Coronavirus and your family’s health

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Coronavirus has changed all of our lives

There’s only one thing people are talking about from Tucson to Timbuktu— COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus. As the shutdowns extend and life settles into a new normal, many are wondering want to learn more about the coronavirus and about what they can do to protect themselves and their families.

In the age of the Internet, search engines send people to websites based on what they’ve searched on. If you have ended up here, but have concerns about your health or the health of someone you know, please seek medical help immediately.
For accurate, authoritative information about COVID-19, visit the WHO (World Health Organization) website.

We are not health professionals and nothing provided below should be misconstrued as medical advice of any kind.

What is the coronavirus?

COVID-19 began as a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China in December of 2019. It is similar in its structure to other coronaviruses that have appeared in the last two decades, including MERS, Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, and SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

By the end of January 2020, COVID-19 had been named a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms vary from patient to patient, but there is consensus beginning to form in the medical community around what general symptoms to look for. According to the CDC here in the States, symptoms associated with this novel coronavirus include:

• Coughing
• Fever
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms typically present between 2 to 14 days after exposure. Anecdotal evidence suggests that losing one’s sense of smell and taste may also be a symptom, but this has not been confirmed, as of this writing, by the CDC.

It is recommended that you seek out emergency care, if your symptoms become severe. Severe symptoms, according to the CDC, include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Ongoing pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish tinge to the lips or face

This is by no means a comprehensive list; anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should consult with their personal healthcare professional.

Protecting your family from the coronavirus (COVID-19)

There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself. The good news is they are not unlike the steps you might take to protect yourself when the flu is going around:

1. Don’t get close to people who are sick, and maintain a 6-foot buffer between you and others when out in public. 
2. Stay home if you are feeling unwell to avoid spreading the disease.
3. Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue or the crook of your elbow.
4. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Washing should take at least 20 seconds, then dry thoroughly.
5. Avoid touching your face.
6. Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces throughout the day.

Air filters and coronavirus

As an added layer of protection, you can consider using a MERV 13 filter, such as the Tru Filtered Air solution, in your home. How does this help? A MERV 13 works to capture any viruses or bacteria that might be in the air in your home. According to some estimates, a MERV-13 can grab as much as 90 percent of particles in the air.

Using a MERV 13 air filter isn’t a failsafe solution, but it reduces contaminants and keeps the overall quality of your air healthier and cleaner, potentially boosting your immune system.

Stay safe, breathe well

Wherever you live, and however you’ve found yourself here, our team hopes you stay healthy and safe.