With so much frightening news coverage about the coronavirus pandemic, it is easy to believe that catching the virus indicates an emergency situation. There is no reason to panic if you start developing symptoms like fever and a cough.

Unfortunately, fear is causing people to wonder if there is coronavirus first aid that we should all know about. In a word, no. We all need to remember that four out of every five coronavirus cases are mild. Many patients do not even exhibit symptoms at all.

• A Lot of Bad News

Most of what we hear today from the news media amplifies the most serious cases. Whether or not that’s because the media is after headlines is really not worth debating at this point. We can argue about it later. It is more important to focus on the facts now. And the facts are that only a small percentage of coronavirus cases lead to serious illness or death.

So if there’s no first aid we should know about, how do we care for someone who is sick? For that we turn to the CDC. Their website offers some very good information.

• CDC Recommendations

The CDC stresses the need to not panic if you or someone in your household begins developing coronavirus symptoms. Here is what they recommend in more detail:

Stay Home

The vast majority of coronavirus patients are perfectly capable of recovering at home. They recommend anyone who develops symptoms to do just that. Stay home and take care of yourself just as you would if you had the flu or a cold. Leaving home should be limited to seeking medical care.

Contact Your Doctor

Symptoms of coronavirus are ample reason to contact your doctor. But again, don’t panic and demand an appointment. Your doctor is likely to be able to give you great advice over the phone. If your doctor’s office offers telemedicine appointments, feel free to secure one. Either way, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and then advise you from there.

Stay Away from Public Transportation

The CDC says that you should avoid public transportation if you are sick. The reasoning here is pretty simple: you want to avoid spreading the virus to others if you are infected by it. You are better off taking a taxi, using a ride-share company, or asking a friend or relative to get you to the doctor.

Isolate at Home

Finally, symptoms of illness are good reason to isolate yourself at home. Stay away from family members and ask them to do the same. If you have to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with your hands and then wash your hands immediately afterward. You might even wear a surgical mask if you have one.

Practice good hygiene for the duration of your illness – and beyond. That means regular hand washing and keeping your hands away from your face. It means regularly cleaning surfaces you come into contact with.

• Keeping Visitors Away

It should be obvious that keeping visitors away from your house is important while you’re sick. Vivint Smart Home recommends making use of your video doorbell, if you have one. If not, post a note on the front door letting people know that you are in isolation. You might also want to send text messages or emails to family and friends, asking them to stay away for the time being.

There is no specific first aid for COVID-19 cases. However, what you have read in this post should facilitate recovery and prevent the spread of the virus in the event that you get sick.

Daisey Bell

I am Daisy Bell and a pro-level blogger with years of experience in writing for multiple industries. I have extensive knowledge of Food, Fitness, Healthcare, business, fashion, and many other popular niches. I have post graduated in arts and have a keen interest in traveling.