SYNW
LAUNCHES COVID-19 CORRESPONDENCE COURSE BY EMAIL, JOINS FIGHT AGAINST THE
PANDEMIC VIRUS.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers has again
launched another of her latest project tagged “Covid-19 Correspondence Course” aims
at informing, educating and testing the knowledge and ability of the
participant on issues surrounding Covid-19 pandemic virus.
The course covers areas like introduction to the
Virus, Transmission, Medical information and Prevention. The course is an internet
based and certificate of participation/completion will be issued to individual
participant at the end of the course.
No turning out at night and traveling to evening
classes. No taking notes from lectures, everything is written down for you to
study at will and revise as often as you like. No being held back because of
slower students in the class. No being rushed too quickly ahead because a
lecturer has to keep up with a timetable. You don’t have to take a chance on
how good you are.
Aim and Objectives of the Course
1.
To inform and educate the masses on the Convid-19
Pandemic disease.
2.
To test the ability/knowledge of the participant on
issues surrounding the virus
3.
To help the Federal Government fight against the spread
of Covid-19 virus in Nigeria
4.
To help Nigerian government provide advice on how best
to fight the virus.
Benefits
of Participation
1.
Issuance of Certificate of Participation/Completion to
interested participants
2.
Automatic Membership into the Society
How to
participate:
1.
Send your Name, Age, State, Phone Number and Email to
08072673852 (SMS and Whatsapp only).
2.
After that, log on to https://covid19correspondencecourse.blogspot.com/
3.
Read carefully the whole write-up on the blog
4.
Go to the question section and answer the whole
questions
5.
Kindly send your answers to societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com,
also remember to copy woleadedoyin@gmail.com.
6.
Statement of Result will be forwarded to you to notify
you if you fail or pass.
7.
If you pass, then your Certificate of
Participation/Completion will be forwarded to your mail box.
For further
enquiries call:
Wole Adedoyin
President
Tel:
+2348072673852 (Call, SMS and Whatsapp)
Website-Blog: https://societyofyoungnigerianwritersblog.blogspot.com,CC:woleadedoyin@gmail.com
SEE COURSE BELOW
COVID-19 CORRESPONDENCE COURSE
POWERED BY THE SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS
Carefully read the write-ups below and use it to answer the
following questions.
Participant(s) are to forward their answers to: societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com
and copy, woleadedoyin@gmail.com
FACTS ABOUT COVID-19
Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the name given to the
2019 novel coronavirus. COVID-19 is the name given to the disease associated
with the virus. SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been
previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are viruses that circulate
among animals with some of them also known to infect humans.
Bats are considered natural hosts of these
viruses yet several other species of animals are also known to act as sources.
For instance, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is
transmitted to humans from camels, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1) is transmitted to humans from civet cats. More
information on coronaviruses can be found in the ECDC factsheet.
The novel coronavirus detected in China in
2019 is closely related genetically to the SARS-CoV-1 virus. SARS emerged at
the end of 2002 in China, and it caused more than 8 000 cases in 33 countries
over a period of eight months. Around one in ten of the people who developed
SARS died.
As of 30 March 2020, the COVID-19
outbreak had caused over 700 000 cases worldwide since
the first case was reported in China in January 2020. Of these, more than
30 000 are known to have died.
While the viruses that cause both COVID-19 and
seasonal influenza are transmitted from person-to-person and may cause similar
symptoms, the two viruses are very different and do not behave in the
same way.
ECDC estimates that between 15 000 and 75 000
people die prematurely due to causes associated with seasonal influenza
infection each year in the EU, the UK, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This
is approximately 1 in every 1 000 people who are infected. Despite the
relatively low mortality rate for seasonal influenza, many people die from the
disease due to the large number of people who contract it each year. The
concern about COVID-19 is that, unlike influenza, there is no vaccine and no
specific treatment for the disease. It also appears to be more transmissible
than seasonal influenza. As it is a new virus, nobody has prior immunity, which
means that the entire human population is potentially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2
infection.
TRANSMISSION
While animals are believed to be the original
source, the virus spread is now from person to person
(human-to-human transmission). There is not enough
epidemiological information at this time to determine how easily this
virus spreads between people, but it is currently estimated that, on average,
one infected person will infect between two and three other people.
The virus seems to
be transmitted mainly via small respiratory droplets
through sneezing, coughing, or when people interact with each other for some
time in close proximity (usually less than one metre). These droplets can then
be inhaled, or they can land on surfaces that others may come into contact
with, who can then get infected when they touch their nose, mouth or eyes. The
virus can survive on different surfaces from several hours (copper, cardboard)
up to a few days (plastic and stainless steel). However, the amount of viable
virus declines over time and may not always be present in sufficient numbers to
cause infection.
The incubation period for
COVID-19 (i.e. the time between exposure to the virus and onset
of symptoms) is currently estimated to
bet between one and 14 days.
We know that the virus can be transmitted
when people who are infected show symptoms such as coughing. There is also
some evidence suggesting that transmission can occur from a person that is
infected even two days before showing symptoms; however, uncertainties remain
about the effect of transmission by non-symptomatic persons.
The infectious period may begin one to two days
before symptoms appear, but people are likely most infectious during the
symptomatic period, even if symptoms are mild and very non-specific. The
infectious period is now estimated to last for 7-12 days in moderate cases and
up to two weeks on average in severe cases.
Preliminary data from the EU/EEA (from the countries
with available data) show that around 20-30% of diagnosed COVID-19 cases are
hospitalised and 4% have severe illness. Hospitalisation rates are higher for
those aged 60 years and above, and for those with other underlying health
conditions.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Symptoms of COVID-19 vary in severity from having
no symptoms at all (being asymptomatic) to having fever, cough, sore throat,
general weakness and fatigue and muscular pain and in the most severe cases,
severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and septic shock,
all potentially leading to death. Reports show that clinical deterioration can
occur rapidly, often during the second week of disease.
Recently, anosmia – loss of the sense of smell –
(and in some cases the loss of the sense of taste) have been reported as a
symptom of a COVID-19 infection. There is already evidence from South Korea,
China and Italy that patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection have
developed anosmia/hyposmia, in some cases in the absence of any other symptoms.
South Korea, China and Italy that patients with
confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection have developed anosmia/hyposmia, in some cases
in the absence of any other symptoms.
Elderly people above 70 years of age and
those with underlying health conditions (e.g. hypertension, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and cancer)
are considered to be more at risk of developing severe symptoms. Men in
these groups also appear to be at a slightly higher risk than females.
Children make up a very small proportion of
reported COVID-19 cases, with about 1% of all cases reported being under 10
years, and 4% aged 10-19 years. Children appear as likely to be infected as
adults, but they have a much lower risk than adults of developing symptoms or
severe disease. There is still some uncertainty about the extent to which
asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic children transmit disease.
There is limited scientific evidence on the
severity of illness in pregnant women after COVID-19 infection. It seems that
pregnant women appear to experience similar clinical manifestations
as non-pregnant women who have progressed to COVID-19 pneumonia and
to date (as of 25 March), there have been no maternal deaths, no pregnancy
losses and only one stillbirth reported. No current evidence suggests that
infection with COVID-19 during pregnancy has a negative effect on the foetus.
At present, there is no evidence of transmission of COVID-19 from mother to
baby during pregnancy and only one confirmed COVID-19 neonatal case has been
reported to date.
ECDC will continue to monitor the emerging
scientific literature on this question, and suggests that all pregnant women
follow the same general precautions for the prevention of COVID-19, including
regular handwashing, avoiding individuals who are sick, and self-isolating in
case of any symptoms, while consulting a healthcare provider by telephone for
advice.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for
this disease.
Healthcare providers are mostly using a
symptomatic approach, meaning they treat the symptoms rather than target the
virus, and provide supportive care (e.g. oxygen therapy, fluid management) for
infected persons, which can be highly effective.
In severe and critically ill patients, a number
of drugs are being tried to target the virus, but the use of these need to be
more carefully assessed in randomised controlled trials. Several clinical
trials are ongoing to assess their effectiveness but results are not yet
available.
As this is a new virus, no vaccine is currently
available. Although work on a vaccine has already started by several research
groups and pharmaceutical companies worldwide, it may be months to more than a
year before a vaccine has been tested and is ready for use in humans.
Current
advice for testing depends on the stage of the outbreak in the country or area
where you live. Testing approaches will be adapted to the situation at national
and local level. National authorities may decide to test only subgroups of
suspected cases based on the national capacity to test, the availability of
necessary equipment for testing, the level of community transmission of
COVID-19, or other criteria.
As
a resource conscious approach, ECDC has suggested that national authorities may
consider prioritising testing in the following groups:
- hospitalised patients with severe respiratory infections;
- symptomatic healthcare staff including those with mild symptoms;
- cases with acute respiratory infections in hospital or long-term care facilities;
- patients with acute respiratory infections or influenza-like illness in certain outpatient clinics or hospitals;
- elderly people with underlying chronic medical conditions such as lung disease, cancer, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, liver disease, diabetes, and immunocompromising conditions.
If you are feeling ill with COVID-19 symptoms
(such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle pain or general weakness),
it is recommended that you contact your local healthcare services online or by
telephone.
If your healthcare provider believes there is a need for a
laboratory test for the virus that causes COVID-19, he/she will inform
you of the procedure to follow and advise where
and how the test can be performed.
A large proportion of the population (up to
15-20%) reports seasonal symptoms related to pollen, the most common of which
include itchy eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose and sometimes wheezing and
skin rash. All these symptoms are usually referred to as hay fever, pollen
allergy or more appropriately allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is commonly
associated with allergic asthma in children and adults.
Allergies, including mild allergic asthma, have
not been identified as a major risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection or for a
more unfavourable outcome in the studies available so far. Moderate to severe
asthma on the other hand, where patients need treatment daily, is included in
the chronic lung conditions that predispose to severe disease.
Children and adults on maintenance medication for
allergies (e.g. leukotriene inhibitors, inhaled corticosteroids and/or
bronchodilators) need to continue their treatment as prescribed by their doctor
and should not discontinue their medication due to fears of COVID-19. If they
develop symptoms compatible with COVID-19, they will need to self-isolate,
inform their doctor and monitor their health as everyone else. If progressive
difficulty breathing develops, they should seek prompt medical assistance.
No, there is no more reason for people suffering
from pollen allergy to self-isolate if they develop their typical hay-fever
symptoms than for anyone else. They should continue following the general
guidance for physical distancing and seek medical advice if their symptoms get
worse, if they develop fever or progressive difficulty breathing.
PREVENTION
The virus enters your body via your eyes,
nose and/or mouth, so it is important to avoid touching your face with
unwashed hands.
Washing of hands with soap and water for at least
20 seconds, or cleaning hands thoroughly with alcohol-based solutions, gels or
tissues is recommended in all settings. It is also recommended to stay one
metre or more away from people infected with COVID-19 who are showing symptoms,
to reduce the risk of infection through respiratory droplets.
To avoid infecting others?
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue. If you use a tissue, dispose of it carefully after a single use
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Stay one metre or more away from people to reduce the risk of spreading the virus through respiratory droplets.
If
you feel unwell, stay at home. If you develop any symptoms suggestive of
COVID-19, you should immediately call your healthcare
provider for advice.
Physical
distancing aims to reduce physical contact between potentially infected people
and healthy people, or between population groups with high rates of
transmission and others with low or no level of transmission. The objective of
this is to decrease or interrupt the spread of COVID-19.
Note
that the term ‘physical distancing’ means the same thing as the widely used
term ‘social distancing’, but it more accurately describes what is intended,
namely that people keep physically apart. Physical distancing measures
might be implemented over an extended period and their success depends on
ensuring that people maintain social contact – from a distance – with friends,
family and colleagues. Internet-based communications and the phone are
therefore key tools for ensuring a successful physical distancing strategy.
On
a personal level, you can perform physical distancing measures by:
- Voluntarily self-isolating if you know you have the virus that causes COVID-19, or if you have suggestive respiratory symptoms, or if you belong to a high-risk group (i.e. you are aged 70 years or more, or you have an underlying health condition).
Many
countries in the EU/EEA and the UK have installed quarantine and
social/physical distancing as measures to prevent the further spread of the
virus.
These
measures can include:
- The full or partial closure of educational institutions and workplaces;
- Limiting the number of visitors and limiting the contact between the residents of confined settings, such as long-term care facilities and prisons;
- Cancellation, prohibition and restriction of mass gatherings and smaller meetings;
- Mandatory quarantine of buildings or residential areas;
- Internal or external border closures;
- Stay-at-home restrictions for entire regions or countries.
If you are infected, follow the guidelines of the
public health authorities in your area on the steps to take or call the local
COVID-19 helpline.
If you are infected, the use of surgical face
masks may reduce the risk of you infecting other people. On the other hand
there is no evidence that face masks will effectively
prevent you from becoming infected with the virus. In fact, it is possible that
the use of face masks may even increase the risk of infection due to a false
sense of security and increased contact between hands, mouth and eyes while
wearing them. The inappropriate use of masks also may increase the risk of
infection.
There are currently no vaccines against human
coronaviruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19.
This is why it is very important
to prevent infection and to take measures to contain further
spread of the virus.
The development
of vaccines take time. Several pharmaceutical companies and
research laboratories are working on vaccine candidates. It
will, however, take months or years before any vaccine can
be widely used, as it needs to undergo extensive testing in clinical
trials to determine its safety and efficacy. These
clinical trials are an essential precursor to regulatory approval and usually
take place in three phases. The first, involving a few dozen healthy
volunteers, tests the vaccine for safety, monitoring for adverse effects. The
second, involving several hundred people, usually in a part of the world badly
affected by the disease, looks at how effective the vaccine is in the field,
and the third does the same in several thousand people.
Influenza and the virus that causes COVID-19 are
two very different viruses and the seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect
against COVID-19.
Health care workers can also contract the virus
if they come into contact with patients more often than the general public WHO
recommends that health care workers consistently apply appropriate.
QUESTIONS
Participant(s) are to forward their answers to: societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com
and copy, woleadedoyin@gmail.com
FACTS ABOUT COVID-19
1. What is SARS-CoV-2? What is COVID-19?
2. Where do coronaviruses come from?
3. Is this virus comparable to SARS or to the seasonal flu?
4. What is the mode of transmission? How (easily) does it spread?
5. When is a person infectious?
6. How severe is COVID-19 infection?
MEDICAL INFORMATION
1. What are the symptoms of COVID-19 infection
2. Are some people more at risk than others?
3. Are children also at risk of infection and what is their potential role in transmission?
4. What is the risk of infection in pregnant women and neonates?
5. Is there a treatment for the COVID-19 disease?
6. When should I be tested for COVID-19?
7. Where can I get tested?
8. Do persons suffering from pollen allergy or allergies in general have a higher risk to develop severe disease when having COVID-19?
9. Should people who suffer from pollen allergy self-isolate if they develop typical hay fever symptoms?
PREVENTION
1. How can I avoid getting infected?
2. How can I avoid infecting others?
3. What is physical distancing and why and how
should I do it?
