We bring you the answers to some of the most common questions about the pandemic and its consequences.
As the days go by more people are infected with the coronavirus COVID-19 and many of them are losing the battle against this disease. Below, we offer answers to some of the most common questions after the outbreak of this pandemic.
- What are the common symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus?
The most common symptoms of the disease are fever, tiredness, dry cough and shortness of breath. The person may also experience aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and / or diarrhea.
In the most serious situations the person begins to feel shortness of breath. These symptoms can appear between 2 to 14 days after exposure. People can be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms.
It is estimated that around 80% of people recover from the disease without the need for special treatment, but for some people it can be fatal.
- How is the new coronavirus treated?
There is no specific treatment for the disease caused by COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated. Treatment is based on the patient's condition.
It is estimated that around 80% of people recover from the disease without the need for special treatment. There is currently no vaccine to prevent the new coronavirus.
- Who is more at risk?
People over the age of 65 and with pre-existing conditions such as chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma are at higher risk, as are people living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
Also, people with heart disease and compromised immune systems, including cancer treatment, are at high risk. And people of any age with severe obesity (with a body mass index or BMI greater than 40) or with diabetes, kidney failure, or liver disease.
Pregnant women should be monitored as they are known to be at risk of serious viral illness. However, to date, data on COVID-19 has shown no increased risk.
- I think I feel symptoms. That I have to do?
Like the flu, people with mild symptoms should stay home seven days from the time their symptoms first appeared, or three days after the fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medications, or three days after improvement in respiratory symptoms (such as cough, shortness of breath), whichever lasts longer.
Seniors, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems or underlying medical problems experiencing these symptoms should call their doctor as soon as these symptoms appear.
If you have trouble breathing or fluid retention, go to an emergency room or call 911, otherwise call your doctor before you go for care.
- One of the people in my house feels symptoms, what should I do?
If you are caring for someone in your home, check for emergency signs, avoid spreading germs, treat symptoms, and carefully consider when to end home insulation.
Have your healthcare provider's contact information handy. For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify the operator that you have or suspect that your family member has COVID-19.
- California is under an order to stay home. What does that mean? How long will this last? Can I go to the supermarket or take a walk?
The order went into effect on Thursday, March 19, 2020. The order is in effect until further notice and covers the entire state of California.
Services deemed essential remain open. These include gas stations, pharmacies, supermarkets, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out restaurants.
Banks, laundry services, and essential state government functions are also open including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services.
You can exercise, as long as you maintain a safe social distance of six feet from people who are not part of your home, it's okay to go out for exercise, walking, or getting fresh air. Gyms are closed. You can walk your dog and take him to the vet or hospital if your pet is sick.
Currently, California's 280 state parks have temporarily closed off vehicle access to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This occurred after many state parks experienced a high visitor presence over the weekend, making it impossible to implement appropriate social / physical distancing practices.
- What businesses can remain open?
The order exempts activity as necessary to maintain the continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure, critical government services, schools, daycare and construction sectors, including home construction. It also exempts businesses considered essential such as those mentioned in question number 6.
- I think my workplace is breaking the law by staying open, who am I talking to?
You can report it to the California Department of Labor, which has a form on its official site: https://dir.tfaforms.net/237 Department of Labor officials will want to know if you want to "report violations of labor laws."
- My son's school is closed but I still have to work. I need childcare. What options are available?
The nurseries are still open, but only for children of parents who work in essential sectors. Daycares that remain open should employ improved cleaning and clearance requirements. Babysitters can also go home to care for minors of parents who work in essential sectors.
- I lost my job or my hours were reduced due to the coronavirus. How can I get help?
You can use paid sick leave if your job has it. If you cannot work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19, you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim.
You can also file a Workers' Compensation Claim if you were exposed to coronavirus on the job.
If your hours are reduced or rested you can apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) is an employer-paid program that provides a partial income replacement when you become unemployed or have your hours reduced and meet all eligibility requirements.
You can follow this link that explains the benefits available during the coronavirus:
https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
- Who can apply for unemployment?
Unemployment can be claimed by people who have been totally or partially unemployed, unemployed through no fault of their own. If you are physically capable and available for work, ready and willing to accept the job immediately, and are actively seeking work.
A base period is a specific 12-month term that the EDD uses to see if you earned enough wages to establish a UI claim.
In most cases, if you are self-employed, an independent contractor, or a contract worker, you are not eligible for unemployment insurance.
However, the President has enacted a coronavirus relief bill that expands unemployment benefits to include self-employed and contract workers. It also gives recipients an additional $ 600 per week, for up to four months, and extends existing state benefits for 13 weeks. Benefits will be available soon but there is no exact date.
- I am undocumented, so I do not qualify for unemployment or food stamps. How can I get help?
Undocumented people can follow this website that has accumulated information from various groups that provide help from tax returns, health unemployment to free food: https://www.informedimmigrant.com/guides/coronavirus/#
- Will I lose my job if I stay home because I'm 65 or have asthma or a heart condition?
The answer depends on the employment situation. Lilia Garcia-Brower, chief of the Labor Standards Compliance Division of the California Department of Industrial Relations, told CalMatters last week that employees in essential jobs must go to their jobs or risk losing them.
But employees who are 65 or older in jobs that the state doesn't consider essential have protections under the law, Garcia-Brower added.
These protections are specifically under section 98.6 of the Labor Code.
- I can't pay my rent in April and I don't know if I can pay it in May. Does the state offer help?
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on March 27 "prohibiting the execution of eviction orders for tenants affected by COVID-19 until May 31, 2020. The order prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for non-payment of rent and prohibits enforcement of evictions by the police or courts It also requires tenants to declare in writing, no more than seven days after the rent is due, that the tenant cannot pay all or part of their rent due to COVID-19 ".
However, activists say tenants can be evicted for reasons other than non-payment.
- Can you evict me?
Not while the executive order is in effect. Once it ends, on May 31, the tenant must pay the rent in a timely manner and may still face eviction after the moratorium on enforcement is lifted. Everything is case by case.
- What can I do if I get stressed about the COVID-19 situation?
Experts say that when you hear, read, or watch news of an infectious disease outbreak, it is normal to feel anxious and show signs of stress. It is important to take care of your own physical and mental health.
It is recommended that you read "Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks" on the Los Angeles County Public Health website. For help, call the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health 24/7 helpline at (800) 854-7771 or 2-1-1.
Jacqueline García is a reporter for La Opinion in Los Angeles. This article is part of The California Divide, a collaboration between multiple newsrooms that examine income inequality and economic survival in California.
