Bats weren’t sold at the market, but they may have come into contact with the animals that were.
How is coronavirus spread?
Because we haven’t encountered this virus before, scientists have had to work hard to discover exactly how it spreads. Similar viruses, like colds and flu, spread through water droplets in coughs and sneezes. These droplets can live on surfaces and spread when someone touches them with their hands. People become infected when they then touch their hands to their mouth, nose, or eyes.
Coronavirus is mostly spread through the air when people are in close contact with each other. This is why it’s very important that we socially distance from other people, and wear a mask. Wearing a mask over your mouth and nose helps to stop your water droplets from reaching other people. If we all wear masks, we all keep our droplets to ourselves!
Being in places with lots of fresh air also helps stop these droplets from reaching other people, which is why we don’t have to wear our masks outside. Some places you go to, like your school, might open windows and doors to help with this, too.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
For most people, including kids, this coronavirus isn’t dangerous. It will make them feel poorly for a short time before they make a full recovery. For a few people, like the elderly and people who have long-term health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, the risk of becoming very ill is more serious. That’s why these people are making extra efforts to have less face-to-face contact with others at the moment.
That means you might have to change the way you keep in touch with grandparents, friends, or family who are vulnerable, for the time being.
Coronavirus symptoms include:
– a high temperature
– a new, continuous cough
– a loos or change to your sense of smell and taste
What can I do?
There are plenty of small, easy things you can do. You probably do some of them already, but at this time, we all just need to be extra sensible and cautious as we go about our daily lives and activities:
– Wash your hands more regularly, for at least 20 seconds
– Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
– Wear your mask properly, everywhere that you need to. Make sure it covers your mouth
– Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
– Try to avoid hand-to-hand contact with others outside of your immediate family, and stay a safe distance from them.
Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19-Pandemie
