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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.
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
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.
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).
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
Center for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Episode Edited by Danniel Slade
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