Things we already know
Indoor ventilation is essential

With the collected evidence, we now realize the importance of avoiding exposure to virus-contaminated air.

Cleaning surfaces, wearing a mask, and washing hands are all important, and it is equally important to ventilate the indoor environment for fresh air.

Masks have the effect of preventing

At first, when there was not enough solid data, some governments, including the UK, hesitated to recommend wearing masks, although other countries immediately adopted them.

This precaution has proven to work. Wearing a mask shows that it is a simple and effective measure to help prevent the spread of disease. However, face shields are not as effective.

Frequent hand washing is still important

In the context of the need for blockade, isolation and social distancing orders, another important element in the fight against corona virus is at risk of being forgotten, which is hand washing.

Although transmission through contact with surfaces is thought to be rare, there is evidence that the virus is on the hands of infected people, making it possible for them to infect others. other. People also tend to subconsciously put their hands on their faces.

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It is still uncertain what the social impacts of the pandemic will be in the long run

The impact of the virus on each person is different

Coupled with the age difference, it seems that the virus affects men more than women, and that some ethnic groups are more vulnerable than others.

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Some people have a very mysterious immunity to Covid-19, which may mean they possessed this ability long before the pandemic broke out.

Viruses can damage internal organs

Although Covid-19 is a respiratory virus, it does more than just attack the lungs.

Now, scientists have found that it can also attack endothelial cells (the cells that line the inside of blood vessels) and affect a variety of other vital organs, such as the heart, brain, kidney, liver, pancreas and spleen.

These lesions are found even in young, low-risk patients.

No one can be sure how long these injuries will last, or whether it is possible to cure them completely.

Viruses spread rapidly

... but most people are not aware of this.

A series of studies have shown that people who are skeptical of the "exponential spreadability bias" of the virus are less concerned with the speed at which Covid-19 spreads, and are less likely to take action. epidemic prevention measures such as social distancing, washing hands and wearing masks.

The Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective

The development of a Covid-19 vaccine is happening extremely quickly, under extraordinary pressure.

With the burden of meeting the world's expectations, scientists have created vaccines that are safe, effective, and have been rigorously tested through trials.

BBC Future was first-hand experience when one of our journalists volunteered to participate in the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine trial (and he still performed weekly nasopharyngeal swabs for Covid-19 testing for several months). after that test).

The vaccine, when given only one dose, has a relative ability to protect

But this should be accompanied by some important caveats.

The level of protection depends on the specific vaccine - and in some cases, we haven't gathered enough data to say for sure.

Until you have received a booster dose (usually a second dose) and many others have also been vaccinated, it is important to continue social distancing, wearing a mask, and following health advice. community.

It would be helpful if people continued to take the same precautions as they did when they were not vaccinated.

Herd immunity can be achieved through vaccines

Herd immunity is a natural form of prevention against the spread of infectious disease, when a large proportion of the population has become immune to the pathogen.

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But, contrary to what you hear during a pandemic, there are many reasons why herd immunity cannot be achieved by intentionally spreading the virus.

Many scientists believe that if we do this intentionally, we will fall into a situation where the mortality rate increases to an uncontrollable level.

However, herd immunity can also be achieved through vaccination, thereby avoiding the risks of significant damage and possibly protecting us from spontaneous infection.