All but one of these words was within the scope of my vocabulary, and probably yours too. Every one of these words has taken on an entirely new meaning, urgent with today's context.
Coronavirus, Novel, and Covid-19
Coronavirus is a large category of endemic viruses. Covid-19 is the disease we're currently experiencing, caused by a new (novel) permutation of coronavirus.
Epidemic and Pandemic
Epidemic diseases are considered local to a community or region. Pandemic is defined by WHO as "the worldwide spread of a new disease".
Stay-at-Home and Social Distancing
Stay-at-home orders and social distancing are being proven to be the primary weapons against the spread of Covid-19 until a vaccination is developed. Stay-at-home orders are issued by local and state authorities. Social distancing is what we're practicing by staying at home, avoiding gatherings, working from home, using curbside or delivery services, going out only for essential services, and staying 6 feet apart. Stay-at-home orders and social distancing are only as good as our PERSONAL practices. It's on us. We ARE responsible.
Self-Isolation and Quarantine
Having been misusing these terms myself, here's clarification. Both of these terms are used when Covid-19 is or may actually be present. Self-quarantine is what you do when you've been exposed, or have been tested and found positive. Self-isolation is what you do when you're actually sick with the virus.
Face Masks
N95 respirators offer a high level of
filtration and protection. They are considered critical supplies, are
in shortage, and belong ONLY to our health care workers and first
responders right now. Surgical masks offer a simple barrier to help
keep an ill person from spreading the virus. They are not effective to
keep the wearer from getting the virus. Home-made cloth masks serve the
same function as purchased surgical masks, which are also in short
supply. Though the efficacy of surgical and home-made cloth masks is
not established, they're currently recommended in the
can't-hurt-might-help category, particularly since Covid-19 is spread by
non-symptomatic carriers.
Shut Down and Re-Open
Local and state leaders have made decisions, becoming more consistent over time, about what businesses and services are considered essential. If a business is not essential, it's shut down. This has had the effect of shutting down the local and national economy. Shut downs have been in place for a month or so as the Covid-19 spreads and takes its toll. The toll in deaths in the U.S. as of today is 39,103 (www.worldometers.info). The toll on our healthcare workers and first responders is immeasurable. The toll on our national psyche is a work in progress. Conversation has turned to re-opening. Businesses and thus the economy. Parks and schools. There is a lot of good information and known procedures about how to do that health-wise. Lots of dissension economy-wise.
Information, Misinformation, Disinformation and Lies
It's all out there. You could call it another form of virus. Some of it's reliable and helpful. Some of it is unreliable and harmful. Our parsing of information is dependent on many factors. Our race, our social class, our upbringing, our income, our education, our ability to access information, our political leanings, where we live. There's a massive amount of it and it changes daily. Trying to sort through it is overwhelming.
Leadership
Like information, forms of leadership are all out there. On-going displays of gross inability to lead. Calm, sensible, forthright, informed, courageous leadership. Everything in between. My fervent thanks to those who are stepping up. They are constant reminders that we have true leaders in our country and they're helping us all to manage this emergency. Yes, I'm talking about you, Andrew Cuomo!
Think about it, people: we're living history! Our lives have pivoted. We don't know our new normal yet, but we can say with certainty that what was normal won't ever be again. Fear and uncertainty are normal responses. So are curiosity and, eventually, acceptance.
Be kind. Be well. Be safe.
