The UIC MinER Center cautions those living with pre-existing conditions, such as black lung, to take necessary precautions to avoid infection of coronavirus or COVID-19.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Heading link
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Definition
The coronavirus or offically known as COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory virus. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11th, 2020.
Most infected individuals experience mild to moderate symptoms and are able to recover without special treatment. Older populations and those living with pre-existing conditions tend to develop more serious symptoms and may require hospitalization.
The situation is rapidly evolving. For the most up to date information on the COVID-19 pandemic in your area, please check your local health department’s website.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Shortness of Breath
- Fever
- Cough
- Chills
- Repeated Shaking with Chills
- Muscle Pains
- Headache
- Sore Throat
- New Loss of Taste or Smell
According to the CDC, symptoms may occur between 2-14 days upon exposure to the virus. If you feel unwell, stay at home. If symptoms worsen, contact your healthcare provider and follow their directions.
Spread
COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person contact through respiratory droplets that are projected when someone coughs or sneezes. It can take up to 14 days before someone begins to show symptoms of COVID-19. During this time, the infected individual may spread it unknowingly to others.
A person may also become infected by touching an infected surface and touching their face with unclean hands.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) cites that COVID-19 can be airborne for up to three hours, live on copper surfaces for up to four hours, and up to 24 hours on cardboard surfaces. Studies have found that the virus can survive on plastic or stainless steel surfaces between two to three hours.
Stop Spread
There are several things you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Wear a mask in public
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your face or eyes with uncleaned hands
- Avoid unnecessary travel.
- Most importantly, stay at home if you are sick.
Social Distancing Heading link
This novel coronavirus is highly contagious and in the absence of a vaccine, our best way to slow the spread of this epidemic is by practicing social distancing. This means minimizing in-person social contact with others and maintaining at least 6 feet between yourself and others if you are in public. Doing this reduces your chance of being infected by the coronavirus, but also keeps you from unknowingly infecting others. All of this is necessary to flatten the curve, or slow the rate of infection, which will keep our hospitals from becoming completely overwhelmed.
| Senior Epidemiologist at the MinER Center
COVID-19 Vaccines
Stay Informed Heading link
In the News Heading link
March 23rd, 2020. Those with black lung disease among most vulnerable for having complications from COVID-19. According to the CDC, in West Virginia one in five coal miners who worked in mines for at least 25 years have black lung.
Letter to MSHA Heading link
Letter from the National Coalition of Black Lung and Respiratory Disease Clinics to MSHA stating their support with the UMWA’s letter in implementing necessary precautions to protect miners from COVID-19 in the workplace.
The UMWA’s letter can be found here.
Letter from NIOSH Heading link
Letter from NIOSH’ Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program stating its recommendation to defer further spirometry testing due to COVID-19 transmission. NIOSH also recommends that clinic staff get vaccinated to minimize risk of COVID-19.