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Coronavirus: Is it safe to hot-desk, and other questions Coronavirus: Should you disinfect your phone, and other questions
(2 days later)
There have been more than 90,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide, affecting more than 60 countries. The UK is continuing to work on its response to the coronavirus outbreak after more than 100 people in the UK were diagnosed with the disease.
Here is a range of of readers' questions about the outbreak. Here is a selection of readers' questions about the virus and the outbreak.
Should companies change their hot-desking policy? - Philip Cloke Should people disinfect their phone? - Chris, Penzance
Poor hygiene when hot-desking - sharing a single work desk with others - can create conditions for germs and viruses to spread. Coronavirus is believed to be transferred between people in droplets from coughs and sneezes. But experts think that it can survive on surfaces, possibly for days.
It's thought the new coronavirus is transmitted by droplets from coughs or sneezes from an infected person, as well as contaminated surfaces. So it's important that your phone - at home, mobile or at work - is cleaned thoroughly and often.
Experts believe coronavirus can survive on surfaces for hours and possibly days. You should wash your hands regularly to help reduce the risk of infection and spread of the virus. Try to clean desks, keyboards and phones with disinfectant wipes, if available. All the major phone-makers warn against cleaning your phone with alcohol, hand sanitiser or sterilising wipes, because it can damage the protective coating on the screen.
There have been media reports that some companies are stopping hot-desking because of concerns about coronavirus. However, there has been no official advice from health experts or the government that such a move is necessary, or recommended. Damaging this layer could make it easier for germs to stick to the device.
Modern phones tend to be water-resistant, so you could clean your phone with regular soap and water and a single-use paper towel - but do check your phone is water-resistant before you try it.
What is the risk to children? - Louise, London
In general, children appear to be relatively unaffected by coronavirus, according to data from China.
This may be because they are able to shake off the infection or have no symptoms or only very mild ones similar to a cold.
However, children with underlying lung problems, such as asthma, may have to be more careful, as the virus could trigger an attack.
For most children, though, it will be a respiratory infection like any other and no cause for alarm.
The UK government would have the power to close schools to prevent the spread of the virus, if it wanted. Schools in Italy and Iran have already been shut.
Can the virus spread on notes and coins? - David Webber, Dorset
The Chinese government has said that cash received by all banks must be sterilised before being released to customers, in order to reduce the spread of the disease.
Using contactless cards can minimise the risk of handling cash. However, these cards can also harbour germs and viruses.
Best practice is to wash your hands thoroughly after handling cards, coins or banknotes.
Would the government close UK borders to stem the virus's spread? - Emma, Dagenham
Although some countries, including Australia and the US, have introduced travel restrictions on some areas with coronavirus outbreaks, the UK has no plans to close its borders.
The government says that it wants to keep people safe while minimising the social and economic impact of any outbreak.
If flights to and from other countries were cancelled, people could always find other ways of getting to the UK. That's the view of the World Health Organization, too: it is not in favour of trade and travel restrictions to countries with coronavirus outbreaks, because it says it's just not effective.
Currently, all flights and sea vessels arriving in the UK must provide a declaration stating that their passengers are well. The Foreign Office is providing advice to British nationals abroad and to those planning to travel.
What are differences between coronavirus and flu? - Brent Starr, Gresham, Oregon, US
Coronavirus and flu share many similar symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose without a test. The main coronavirus symptoms to look out for are fever and a cough. Flu often has other symptoms too, such as a sore throat, while people with coronavirus may feel short of breath.
Anyone who suspects they may have caught coronavirus should not visit their GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Instead, they should call 111 to speak to someone.
How are exam boards preparing in case schools have to close? - Amanda, BerkshireHow are exam boards preparing in case schools have to close? - Amanda, Berkshire
Exam boards across the UK currently say there are no changes to timetables and that students, schools and colleges should prepare for exams as normal.Exam boards across the UK currently say there are no changes to timetables and that students, schools and colleges should prepare for exams as normal.
England's exams watchdog Ofqual, SQA in Scotland,Qualifications Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland say they are monitoring the situation closely.England's exams watchdog Ofqual, SQA in Scotland,Qualifications Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland say they are monitoring the situation closely.
Exams in Scotland start at the end of April and in the other three countries in early May.Exams in Scotland start at the end of April and in the other three countries in early May.
What does self-quarantine involve? - Alan Gell - Stockport, Cheshire What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
You may need to isolate yourself if you:
Self-isolation means staying at home for 14 days, not going to work, school or other public places, and avoiding public transport or taxis. You should also stay separate from other people in your home.
Ask for help if you need groceries, other shopping or medication dropped off - you can have doorstep deliveries, but you shouldn't have any visitors.
You should even try to stay away from your pets - if that isn't possible, wash your hands before and after touching them.
You can read more about self isolating here.
My mother-in-law, in her 80s, regularly attends church. What's the advice about sharing a communion cup? - Joanna Gordon, Walton-on-Thames
A number of churches have issued advice regarding coronavirus. The Church of England says that there is no government advice suggesting that the use of shared communion cups should be suspended.
But it says that intinction - where the communion bread is dipped in wine - is not recommended as it can allow infections to spread, and pose a risk to people with certain allergies.
And it adds that churches should already be following best-hygiene practices, including advising priests and other church officials at communion to ensure their hands are clean.
Until there is an outbreak in the UK - and it's being passed from person to person, which isn't happening at the moment - sharing a communion cup is no more dangerous than it would be during the average winter when flu is circulating.
How do you stand insurance-wise if you have to be quarantined during an overseas holiday? - Mrs Dal, Manchester
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says this depends on the type of holiday you booked.
If you are quarantined while on holiday, you should first approach the company through which you booked it for advice on what to do.
It is expected that the government or authority which imposed the quarantine will cover the costs of food and accommodation.
If the quarantine period extends beyond the time that you would have spent on holiday you should contact your travel insurer. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim for out-of-pocket costs associated with an extended stay,
If your holiday is booked with a firm that is protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme, then you should be covered for the cost of the return flights.
That usually applies to package holidays only. For flight-only arrangements, the ABI says, this will depend on your travel insurance cover.
In addition, if you have arranged your own travel and accommodation you should check the details of your insurance cover.
You can read the ABI's detailed advice on coronavirus and travel here.
How dangerous is coronavirus for people who, like me, have asthma? - Lesley-Anne, Falkirk
Respiratory infections, such as coronavirus, can trigger the symptoms of asthma.
Asthma UK advises those who are concerned about the virus to follow a series of steps to manage their asthma.
These include taking a preventer inhaler daily as prescribed. This helps cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus.
If asthma symptoms become worse at any point, call NHS 111 or make a next-day GP appointment. Anyone having an asthma attack should follow the steps on their asthma action plan and call 999 for an ambulance if needed.
Asthma UK's full advice regarding coronavirus can be found here.
If my husband and I got the virus, could our pets be infected? - Pat JacksonIf my husband and I got the virus, could our pets be infected? - Pat Jackson
No. According to the World Health Organization there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted between humans and your family pet. No. According to the World Health Organization there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted between humans and family pets.
Coronaviruses occur in almost all animal species, including humans. They are usually specific to a single species and transmission between species is very uncommon.Coronaviruses occur in almost all animal species, including humans. They are usually specific to a single species and transmission between species is very uncommon.
But you should still make sure that after touching your pets you wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Pets can carry bacteria like E.coli and salmonella and these bugs can pass between pets and humans.But you should still make sure that after touching your pets you wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Pets can carry bacteria like E.coli and salmonella and these bugs can pass between pets and humans.
Will people who have already had pneumonia experience milder symptoms from coronavirus? - Marje, Montreal, Canada
The new coronavirus can, in a small number of cases, lead to pneumonia, most notably in people with pre-existing lung conditions.
But as this is a new strain of coronavirus, no-one will have any immunity to it. So having had pneumonia, or any other form of coronavirus like Sars, will not provide immunity from this new coronavirus and the lung illness (Covid-19) it can lead to.
The World Health Organization has said it may be 18 months before a vaccine against the coronavirus is publicly available.
What questions do you have about the coronavirus?What questions do you have about the coronavirus?
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