content/blog/2020-07-09-covid-19-is-still-a-thing/index.md

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----
-title: Coronavirus is still a thing
-layout: post
-categories:
-- health
-- covid-19
-- coronavirus
-- news
-date: '2020-07-09'
----
-
-COVID-19 is raging out of control (especially in the US, but don't think you're
-better off in Britain; they are third on the list), but you wouldn't know it by
-listening to the government. New York City is in "phase 3" of re-opening, which
-included limited re-opening of restaurants (although this has since been
-reversed). The reality is that COVID-19 does not give a shit about government
-guidelines and is continuing to spread regardless.
-
-As of the end of June there have been over 500,000 confirmed deaths from this
-disease, and based on the evidence, even if it doesn't kill you it can take
-[months to
-recover](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/01/health/coronavirus-recovery-survivors.html)
-and even [leave permanent
-damage](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/lifelong-lung-damage-the-serious-covid-19-complication-that-can-hit-people-in-their-20s).
-We're still trying to understand the effects COVID-19 has on the body and
-research is starting to tell us some horrifying facts. If you think this is
-"just like the flu" think again. Some of the more onerous complications that
-appear to be caused by COVID-19 are [abnormal blood clotting in the lungs,
-liver, kidneys, and
-heart](https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/05/autopsies-covid-19-patients-reveal-clotting-concerns)
-and [serious and potentially fatal neurological
-disorders](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/08/warning-of-serious-brain-disorders-in-people-with-mild-covid-symptoms).
-Health workers are [struggling to
-cope](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/pandemic-experts-are-not-okay/613879/).
-
-All this to say, you *do not* want to get this virus. So I'm urging you all to
-take the necessary precautions. Wash your hands on a regular basis, for at least
-20 seconds. Wear a mask when you need to run an errand (such as shopping for
-groceries). If you must socialise, meet people outside (the risks are *much*
-lower) and practice social distancing. And for the love of `$deity` *stay out of
-the pubs!*