Coronavirus v. the Flu - What we need to know about the Global Pandemic

The Justice Fighter Podcast

COVID19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus that emerged in China in December 2019. COVID-19 symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, unexplained loss of taste or smell, diarrhea and headache. COVID-19 can be severe, and some cases have caused death. The new coronavirus can be spread from person to person. It is diagnosed with a laboratory test.There is no coronavirus vaccine yet. Prevention involves frequent hand-washing, coughing into the bend of your elbow, staying home when you are sick and wearing a cloth face covering if you can't practice social distancing. Differences: COVID-19 and the Flu. COVID-19: Caused by one virus, the novel 2019 coronavirus, now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. Flu: Caused by any of several different types and strains of influenza viruses. While both the flu and COVID-19 may be transmitted in similar ways (see the Similarities section above), there is also a possible difference: COVID-19 might be spread through the airborne route, meaning that tiny droplets remaining in the air could cause disease in others even after the ill person is no longer near. COVID-19: Antiviral medications and other therapies are currently being tested to see if they can address symptoms. Antiviral medications can address symptoms and sometimes shorten the duration of the illness. COVID-19: No vaccine is available at this time, though it is in progress.Flu: A vaccine is available and effective to prevent some of the most dangerous types or to reduce the severity of the flu. COVID-19: Approximately 1,997,321 cases worldwide; 609,685 cases in the U.S. as of Apr. 15, 2020.* Flu: Estimated 1 billion cases worldwide; 9.3 million to 45 million cases in the U.S. per year. COVID-19: Approximately 127,601 deaths reported worldwide; 26,059 deaths in the U.S., as of Apr. 15, 2020. Flu: 291,000 to 646,000 deaths worldwide; 12,000 to 61,000 deaths in the U.S. per year