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ON THIS EPISODE
What a week it’s been so far. With all the postponements, cancellations, and closings the world announced this week, due to the Coronavirus, it’s definitely time for a convention roll call and general community update to those affected by these decisions.
More importantly, Monica and myself, Alexandra Kot, both feel it’s prudent to talk about what sort of effect social distancing and working from home can have on productivity and mental health. Each household and person have their own constraints when staying home, so we wanted to provide some tips and tricks we’ve learned from personal experiences as well as friends who work from home on the regular.
Additionally, amid the spreading panic, chaos, and disappointment at what’s looking to be a decimated spring convention season, we discuss possible ways to manage the isolation, stress, as well as possible ways to continue banding together as a community of cosplayers and geeks. This will not be an easy time for most these upcoming months, but we’re definitely planning on adapting so that we can continue providing honesty and support to the cosmunity. Please help in finding and suggesting ways to pull people up during this time of uncertainty.
CONVENTION UPDATES
Right now, there is a lot of concern when it comes to navigating comic conventions with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). There are also a lot of scary headlines out there being circulated on social media. Below are the current cancellations that we are aware of.
Postponed or Canceled as of 3/13/2020
- WonderCon
- MCM Birmingham
- Emerald City Comic Con
- ACE Comic Con Northeast
- SXSW in Austin
- E3 Expo
- All events in California for groups larger than 250 people
CORONA VIRUS (Covid-19)
What is Coronavirus?
The Center for Disease Control explains that Coronavirus is a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and has now been detected in almost 70 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC). On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19.
Symptoms
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
If a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract (your windpipe and your lungs), then it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease, or people with weakened immune systems.
How does it spread?
According to the Center for Disease Control, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.
The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and is sustainable in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, if you are still considering heading to your favorite con, then here are some things to know.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website. For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick. Nobody likes missing a con! We get it. The fear of missing out is real. If you are a vendor, exhibitor or cosplayer who has been working hard leading up to a particular con, then it can be extra heartbreaking. However, keeping others in the community safe from illness and your own personal recovery is more important. Be the hero we deserve. If you are sick, then stay home and get better.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Don’t carry that dirty tissue around with you all day, throw that sucker out and get a new one. Cough or sneeze into your elbow if you must. Do not cough into your bare hands. If you do, wash them immediately.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Be aware of what you touch. Escalators, stairwell handles, doors, knobs, counters, and toilet handles are some of the most-touched things in a convention center. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth while at a big event.
- Avoid Con Crunch – Con crunch is the time in between the convention and the time that you actually started working on your convention project. Whether you are a vendor putting together your items to sell or getting ready for the convention or as a cosplayer getting your cosplay items and projects in order. Procrastination, running out of time, or not planning accordingly can actually be dangerous to your health. Staying up late to finish last-minute projects and not getting enough sleep can really lower your immunity. Getting plenty of sleep is important to keeping your immune system in top shape during the con season.
Do I need a Facemask?
CDC does not recommend that people who are well/healthy wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Myths about Covid-19
There are plenty of rumors, false alarms, misinformation and conspiracy theories spreading in regards to the Coronavirus. It is important to be aware of what is being said and what is actually true.
Check out Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters
Where to get up to date information
Center for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Information For
- Communities, schools, and businesses
- Healthcare professionals
- Health departments
- Travel
- Laboratories
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Alexandra is the current host and brainchild behind the CosLifeHAQ podcast. An engineer by day and a cosplayer in whatever free time she musters, she’s a transplant from North Carolina that, while still new, has thrown herself headfirst into the cosplay community. Her fandoms include Marvel, the Alien Anthology, and Disneyland. She usually can be found hiding from the sun in the Southern California pop culture and comic book convention scene. You can check out some of her work here.
Monica is the current host of the Temple of Geek Podcast. She is a cosplay photographer and writer for the fashion column Temple of Geek Chic. Her fandoms include Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel and recently the Umbrella Academy. She can usually be found around the Southern California pop culture and comic book convention scene. You can check out some of her work here.
Episode Edited by Danniel Slade
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