How to Prepare for the Coronavirus - Wall Street Journal

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Sumathi Reddy

The Wall Street Journal

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Sumathi.Reddy@wsj.com

Feb. 27, 2020 3:16 pm ET

Face masks? Zinc? Gloves? Americans are grasping for ways to brace for what public health experts say is inevitable: an outbreak of the new coronavirus.

Public health experts advise staying calm and following the same precautions recommended for preventing flu or any other respiratory virus. Stick with the basics: Wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, and stay at home from work or school when you’re sick.

When should I worry?

Public health experts say the threat of a coronavirus outbreak shouldn’t feel like a death sentence. Though it poses a serious risk for some—namely older individuals and those with underlying health conditions—for the majority it will likely be a relatively mild illness.

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What steps if any are you taking to prepare for a possible outbreak of the new coronavirus? Join the conversation below.

For now, make provisions, says Stephen Morse, professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Arrange to telecommute if there is an outbreak in your area. Check your sick leave policy in case you get sick. Arrange childcare for your children in case schools close.

And have the appropriate amount of medications you need for any health conditions you have, says Aneesh Mehta, associate professor in the division of infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine.

If and when the virus starts circulating in your community then consider taking action, like telecommuting.

Should you buy a mask or gloves?

Not unless you or someone in your household comes down with the new coronavirus. Vanessa Raabe, a pediatric and adult infectious disease specialist at NYU Langone Health, says there’s no evidence that masks help if you’re healthy. You could consider wearing one, she says, if you’re sick or in close contact with an ill child or loved one.

Gloves also are only useful if you’re taking care of an ill child or loved one and are in contact with bodily fluids. So wear gloves if you’re changing an ill child’s diaper or cleaning up vomit. But wearing them on a day-to-day basis for prevention is not helpful as we touch our hands, eyes, and mouth frequently.

A man reaches for a mask at a Home Depot in Los Angeles.
Photo: Frederic J. BROWN/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

What about taking zinc or other medicines as a preventive measure?

Public health experts say there’s no known substance we can take to decrease our chances of contracting the new coronavirus. The best prevention is washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds and staying home when you’re sick for at least 14 days.

Do I need to buy any specific cleaning products?

Regular household disinfectant wipes and cleaners should suffice. Anything with alcohol or bleach works. If someone at home is sick the CDC recommends cleaning surfaces that are touched frequently—like doorknobs and countertops—every day.

TRACKING THE CORONAVIRUS

What should I do if a family member comes down with the virus?

Try to have them isolate themselves as much as possible. Dr. Raabe says have them sleep and rest in a different room and use a different bathroom, if possible.

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How do you distinguish the new coronavirus from the flu or the common cold?

It’s impossible to do based on symptoms alone, says Dr. Raabe. The main symptoms of the new coronavirus are fever, cough, shortness of breath, and general fatigue and muscle aches. These overlap with the symptoms of the flu or any other respiratory virus. The only way to know for sure is to get tested by a doctor. Experts recommend calling your doctor ahead of time as they may recommend a virtual visit first or take specific precautions if you go to the office to prevent potential exposure to others.

Any precautions I should take for my young children?

The good news for parents is so far the virus appears to be less serious for children, says Dr. Raabe. Only 2% of reported cases so far have been in children, according to a new study. Children who have gotten the virus have had milder disease, she says, and there have been no reported deaths in children under age nine. Still, children may play a role in transmission of the virus so they should follow the same restrictions to prevent passing it on to others. And keep your kids out of school and away from others if they are infected.