Question

What seems to be the differences in the disease manifestations caused by the COVID-19 virus and the influenza virus?

2) How will "social distancing" help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus?

3) What sources have you been using to stay informed about the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer 1

1) Transmission speed is an significant difference point between the two viruses. Influenza has a shorter median incubation period (the time from infection to symptom appearance) and a shorter serial interval (the time between successive cases) compared with COVID-19. The serial interval for COVID-19 virus is estimated to be 5-6 days while the serial interval is 3 days for influenza virus.

Kids, pregnant women, elderly people, those with underlying chronic medical conditions and those who are immunosuppressed are the ones most at risk for serious influenza infection. The current understanding for COVID-19 is that the older age and underlying factors raise the risk of severe infection.

2) COVID-19 spreads over a prolonged duration primarily among people who are in close contact (about 6 feet away). Spread occurs when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, and droplets from his or her mouth or nose are flung into the air and land in other people's mouths or noses. The droplets can be inhaled into the lungs, too. A person might be able to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching his or her own mouth, nose or eyes. It is not considered to be the principal way the virus spreads, however. COVID-19 will live on a surface for hours or days, depending on factors such as sunlight and humidity. Social distancing helps reduce contact and contamination with infected persons.

3) The following sources that I have been following to stay informed about the COVID-19 pandemic are:-

1. The WHO's situation report.
2. The CDC's situation summary.
3. The news media.
4. Youtube.