Keeping up hygene

Helpful links that are (mostly) available in English:

How long can the pathogen Sars-Cov-2 remain on surfaces?

  • plastic and stainless steel: up to four days
  • banknotes: up to two days
  • textiles and cardboard: up to one day
  • paper: less than 3 hours

The amount of viruses decreased rapidly on all tested surfaces.

(Source: Sueddeutsche.de, last checked on 10 Apr 2020)

How can the pathogen Sars-Cov-2 be destroyed?

  • 60°C is considered to kill the virus reliably (in 5-30min)
  • For lower temperatures, detergents are capable of destroying the virus, too, if used properly.

(Source: Sueddeutsche.de, last checked on 10 Apr 2020)

A reminder why it makes a difference for how long and properly you’re washing your hands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LKVUarhtvE

Washing hands is important but can be jeopardized if you don't clean your smartphone screen regularly (see cnet.com, last checked on 4 Apr 2020)

What to do if you suspect to have been infected?

CovApp

25.03.2020 – A hospital in Berlin developed the CovApp which provides information and recommendations for action. Please bear in mind that the questionnaire that you find there neither replaces medical treatment nor performs a diagnostic service. Much rather it is supposed to give you some orientation whether, for example, a test would be reasonable and who you can approach for this. (According to the provider, your data is only stored locally on your device.)

Guideline by the German health system

1) Do you have cold symptoms?
An infection with the novel coronavirus can lead to symptoms such as fever, dry cough, runny nose and fatigue. Breathing problems, sore throats, headache and body aches, and chills have also been reported. Some people experience nausea and diarrhea.
However, since the symptoms can range from mild to severe, all people with cold symptoms should stay at home at the moment out of consideration for others.
No -> You shouldn't worry for now. You do not meet any criteria for a test.
Yes -> 2) Have you been to risk areas OR did you have close contact with an infected person?
You can find them via rki.de/covid-19-risk areas
Did you touch or kiss that person, were you coughed at, sneezed at, or were you in a room together for more than 15 minutes?
Yes to at least one part of the question -> Call the on-call doctor (116 117) or the responsible health authority. Stay at home if possible and avoid contact with others.
No -> 3) Did you have remote contact with an infected person?
This means that you were in a room with the person for less than 15 minutes. Not touching them, always keep a distance of about two meters or only seen them outdoors.
Yes -> Call your GP
No -> 4) Did you have contact with someone who in turn was in contact with infected people?
Yes -> If your contact person has flu-like symptoms, he/she should call the responsible health authority (Göttingen: +49 551/400-4802 and -4803).
You can wait for this test yourself. Avoid social contacts out of consideration for others.
No -> 5) Do you belong to a risk group?
So are you over 60, chronically ill or pregnant?
Yes -> Call your GP
No -> You shouldn't worry for now. You do not meet any criteria for a test.
 
(Source: FAZ, last checked on 19 Mar 2020)

Keeping the facts straight

An attempt to separate the facts from the myths: https://elemental.medium.com/why-we-should-care-commonly-asked-questions-and-answers-about-covid-19-6b166f1876e9 (last checked on 18 Mar 2020)

Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" (Source: Washington Post, last checked on 30 Mar 2020)

Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell: Der Coronavirus erklärt & was du tun solltest ("The corona virus explained & what you should do") - Source: YouTube (last checked on 4 Apr 2020)

Get Covid-19 facts as a WhatsApp message directly from the WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-health-alert-brings-covid-19-facts-to-billions-via-whatsapp (As of 4 Apr 2020, the messages are available in Arabic, English, French, Italian, and Spanish.)