Keep in mind that this article is not a substitute for consulting your doctor. Always follow health officials’ advice in your area.

Covid-19 is the disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus and officials in Europe and North America are increasingly stating that it will infect a majority of the population this year. So, what facts do we know about it?

• It is carried by tiny droplets – from direct contact with an infected person or a surface they have been in contact with
• Infection occurs when you bring these droplets into your mucous tissue – normally through the eyes, nose or mouth
• A person can be spreading the disease even before showing any symptoms at all, though less likely if they are not coughing or sneezing
• The incubation period, before symptoms show (and they don’t for everyone), varies from 2 to 14 days, with an average of 5 days. In some cases, it lasts up to 27 days.
• Covid-19 exhibits many common symptoms, with most people having fever, cough and shortness of breath. In some cases chills, muscle pain and a sore throat might be other first signs of the infection.
• It can kill through acute pneumonia and multi-organ failure.
• The casualties are usually those with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, cardio-vascular disease, asthma, etc.
• The death rate appears to be around 0.2% of the infected under 40, increasing with age, to about 15% of those over 80 years old.
• There is no known cure or vaccine. Treatment focuses on mediating the symptoms.
• A majority of the confirmed cases worldwide have since recovered.
• It cannot be transmitted to/from common house pets.

5 Measures you can take right now to keep you and your family safe

Wash your hands

Since the virus doesn’t infect us until we put it inside our body, a regular and thorough hand wash can do wonders to protect you from contracting and spreading the coronavirus. Make sure you apply soap to all parts of your hands, scrubbing carefully between the fingers and around the nails.

Disinfect your phone and desk

There are a few things we touch hundreds, if not thousands of times a day, such as your phone or your working space. When’s the last time you cleaned them? Keep a pack of wet wipes handy and every now and then swab frequently-used surfaces.

Limit the use of cash

Use your card or mobile app to make payments where possible. While they may still require touching a few times day, there’s one major difference – you are the only one touching them.

Stay informed and be critical of wondrous solutions

Don’t give in to the urge to try unscientific “cures”. Contrary to what may be circulating in social media, lemon, garlic and silver have been found to have no effect against the disease. When offered an advice, check it in a few more sources to make sure it hasn’t been disproven already.

Unwell? Stay home.

If you are not feeling exactly healthy, but it could be any one of a hundred things, don’t take any chances. Staying home will keep you from passing along whatever you may have. Remember, a fever may not feel like a big deal to you, but it could be lethal to your grandparents. Waiting to see you’re getting better also assures you don’t develop complications that put you at higher risk further down the road.

As an international camp full of students from many different countries, Camp Golden Gate takes its role in protecting students very seriously. That is why we offer

4 measures to ensure a healthy environment at camp:

1. We will carry out detailed instructions of all students and staff on maintaining personal hygiene to keep everyone involved safe.
2. We take responsibility to keep top-notch hygiene standards at both of our campgrounds. Thorough disinfections will be carried out daily.
3. In case of any severe symptoms, we are prepared to take students to the nearest large hospital for comprehensive medical care.
4. Here at the English camp, we are ready to take strict measures, if there is suspicion of a Covid-19 case at camp. In continuous coordination with families, quarantine and sending home for recovery are steps we can take, when it’s reasonable.

Camp Golden Gate reaffirms its commitment to a healthy and fun summer 2020. It’s at a place like an international summer camp where students can best learn the worth of self-responsibility and personal care and we are here to facilitate this highly valuable learning process.