Novel coronavirus fears at Humber: To wear a mask, or not?

Jan 31, 2020 | International News, News

Nathaniel Smith & Ashley Radcliffe

Nearly 200 people are dead and 10,000 infected by novel coronavirus following the outbreak originating in Wuhan, China in early December.

Coronaviruses spread between humans via respiratory droplets, which occur when people cough or sneeze on their hands or on surfaces. Novel coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms.

The current outbreak is being called 2019-nCoV by Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and other international public health agencies. Other novel coronaviruses include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

China advises all citizens to wear surgical masks in order to protect themselves, and others from spreading the virus further.

Novel Coronavirus was declared a global heath emergency of international concern by the World Heath Organization, raising the amount of people wearing mask worldwide. The WHO cautioned that countries that do not have robust health systems are the most at risk.

As of January 31, 2020, there have been four confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in Canada, three in Ontario and one in British Columbia.

Students at Humber College have been seen wearing masks as the outbreak develops.

Nathaniel Smith has more on the story in the video below.