Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus
What is COVID-19?
The disease known as COVID-19 is a new disease that has not previously been seen in humans and was first identified in Wuhan, China. The name for the disease is an abbreviation: ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. ‘19’ is for 2019.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The symptoms have ranged from mild to severe. Call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing. If you experience any emergency warning signs, such as difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or lethargy, and bluish lips or face, seek medical attention immediately.
How is COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 is highly contagious and easily spreads from person to person thru respiratory droplets produced when sneezing, coughing, or other respiratory secretions. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby and possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Who is most at risk?
Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Based upon available information to date, those most at risk include:
- People 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- People of any age with the following underlying medical conditions, particularly those that are not well controlled
- Chronic lung disease or asthma
- Congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Neurologic conditions that weaken the ability to cough
- Weakened immune system
- Chemotherapy or radiation for cancer (currently or in recent past)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Lack of spleen or a spleen that doesn’t function correctly
- Extreme obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40)
- People who are pregnant
How can I best protect myself?
The answers are surprisingly simple:
- Practice social distancing - keep at least six feet away from other people and avoid contact with people who are sick. Avoid gathering with groups of people
- Wash your hands frequently - with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth
- Cover your nose and mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes table, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- Greet people with a wave, nod or bow instead of the traditional handshake
- Avoid traveling to a COVID-19 “hot spots.”
What is social-distancing?
Social distancing encourages physical space between other people. The CDC recommends keeping at least six feet away from other people. When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. The symptoms of the virus take days to appear after exposure. This means that someone could be carrying the virus even though they have no symptoms.
If I am practicing social distancing, what activities can I partake in?
Social distancing does not prevent you from enjoying life. Reconnect with nature by taking walk, hike or bike ride; binge-watch your favorite television show or catch up on the latest movies through cable or a streaming service; learn something new like knitting, cooking, sewing, woodworking, or photography; birdwatch; get a jump on your spring cleaning or finally do that home improvement project you’ve been contemplating; learn a new language with an online course; read a book; or exercise at home with on-demand programs.
What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?
If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 stay home and call your healthcare provider. Beyond those immediate steps, stay as far away as possible from other people in your home; stay away from pets and animals; wear a mask if you are sick; cover your coughs and sneezes and wash your hands often; avoid sharing items and wash “high-touch” surfaces often.
How long does it take for symptoms to appear?
CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days after exposure.
What if I test positive for COVID?
If you test POSITIVE for COVID: Isolate for five days. If asymptomatic at that time, you may leave isolation if you can continue to wear a mask for an additional five days to minimize the risk of infecting others.
If you have symptoms you should isolate for at least five days or until symptoms resolve and then mask for an additional five days at all times.
What if I was exposed to someone with COVID?
If you have been boosted OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months OR completed the primary series of the J and J vaccine within the last 2 months:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Test on day five, if possible
- If you develop symptoms get a test and isolate.
If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over six months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J vaccine over two months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated:
- Stay home (quarantine) for five days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.
- Test on day five if possible.
- If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.
Should I wear a mask?
The CDC recommends you cover both your nose and mouth with a mask when around others. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not have symptoms. Everyone should wear a mask when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
What if I have a medical emergency that is not related to COVID–19 – Can I still get emergency treatment at the hospital?
Yes, absolutely! This is why, with the COVID-19 outbreak, we are taking measures to ensure that we will be able to meet the emergency medical needs of our patients.
Information compiled from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Word Health Organization (WHO) and The Cleveland Clinic.
