Thread by @WIRED

You may be hearing some people say that the flu is deadlier than the novel coronavirus; that’s because they don’t really understand the math. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two viruses and what you should understand about #COVID2019: 1/

Let’s get this out of the way: “Flu can kill Americans by the tens of thousands, but that’s because it’s been around so long and has had so much time to spread. Millions get the virus every year, and fewer than 0.1 percent of them perish from it.” 2/ wired.trib.al/X1DKznU

For comparison, the World Health Organization currently estimates #Covid19’s fatality rate to be about 3.4 percent globally. 3/
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But without adequate and complete testing, nobody knows HOW many people the novel coronavirus will ultimately infect. Scientists know a lot more about influenza—and have a vaccine against it, too. #COVID2019 4/
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Part of what makes the coronavirus so concerning is that it's new. That means we don't have a vaccine for it. And we most likely won't have one for over a year. #COVID2019 5/ wired.trib.al/tRorpk8

To make matters worse, President Trump himself doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to being accurate about the #coronavirus. At his CDC press event last week, he falsely claimed that anyone in the US could get tested for it. That’s untrue. 6/ wired.trib.al/HRtRRT9

So what can you do to prevent #COVID2019? Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. Self-quarantine if you feel sick or have been exposed to someone with the virus. 7/ wired.trib.al/RkEIxof

And if you are out in public and washing your hands, maybe skip that hand dryer. #CoronavirusOutbreak 8/ wired.trib.al/x2yLiLe

Finally, your tech is filthy. Viruses can cling to glass surfaces for up to 96 hours. Here’s some quick tips on how to clean it up safely and effectively. #COVID2019 9/ wired.trib.al/kdBLNgW

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