Updated on 05/04/2020, 2:40 PM EST
The news surrounding the coronavirus and COVID-19 seems to be all bad: the growing number of cases and deaths, rising unemployment numbers and uncertainty about the future.
While the news is distressing and disturbing, Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., the senior faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing, recently wrote about some good news we can focus on during the coronavirus pandemic.
Most people with COVID-19 recover.
The loss of life from COVID-19 is exceptionally sad, and we should support those who have contracted the virus or have lost loved ones from the disease.
Dr. Shmerling points out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 99% of people who have been infected with the coronavirus will recover, and some people will have no symptoms at all.
Remember: Although you may not display any symptoms of coronavirus infection, you can still pass the disease along to others. This is why it’s vitally important to practice good hygiene and social distancing measures.
The 1% COVID-19 death rate is lower than MERS (about 34%), SARS (about 11%) or Ebola (90%), and is slightly higher than seasonal flu (0.1%).
Children seem to be infected less often and have a milder case of the disease.
With the flu, young children are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.
According to Dr. Shmerling, the CDC reports that children infected with the coronavirus tend to have milder symptoms and that adults have had the majority of infections from the virus.
According to Dr. Shmerling, the CDC reports that children infected with the coronavirus tend to have milder symptoms and that adults have had the majority of infections from the virus.
It’s important to remember that children can be infected with the coronavirus and can spread the virus when they aren’t displaying any symptoms.
The internet exists.
Dr. Shmerling reminds us that the internet allows us to maintain our connections with friends and family and keep in contact with our health care providers. While we’re social distancing, we can virtually visit with friends and family and have virtual check-ups with our doctors.
Our response to future pandemics should improve.
During the 1918 flu pandemic, viruses were unknown and patients were treated with aspirin.
Science has made incredible advances in 100 years, but the coronavirus pandemic also exposed shortcomings in health care systems. Dr. Shmerling feels that future worldwide health crises will have a faster global response, better and quicker distribution of testing kits and more coordinated messaging.
Many people and organizations have stepped forward to improve the situation.
- Some major health insurers have promised to cover the care and testing related to COVID-19.
- Celebrities and athletes have donated significant resources to help those hurt by the pandemic, such as helping the workers at the stadiums where the athletes play.
- Newly approved legislation provides sick leave and paid family and medical leave for some American workers, free testing for the uninsured and added funding to states for Medicaid.
Click here to read more about positive news in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus pandemic will not be under control until a vaccine is developed, tested and distributed worldwide. However, there’s good news on this topic too, as researchers around the world race to create a vaccine.
It’s a challenging time for most, but there are reasons to remain positive and hopeful.
Help yourself stay productive by connecting to some affirmative good news each day.
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