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Here’s All The Coronavirus Pandemic Terms You Need To Know Because We’re Not All Scientists

Allie

Ever feel like you have to be a scientist with all the new terms we’ve been introduced to the past few weeks? This coronavirus outbreak guide will help you understand what different new words scientists, officials, and journalists are using to describe the global pandemic mean. Keep reading to get a better grasp on all the coronavirus pandemic terms.

Here’s How To Avoid Coronavirus According To The CDC.

Coronavirus And Outbreak Terms You Need To Know

SARS-CoV-2

The scientific name of the virus that is causing the current pandemic. It’s short for “severe acute respiratory syndrome” “coronavirus” “2” (2nd known human version of this novel coronavirus).

Here’s How To Avoid SARS-CoV-2 According To The CDC.

COVID-19

This is the disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is what we call the illness. COVID-19 is short for “coronavirus disease 2019.” In other words, if you’re ill, then you’ll be diagnosed with COVID-19. You were infected with the virus SARS-CoV-2. This is similar to how the HIV virus (human immunodeficiency virus) causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Coronavirus

SARS-CoV-2 belongs to this family of viruses. The common cold is caused by coronaviruses. The 2003 SARS outbreak (SARS-CoV) was caused by a coronavirus. MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) is caused by a coronavirus. Coronaviruses are named because of their appearance when viewed under a microscope.

Endemic

A disease of condition that is regularly found and very common among a particular group or in a particular area. For instance, Malaria is endemic in many warmer tropical regions of the world. Other examples of endemic diseases are the flu and strep throat. There are four coronavirus strains that regularly infect humans, and most of these virus show up as colds. There is recent talk among medical professionals that SARS-CoV-2 becomes endemic as well.

Epidemic

Epidemic refers to an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population in an area. An epidemic is a less severe designation than a pandemic. While a pandemic can be characterized as a type of epidemic, an epidemic cannot be called a pandemic. An example of an epidemic would be the 2015-2016 outbreak of the Zika virus throughout South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Pandemic

A pandemic is when an epidemic has spread over several countries or continents. It usually affects a large number of people. On March 11, the COVID-19 outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the WHO. This is the first pandemic known to be caused by the emergence of a new (novel) coronavirus. In the past century, there have been four pandemics caused by the emergence of novel influenza viruses, such as the 1918 flu pandemic.

Source: John Hopkins University

Herd immunity

Herd immunity occurs when enough people become immune to a disease, and this can happen either through exposure to the virus or through a vaccine. Because COVID-19 is not fully understood yet, we don’t know how herd immunity works in humans in relation to the virus. Researchers are currently testing the blood of people who have recovered from COVID-19 to check for antibodies and to see if they are immune and remain immune to the virus and for how long. A vaccine to SARS-CoV-2 isn’t likely for at least 18 months.

Zoonotic disease

A zoonotic disease refers to an illness that can pass between animals and humans. COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease that started in bats and it is believed to have passed to humans through an intermediate host at a “wet market” in Wuhan, China. HIV, Ebola, and Zika are all viruses that are thought to have originated in animals before spreading to humans. Even influenza viruses and measles are believed to have originated in animals before crossing over and infecting humans.

R0

This is a term we are now hearing more often in relation to how contagious SARS-CoV-2 is to other people. R0 is a statistic that describes how contagious a disease is. COVID-19 is believed to have an R0 of about 2.5, which means that each infected person–whether showing symptoms or not–will probably infect two-and-a-half additional persons with the virus. Since each of those two or so people will infect about two-and-a-half more people each, you can see how quickly a virus can spread, especially since this is a new coronavirus not seen in people before late 2019. R0 is pronounced: r-nought.

Confirmed cases

This is the number of COVID-19 cases that actually been confirmed through diagnostic testing. Because of the shortage of tests, the real number of cases that exist is likely much higher.

Case fatality risk (CFR)

Simply put, this is the death rate. The case fatality risk, or CFR, refers to what percentage of COVID-19 cases are fatal, and it varies by both country and age group.

The reported case fatality risk is the number of deaths in relation to the number of reported cases. Percentages at the beginning of a pandemic tend to scale upwards, for example as of May 21, 2020 the reported case fatality risk of COVID-19 is 6.0% in the United States.

The real case fatality risk, or IFR-S, is the percentage of deaths in relations to the number of symptomatic cases. According to this study published by the University of Washington the real case fatality risk (IFR-S) of COVID-19 is 1.3%. By comparison, the IFR-S of seasonal flu is .1%.

Infection fatality rate (IFR)

Similar to case fatality risk, what the infection fatality rate, or IFR, does is determine what percentage of all COVID-19 cases are fatal, and attempts to account for asymptomatic cases. The final IFR will depend on country, region, healthcare availability, and other factors.

The IFR-S is the infection fatality rate among all symptomatic cases, sometimes expressed as the real case fatality risk. Studies confirm the IFR-S of COVID-19 is 1.3%. By comparison, the IFR-S of seasonal flu is .1%.

We won’t know the real infection fatality rate until much later. The real IFR of COVID-19 is likely to be 65% to 80% of the IFR-S. By comparison, the real IFR of seasonal flu is 85% of IFR-S.

Modes of transmission

This describes how a virus spreads from one person to another person. SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is mainly spread through droplet when a person coughs, sneezes, yells or speaks loudly. Scientists are still working out exactly how the virus spreads and under what conditions the virus is airborne–or how long viral pathogens can linger in the air. It’s possible that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route just like the 2003 SARS-CoV virus. This is why good hygiene is so important! The CDC is now recommending the use of cloth face coverings or homemade face masks when out in public in order to slow down the spread of COVID-19. When 80% of a population uses face masks and cloth face coverings studies show cases of communicable diseases plummet.

Here’s an excellent, simple way to teach kids how to wash their hands.

Cabin Fever

Not a technical, scientific term, but it definitely feels real! Governor Cuomo of New York talked about cabin fever in a recent press conference and described it as feelings of isolation, mood swings, resentment of people around you (especially those who are in authority during this pandemic), and being prone to irrational outbursts. If you are feeling cabin fever, then Governor Cuomo recommends exercise (specifically he said he is going to take up running with his family) and finding beneficial ways to ease anxiety (such as talking with a metal health professional). He says he believes even pets can feel cabin fever and we need to find constructive ways to deal with it.

Have kids? Check out these STUCK AT HOME ideas.

Working remotely? Here’s How To Work From Home And Actually Get Things Done.

Flatten the Curve

This refers to slowing down the spread of the coronavirus (or any virus) so hospitals don’t reach capacity and are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. The “curve” researchers are talking about refers to the projected number of people who will contract COVID-19 over a period of time. We can mitigate the spread and flatten the curve through social distancing measures.

Source: CDC

Hydroxychloroquine

A widely used and well-studied medicine used to treat Malaria and fevers in tropical regions of the world. It treats malaria by killing the parasites that cause the disease. The drug is used to treat lupus and erythematosus (rheumatoid arthritis). It is still not well understood exactly how hydroxychloroquine works, but it is thought to affect how the immune system works. Some studies have shown that patients suffering from COVID-19 in the early stages show some improvement when given hydroxychloroquine. Recent studies of hydroxychloroquine show no benefit in treating COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine has potential serious side effects a few of which include permanent blurred vision, heart disease, and mental health effects.

Remdesivir

Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication developed by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences. As of 2020, remdesivir is being tested as a specific treatment for COVID-19, and has been authorized for emergency use in the U.S. and approved for use in Japan for people with severe symptoms. It has successfully treated ebola patients.

Convalescent Plasma

It is possible that convalescent plasma from those that have recovered contains antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) which is why this old therapuetic treatment is being used in hospitals to treat the critically ill and most vulnerable with novel coronavirus.

Social Distancing

This refers to the act of people physically distancing themselves in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. People should stay at least 6 feet from others, except those in their own household. The CDC also now recommends that everyone (except those under two years of age) wear cloth face coverings in public. Social distancing helps flatten the curve.

Face mask vs Cloth face covering

This is an attempt by healthcare officials, such as the CDC, to distinguish between face masks that should be preserved for healthcare workers since they need them the most, and face masks that you make at home (what officials are calling cloth face coverings) to protect yourself, but more likely those around you. Here’s why the CDC now recommends that everyone wear a face mask while out in public. When 80% of a population uses face masks and cloth face coverings studies show cases of communicable diseases plummet.

Stay at home vs Safe at home vs Shelter in place vs Quarantine

Okay, this is a confusing one–especially with so many cities, counties, states, and officials using these terms interchangeably. Texas Governor Abbott has stated in a press conference that his order is a “safe at home” order and that he does not agree with the term under the state current order being referred to as “stay at home” or “shelter in place.” Basically, for NOW think of “stay at home,” “safe at home,” and “shelter in place” orders as you staying home except to do essential work or essential activities. Since children are especially good at spreading germs, this is why Governor Abbott closed schools in Texas.

A quarantine on the other hand means that you have been ordered to stay home under ALL circumstances because either you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or you have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

Rapid Testing Program

Until a rapid testing program at scale is available we will are going to have a difficult time getting a handle on this virus. Abbott laboratories has developed a new rapid test that can detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus as early as 5 minutes. Abbott is working hard on making 50,000 of these tests available every day during the pandemic to those that need testing.

CARES Act

The shut down of the U.S. economy caused by the cornavirus pandemic have caused massive financial losses and financial ruin for millions of Americans. The CARES Act is a newly passed legislation aimed at mitigating those losses during the pandemic and stimulating the United States economy. Most Americans will receive $1,200 payment (married taxpayers $2,400). Small businesses are eligible for low interest rate SBA loans (up to a $10,000 cash advance is 100% forgivable), and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Get more details on the newly passed CARES Act and learn how much you’ll be getting here.

Essential vs Non-essential Work

The Department of Homeland Security has designated what is essential vs non-essential work. Since the list is so long, we invite you to go through this list by DHS yourself. Briefly, businesses that are deemed “essential” are those that are in healthcare, food supply (i.e. grocery stores, restaurants), infrastructure, media (local, national news, journalists, and even certain bloggers are covered), communications, transportation, financial sector, governments, and law enforcement.

Coronavirus And Outbreak Terms You Need To Know

This guide will help you understand all the coronavirus pandemic and outbreak terms scientists and officials are using. Here’s all the coronavirus pandemic terms you need to know.

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