Resources during COVID-19

This guide aims to provide current information and reliable resources for understanding and responding to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

WHAT IS COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new strain of the coronavirus that was first idenfied after an outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). 

HOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD?
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spreads very easily and sustainably from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
• It may be possible that a person can become infected by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus.
• Most people infected with COVID-19 have symptoms no more serious than the common cold or flu and make a full recovery. However, older adults and those with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems of any age are at higher risk for severe illness.

In a situation of wide-reaching and fast-moving concern, the spread of misinformation and disinformation (sometimes from seemingly reliable sources) is inevitable. While it's always best to rely on information from authoritative sources such as the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, here are some resource to help you sort out facts from "fake news".

• FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control
• WHO Coronavirus Myth Busters
• Fact Check Coronavirus
• SNOPES Coronavirus