SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to limit gatherings to 250 people to counter the spread of new coronavirus.
Newsom said California public health officials late Wednesday issued an updated policy saying “non-essential" gatherings such as sporting events, concerts and conferences should be postponed or canceled until at least the end of March.
Smaller events can proceed only if organizers can keep people at least six feet apart to avoid transmission of the virus.
The policy does not apply to school classes. Newsom said he recognizes this will harm many businesses but says it also will save lives.
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COVID19 BACKGROUND
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine; however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
WHY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE SO CONCERNED
Some people have compared the low overall death toll to the flu's high annual death toll in the United States as a reason not to be concerned about COVID-19, however, doctors and health officials are concerned for three main reasons:
- There's no vaccine yet and won't be one for until early 2021, at the soonest. Scientists are still researching what other medications could help patients.
- Some people have built up immunity to the flu, but few have immunity to COVID-19 version of coronavirus.
- Both the flu and COVID-19 are spread by droplets, but COVID-19 might be spread in the air. Scientists are researching exactly how COVID-19 spreads.
HEAR FROM DOCTORS:
Dr. Payal Kohli, a cardiologist & doctor of internal medicine, spoke with ABC10's Walt Gray about the novel coronavirus, those most at risk, vaccine timeline, & more.
Dr. Dean Blumberg, the Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis, answered some FAQs from ABC10 viewers about the coronavirus:
Read more about coronavirus from ABC10:
- Then-and-now photos show Rome tourist attractions nearly deserted in outbreak
- President Trump suspends travel from Europe to US for 30 days over coronavirus
- State Department advises all US citizens to 'reconsider travel abroad' due to virus pandemic
- Is that sniffle the flu, allergies, or coronavirus?
- Coronavirus is a pandemic. So what does that mean?
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