Coronavirus Series: All You Need to Know About Staying Safe During this Pandemic

All of us have been affected by the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. In this series of articles, we present helpful information that can help you and your family stay safe. We also try to answer the most pressing questions our current and potential clients may have regarding how this outbreak may affect their personal injury claims.

With the number of infected individuals surpassing 1.3 million and the death toll (at the time of the writing of this article) surpassing 84,000 people, the US is at the moment one of the hardest-hit countries in the COVID-19 pandemic. The novel coronavirus has already taken an extraordinary toll on every aspect of our daily life, changing the pace to an extent we previously thought unimaginable.

The virus has overwhelmed our healthcare system, sent our economy into a downward spiral, and locked many of us inside our homes for weeks on end. Now, after more than 5 months since the pandemic began in our country, the future remains uncertain, even as efforts are being made to bring back a semblance of normalcy to our routines and economic activities.

If there’s one thing the pandemic hasn’t changed, however, it is the unfortunate reality of personal injury. Even at a time like this, people still get hurt in accidents and suffer due to the negligent actions of others. 

That’s why Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers has been closely monitoring this outbreak and its effects from the very start in order to maintain high-quality service while ensuring the safety of our employees and our clients. With our staff working remotely, we remain fully operational and as ready as ever to serve the members of our community who have been wrongfully injured and fight for their compensation rights.

At the same time, we recognize that the present outbreak poses new threats and challenges to our neighbors and to the personal injury process. That’s why we decided to dedicate a series of blog articles to the unique concerns of PI claimants during this pandemic. 

In the opening installment of this series, we will share some basic information to help our readers and the members of our community make sure that they and their families stay safe during this outbreak.

Be Aware of the Danger

This pandemic has often been compared to a war. If the coronavirus is our invisible enemy, then learning about this enemy is the only way we will be able to successfully wage war against it. What’s especially important is to be keenly aware of the real dangers and threats the virus poses to ourselves, our loved ones, and our healthcare system. This will allow all of us to take appropriate actions to stay safe. At the same time, it will also help us to maintain a positive outlook and protect us from being overwhelmed by fear.

For example, according to the current state of scientific research, the novel coronavirus is definitely more dangerous than the seasonal flu. For one, it is about two times more contagious than the flu. Second, coronavirus has proven to be more lethal in that it causes more people to succumb to the disease faster than the flu. Third, while flu symptoms show up within 2 days of the infection, the onset of coronavirus’ symptoms can be delayed for 5 days or more. Some infected people don’t even experience any symptoms while still spreading the virus!

On the other hand, staying aware and informed about the danger can help you take appropriate precautions while not giving in to panic. For example, a few pieces of information that can help you keep a positive outlook are:

• So far, 80 percent of cases have been mild
• There are 13 times more people recovering than succumbing to the virus, and this factor is continuing to grow
• Symptoms are mild in children

Stay Informed

With so much information (and misinformation) available about the novel coronavirus, staying abreast of the situation can be a challenge. On the other hand, regular exposure to too much news about the pandemic may be overwhelming and cause additional, unnecessary stress. 

That’s why choosing the right amount and the right sources of information is of tantamount importance. Here are a few practical tips that will help you strike the right balance:

• Consider whether the source is trustworthy or not. You can find up-to-date, scientifically proven information and advice on coronavirus on webpages such as the dedicated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page as well as the World Health Organization coronavirus page.
• If reading or hearing news stories about coronavirus makes you feel anxious or distressed, limit your media intake to the essential minimum from highest-authority sources. For example, you can find information about local government decisions that may directly affect you on this page prepared by the Kentucky government and the corresponding page for Tennessee.
• Remember that information can change. We’re dealing with a novel coronavirus–it’s new, and the scientific community keeps discovering new details about the virus and the most effective ways of preventing it. So when guidelines change–as was the case with wearing face masks–don’t get discouraged or suspicious. Rather, try to keep up with the current state of knowledge on COVID-19 and apply the latest guidelines.

Take Practical Steps

While COVID-19 dangerous, we already know the steps we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones from it. Thankfully, these steps are easy to implement, relatively cheap, and can be truly effective. 

Some of these steps include:

• Washing your hands often, especially when you come back home from work, shopping, or running errands. You should use running water (cold or warm) and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to scrub thoroughly and distribute the soap evenly. You can find more tips on how to properly wash your hands here.
• Wearing a face mask in public. This can protect you from contracting the virus and also prevent you from spreading the disease in case you already have the virus and are asymptomatic.
• Maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet apart from others in shops and other public places.
• Refraining from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. It may prevent the virus from entering your system.
• Staying home if the number of cases in your area starts to surge if at all possible for you. If you feel unwell, it is essential to self-quarantine in order not to spread the disease.
• Seeking medical attention if you have stronger symptoms such as high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Call in advance.
• Following the latest guidelines on social distancing and complying with other measures taken by your local health authority.

It is our greatest wish that you and your family stay safe, stay healthy, and maintain a positive outlook during this trying time. We also hope that you find the information in this article helpful and practical. Stay tuned for the next article in this series in which we will explain how the coronavirus situation may affect your current or future personal injury claim.