For answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus, click here.
Q: Our family is following strict social distancing practices, but don’t know how the coronavirus spreads. Can you explain?
A: Certainly! And thank you for your cooperation. Our best chance for preventing large-scale community spread of the coronavirus is largely dependent upon the degree to which people comply with social-distancing measures, which we should really think of as physical-distancing measures.
The coronavirus is believed to spread primarily from person-to-person contact. A cough or sneeze from an infected person releases respiratory droplets into the air. The droplets from the cough can land upon others or be inhaled by people in close proximity. Those who are nearby can infect themselves if they touch their own mouth or nose to introduce the virus into their own respiratory system.
It is also believed to be possible to become infected through contact with contaminated surfaces. The respiratory droplets from a cough will land on everything surrounding an infected individual. If someone else touches an object contaminated by a cough, it may be possible to become infected thereafter when the person touches their face.
This is not thought to be a common way the virus spreads, and it is not fully clear how long the virus can live on contaminated surfaces. Nevertheless, people should exercise an abundance of caution when touching surfaces in public places when they absolutely must leave the home: door handles, hand rails, surfaces in public restrooms, elevator buttons, gas pumps and ATM keypads, for example. Carry disinfecting wipes with you to sanitize such surfaces before you touch them and avoid touching your face until after you’ve had a chance to wash your hands.
All viruses behave differently, and some spread more easily than others. The coronavirus spreads easily. So easily, in fact, that it can spread through a community very quickly. We see this large-scale community spread in places like Italy and New York City.
There is also growing concern about spread from people who are infected, but not yet symptomatic. This is why social distancing remains the best way to prevent this infection. Please continue to wash your hands frequently, sanitize the surfaces you touch, stay away from large gatherings and maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet from other people whenever you do have to go out. It’s best to stay home as much as possible and only go out for essential trips such as for groceries or medical needs or work, if you can’t work from home.
For answers to additional questions, call the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 423-209-8383 or check our website at health.HamiltonTN.org.
– Dr. Paul Hendricks, health officer, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department