Coronavirus advice: a collection of useful links, articles, videos and info
Here’s a collection of material to help give you a better understanding of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Including latest news, advice on what you can do, and explanations of the virus itself.
If you find other useful material let me know in the comments.
An intro
You’re probably hearing about “social distancing”. This video ‘Why fighting the coronavirus depends on you’ by Vox gives a simple introduction to the coronavirus and explains how social distancing will help save lives.
Advice on coronavirus (audio podcast)
I find the ‘Coronacast’ podcast to be a good simple, update each day on what’s happening and what you can do. It’s audio so I can do other things around the house while I’m listening in the evening. (Like cleaning!)
It’s produced by the Health team at the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s Radio National.
The presenter of the ABC RN’s Health Report, Norman Swan, is working hard to give updates and advice on ABC TV and Radio. For example …
‘Dr Norman Swan recommends proactive national lockdown’ ABC News —
What is coronavirus doing to your body?
‘Coronavirus: what happens to people’s lungs when they get Covid-19?’
‘What does COVID-19 do to the body and what’s it like to have the illness?’ Sydney Morning Herald
‘This is how your immune system reacts to coronavirus’ Dana Smith, Medium
What’s it like to have coronavirus?
‘I had COVID-19 and here is my story’ Elizabeth Schneider
‘Coronavirus: One of the first British sufferers describes his ordeal’ —
This is confronting. A warning from a sick 39-year-old.
How do know if you have the virus?
How serious is this pandemic? And how can we slow it?
A long article posted on Medium by Tomas Pueyo entitled ‘Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now’ probably changed a lot of thinking around the world — waking Westerners to the reality of the virus hitting their city and the need to take it seriously. It was the one that did it for me. That article has had 40 million views and has been translated into 28 languages.
‘11 charts that explain the coronavirus pandemic’ Vox
‘The Sober Math Everyone Must Understand about the Pandemic’ Jason S Warner, Medium
‘Why Outbreaks Like Coronavirus Spread Exponentially and How to “Flatten the Curve”’ The Washington Post
‘This Sydney doctor believes Australia can avoid a COVID-19 public health crisis. Here’s how’ SBS
‘5 coronavirus facts to use on anyone who isn’t listening’ Dana Smith, Medium
Dr Michael Ryan is Executive Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO.) If this guy speaks, listen. He is the most articulate, knowledge and powerful person I’ve heard. In this clip, he outlines why speed trumps perfection …
How can we win this battle?
‘Coronavirus: The Hammer and the Dance’ Toma Pueyo
How the Chinese got coronavirus under control
Donald McNeil, Health Reporter for the New York Times, describes how China got it under control. Speaking with Rachel Maddow —
Lessons from China’s success — from WHO Expert Dr Bruce Aylward:
- Everyone knowing what to look for (fever & cough.)
- Everyone knowing how and where to get tested. 3.
- Speeding up time from case identification into care.
What happened in Italy?
‘The Extraordinary Decisions Facing Italian Doctors’ The Atlantic
‘A coronavirus cautionary tale from Italy: Don’t do what we did’
‘The shocking centre of the COVID-19 crisis’
What you can do — stay at home
What is ‘social distancing’ and how to do it
How to self-isolate or quarantine
‘A guide to self-isolation or quarantine with Covid-19’ GPs Can (blog)
What’s happening with a vaccine?
‘When will a coronavirus vaccine be ready?’ The Guardian
(Officially it’s 12 to 18 months.)
Official advice on coronavirus
For Australia:
Australian Government Department of Health
NSW Government Department of Health
The ABC’s summary of coronavirus advice from the Department of Health
Which says to follow these steps to help slow the spread of the virus and to reduce the risk of infection:
➡️ Wash your hands with soap and water before and after eating, and also after using the toilet.
➡️ Avoid physical contact with others when possible.
➡️ Cough into your elbow or into a clean tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin.
➡️ Seek medical attention if you’re feeling sick. Be aware that most people currently experiencing cold and flu symptoms won’t have COVID-19.
Latest coronavirus news
Latest news from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
To hear audio stories listen to the ABC’s Radio National’s Breakfast, AM, World Today, and PM.
‘Coronavirus data reveals how COVID-19 is spreading in Australia’ ABC
A summary of data on coronavirus in Australia
People to follow
Australia:
US:
On Twitter:
FAQs
Australian Government Department of Health
NSW Government Department of Health
Ask a question
In Australia, you can call 1800 020 080 — the government coronavirus health information hotline.
Ask the ABC via their online form.
TED Talks
The awareness of something like happening has been around for a while. We just haven’t been paying attention. Some background on pandemics here.
Why I wrote this article
There was so much coming through on Coronavirus it was doing my head in. At the same time, ironically, I kept tripping over people who were not really understanding what was happening with coronavirus.
I hope this material might help you too to get through to those people. Or understand it better yourself.
There is no doubt in my mind that the best thing people can do right now is to become informed. I hope this helps.
(One thing I’ve noticed about the people who think it’s not a problem or alternatively are madly panicking is that they don’t properly understand what’s going on and the sensible ideas to deal with it.)
And by the way, I’ve seen many, many doctors comment on Coronavirus now. All are saying to take it seriously, the worst is yet to come, and that it is much better and smarter to overreact now. ALL of them are saying this.
If you think it’s overblown go and speak with a doctor. It’s far more sensible to listen to a health professional over Donald Trump (or Alan Jones if you might be in Australia.)
