COVID-19 RESOURCEs
How to improve the fit of a surgical mask to improve its effectiveness by up to 20%
Signs/posters for small businesses - for mask-wearing, hand-washing, etc. (Thanks to Emma M. for sharing this with me!)
CDC symptom checker - interactive chat box asks you questions and gives recommendations for what to do.
Above: How to make your own cloth mask. The CDC now recommends that Americans wear a mask when leaving the house to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Statistics -
This health data site includes projections for resource use, when cases are going to start to decline, when each state can relax quarantine restrictions, etc.
The New York Times interactive map - the US gov’t hasn’t been able to do it, so the NYT has. Fabulous graphics using the most up to date data. By country, by state, by county.
The COVID tracking project - all the raw data!!
Worldometer - by country. Click on USA for state by state info.
Check out this article from the NYT about what to make of the different numbers, and what they imply about how the U.S. will progress relative to Wuhan, Italy, etc.
Coronavirus and age - see this summary article. Risk of death or serious illness increase with age. If you’re <30 and healthy, your risk of permanent lung damage or death is very low (not non-existent). You are staying inside to protect your dad, your grandma, your friend with asthma, your brother with hypertension. If you’re older, it’s both for your own safety and that of others.
Pregnancy and coronavirus - here is the CDC’s page on the subject. In short, data is limited, but so far it seems pregnant people have a similar risk to non-pregnant people. If you’re able to, you should still plan to breastfeed. If you’re COVID-19 positive, wear a mask and make sure your hands are clean while doing so.
Videos about the virus
<10 min video summarizes transmission, infection, and what it means to “flatten the curve”.
Longer video by a surgeon about how the virus kills you - very entertaining and informative. Will move you, emotionally, and goes over some excellent basic anatomy and physiology. Explains why we need ventilators. Goes over whether this whole quarantine business is overblown, or whether we are not taking it seriously enough.