Your COVID-19 questions answered
The Houston Chronicle is asking readers to submit questions and story ideas about the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. Questions are answered online at houstonchronicle.com/ coronavirus. Here are answers to some recent questions.
Q: Can you ingest disinfectant to kill the coronavirus?
A: This is a big no. RB, the makers of Lysol and Dettol, issued a statement after a
White House press conference where President Donald Trump on April 23 suggested injection or ingestion of disinfectants as a possible treatment of the coronavirus.
“As a global leader in health and hygiene products, we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route),” the statement reads — with emphasis added by the company. “As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information.”
And in a Friday, April 24 tweet that didn’t specifically mention the president’s comments the day before, Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams wrote: “A reminder to all Americans — PLEASE always talk to your health provider first before administering any treatment/medication to yourself or a loved one. Your safety is paramount, and doctors and nurses have years of training to recommend what’s safe and effective.”
If you or someone you know has ingested disinfectant, immediately call 9-1-1 or the Poison Control Center at 1-800222-1222.
Q: What does Harris County’s mask order entail?
A: Starting Monday, April 27, and lasting 30 days, the rules require residents 10 and older to cover their nose and mouth when outside the home. Acceptable garments include a homemade mask, scarf, bandanna or handkerchief. Medical masks or N-95 respirators are not recommended as they are most needed by first responders and health workers.
Residents must cover their faces at all times except when exercising, eating or drinking. You don’t have to wear a mask while alone in a separate single space (such as a car), at home with roommates or family, or when wearing a mask poses a greater risk to security, mental or physical health.
Q: Is it OK to run or walk outside while practicing social distancing? Are masks necessary?
A: Both walking and running are thought to be generally low risk as long as you’re social distancing, said Dr. Stacey Rose, an assistant professor in infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine. The spread of disease is lessened in open air settings, and even if a runner passes you briefly, your risk of transmission is still lower compared to when you’re standing or running next to someone for a prolonged period.
In most cases, it shouldn’t be difficult to maintain 6 feet of distance from others, Rose said, even if you’re walking with a friend. And CDC guidance for wearing masks is really for situations where you can’t social distance, such as the grocery store, so masks aren’t actually required, she said.
However, a new study released this month by researchers based in Belgium and the Netherlands suggests 15 feet between runners and walkers is ideal.
Q: Is now a safe time to be moving to a new apartment or house?
A: The CDC doesn’t have formal recommendations here, so it’s really up to you to use your best judgment. Think about whether you or your family actually need to move at the moment, or whether it can wait, Rose said. And if you’re in a high-risk category for complications from the coronavirus, you need to take that into consideration.
You can take precautions on your own end during the moving process, and if you’re hiring a moving company, make sure that they are, too, Rose said.
Q: Should I travel within the country, or even within the state?
A: This is up to you, but use good judgment. Look up the state of the pandemic in the location you’re visiting, and take into account whether you’re going to be in close contact with others during your trip, according to the CDC which updates cases daily. To find the advisories, go to cdc.gov, then click on ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ and scroll to “Cases in the U.S.”
Air travel is obviously riskier than driving, because being in a crowded setting might increase your chances of contracting the virus. If you are in an at-risk category, the CDC recommends that you avoid all nonessential air travel. And if you have loved ones at home who are at-risk, think about the possibility that you could spread the disease to them when you return.