Searcy, AR (LP) — We understand that there may be concern over the safety and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. We have closely examined the FDA’s process for overseeing the many different vaccine trials. The FDA is required to make decisions that are guided by science and data regarding authorization or approval of COVID-19 vaccines. World Immunization Week – celebrated in the last week of April (24 to 30 April) – aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions.
Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like wearing masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19. Mrs. Crisler says, “ I think that a vaccine will probably help with the spread of covid if first an effective vaccine is developed and second if around 90% of the population takes the vaccines. Those are 2 very big things that have to happen.” The most common side effects found in the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine trials included pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain and joint pain, according to a Food and Drug Administration analysis released Tuesday. Mrs. Crisler says, “ I think one of the companies working on a vaccine will have it on the market in 3-4 months, but I do not think the first couple of vaccines introduced will be very useful. I think we are rushing the process. Historically, it takes an average of 10 years to develop a reliable vaccine.” Wearing cloth masks can help prevent people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading the virus. Make sure your cloth mask fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, completely covers the nose and mouth, is secured with ties or ear loops, includes multiple layers of fabric, allows for breathing without restriction, and can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. Cloth masks should NOT be worn by children less than 2 years old or anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Mrs. Crisler says, “We do not currently have a FDA approved vaccine.” Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.
Mrs. Crisler says, “ I think either the US or Britain or maybe China will be the first to have an effective vaccine.” Drinking alcohol does not prevent or treat coronavirus infection and may impair immune function. While hand sanitizers containing 60-95% ethyl alcohol can help destroy the coronavirus on surfaces, drinking alcohol—including beverages with high percentages of alcohol offers no protection from the virus. Mrs. Crisler says, “Antibiotics cannot treat the actual covid virus because antibiotics do not work on virus, but the Covid 19 virus can make it’s victims susceptible to other illnesses that are often caused by bacteria such as pneumonia-so some people may have secondary illnesses treated with antibiotics.” No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. Antibiotics do not prevent or treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19), because COVID-19 is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Mrs. Crisler says, “There are many symptoms of covid 19. Some people I know who have test positive have had both severe headaches and stomach issues. One of the reasons it is hard to keep covid from spreading is the similarities in covid symptoms and symptoms of other common illnesses such as colds, strep throat, and flu.”
Per the WHO, heat at 56 degrees Celsius kills the SARS coronavirus at around 10,000 units per 15 minutes (quick reduction). Mrs. Crisler says, “We all need to respect each other- wear our masks, limit social activity, wash our hands frequently, and stay isolated when we even suspect we are ill.” There is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through semen or vaginal fluids, but the virus has been detected in the semen of people who have or are recovering from the virus. Further research is needed to determine if the COVID-19 virus could be transmitted sexually. There is no evidence to suggest that food produced in the United States or imported from countries affected by COVID-19 can transmit COVID-19. Although for most people COVID-19 causes only mild illness, it can make some people very ill. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people, and those with pre- existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes) appear to be more vulnerable.
Coronaviruses are thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Although the virus can survive for a short period on some surfaces, it is unlikely to be spread from domestic or international mail, products or packaging. In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures. People with asthma fall into that higher risk category. If you have asthma, COVID-19 may be more likely to affect your respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs), cause an asthma attack, and possibly lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that handling food or eating is associated with directly spreading COVID-19. It is possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object, including food, food packaging, or utensils that have the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way that the virus is spread. Remember, it is always important to follow food safety practices to reduce the risk of illness from common foodborne germs. Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects. Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces. Scientists are still studying whether ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun destroys the coronavirus.
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate and some versions of chloroquine phosphate are FDA-approved to treat malaria. Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is also FDA-approved to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. A review of studies by public health experts convened by WHO on 29 April 2020 found that smokers are more likely to develop severe disease with COVID-19, compared to non-smokers. COVID-19 is an infectious disease that primarily attacks the lungs. Smoking impairs lung function making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other diseases. Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes which put people with these conditions at higher risk for developing severe illness when affected by COVID-19. The virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in the feces of some patients diagnosed with COVID-19. However, it is unclear whether the virus found in feces may be capable of causing COVID-19. There has not been any confirmed report of the virus spreading from feces to a person. 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.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global health threat, and CDC is committed to stopping it’s spread. CDC has a long history of strengthening public health capacity throughout the world to contain outbreaks at their source and minimize their impact. CDC is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to assist countries to prepare for and respond to COVID-19. CDC routinely provides technical assistance to ministries of health and subnational and international partners to improve our collective response to infectious disease threats like COVID-19. Basic soap-and-water scrubbing can, in fact, kill bacteria and viruses like coronavirus. You can use regular dish soap and hot water to clean surfaces (be sure to rinse with plain water) before applying a disinfectant to kill even more germs.
