By Brandy Whisman, CSG policy analyst
At the end of April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added six new possible symptoms of COVID-19: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. Since then, additional symptoms have been reported by doctors including gastrointestinal issues, blood clots and rashes. The virus can attack the kidneys, heart, lungs and blood vessels, creating “Covid toes,” a rash on the feet caused by the attack on the blood vessels. The CDC has released a video on how COVID-19 can spread in a community.
While states are taking precautions as they reopen, many have valid fears of a resurgence of a virus that continues to manifest with different symptoms. Many states have implemented a recommendation that along with social distancing, masks must be worn in public. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has implemented a three-phase approach:
- Phase One: Phase one began on May 11. Some businesses — manufacturing, office-based, pet grooming, construction and horse racing with no fans — can begin to open. Open businesses must adhere to guidelines including temperature readings and employees must wear masks. Businesses can refuse to serve a customer who isn’t wearing a mask.
- Phase Two: Phase Two, Health at Work, begins on May 22 with restaurants open at 33% capacity. Movie theaters, some childcare and campgrounds will open between June 1 and June 15.
- Phase Three: Phase Three begins on July 1 with bars and gatherings up to 50 people allowed.
Beshear also released 10 rules for reopening to help guide businesses as they gradually reopen. Kentucky has partnered with First Care Clinics to ramp up testing capacity as businesses slowly reopen.
Private sector industry has continued to be one of the main drivers in developing and testing potential therapies and vaccines. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced an allocation plan for the drug remdesivir, a potential treatment for COVID-19. The remdesivir, donated by Gilead Sciences, will be distributed to the hardest hit states first: Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey. The drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for experimental use in late April.
The CDC has provided guidance on how to correctly put on a mask, along with interim guidance for businesses and employers that are reopening. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that wearing a medical mask is one preventative measure that can limit the spread of COVID-19, but advises that mask requirements should be coupled with additional measures such as social distancing and hand hygiene.
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota has advised that the U.S. should prepare for at least an additional 18-24 months of COVID-19. Up to 25% of individuals are asymptomatic, or showing no symptoms, highlighting the need for masks and other precautions for everyone — not just for those who are showing symptoms.