Questions and answers about the coronavirus and the de-escalation phases
Alarm status and summary of de-escalation phases
Alarm status and summary of de-escalation phases
Doubts about the disease and its symptoms
Doubts about the disease and its symptoms
How to act at home
How to act at home
Labor doubts
Labor doubts
State of alarm and summary of the de-escalation phases
How long will the state of alarm last?
How long will the state of alarm last?The declaration of the state alarm system makes it possible to adopt a series of measures in an extraordinary way, such as limiting the movement of people and intervening in premises of any nature.
For the moment, the President of the Government Pedro Sánchez has announced that the state of alarm will last until May 10, with the possibility of extending it. To do this, he has to have the approval of Congress.
Can I go outside?
Can I go outside?At the moment, the general recommendation is to stay at home and this is included in the state of alarm decree, although they begin to implement measures to make confinement more flexible through de-escalation phases (see details below). As a general rule, only one by one -unless it is to accompany someone with a disability, a minor (see details from the next point), or mobility problems- in the following cases.
- Acquisition of food, pharmaceuticals and basic necessities.
- Assistance to health centers.
- Travel to the workplace to carry out work, professional or business services [only in the case of essential activities since the approval of the decree of March 28].
- Return to the place habitual residence.
- Assistance and care for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or especially vulnerable people.
- Travel to financial institutions
- Due to force majeure or situation of necessity.
- Any other duly justified activity of a similar nature.
What are the de-escalation phases in summary?
What are the de-escalation phases in summary? Spain already has a de-escalation plan to reach the 'new normal' that is established, at least, until there is a vaccine or a highly effective treatment against COVID-19. It is a plan stratified by provinces and gradual, divided into four periods. Phase 0 began at the end of April, with the children's walks. Phase 1 will begin on May 4 in some Balearic and Canary Islands and on May 11 in provinces whose epidemiological situation allows it. On May 25, phase 2 may begin in some provinces; phase 3 on June 8; and the 'new normal', on June 22.
Each phase will entail a series of specific openings to social and economic life, such as being able to go to the hairdresser, visit relatives or go out to a party. There are others that will only arrive with the 'new normal', whose conditions are yet to be defined but in which a reinforcement of the health system and self-protection measures will endure.
Can children go outside?
Can children go outside? Since April 26, and within the so-called phase 0, children under 14 years of age will be able to go out to the streets to walk, play and exercise, complying with these basic rules: three children per adult, for one hour and one kilometer away from home. As of May 2, adults join the possibility of walking and going out to do sport, outings with children must take place between 12:00 and 19:00.
- They must be accompanied by an adult who currently lives at the same address as the child or is a household employee in charge of the child. In the event that it is a person other than her guardians, you will have to have authorization.
- A responsible adult will be allowed to leave with up to three boys and girls with whom they have lived regularly or permanently during confinement.
- The companions will be responsible for compliance with the conditions and limitations of the standard.
Which minors are not included to the extent that their departures allow?
Which minors are not included to the extent that their departures allow?- Boys and girls under 14 years of age who present symptoms of illness, have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are in home isolation will not be able to go for a walk.
-Neither are minors who have had contact with someone who has symptoms or has been diagnosed, if there has not been a home quarantine for 14 days.
When can children walk and for how long?
- Children under 14 years old: from 12:00 to 19:00
- The walk will last a maximum of one hour and can only be done once a day.
Where can minors walk?
Where can minors walk?- There will be a limitation for the departure of minors: the distance must not exceed one kilometer from the address where the minor lives minor. In addition, "an interpersonal distance" must be maintained with third parties of at least two meters. It is recommended to avoid crowded areas.
- Children under 14 years of age can walk in natural spaces such as forests, beaches or mountains, but the previous limitation must be met: they cannot be more than one kilometer from their home address.
- In the case of common areas of homes, such as gardens or patios, Vice President Pablo Iglesias pointed out this week that it is possible to do so, but the decision corresponds to the neighboring communities.
- It is forbidden to access closed public recreational spaces (slides, swings, for example) or sports facilities.
What can children do during their walks?
What can children do during their walks?- Running, jumping and exercising are allowed, "as long as the distance conditions are respected" , as explained by Vice President Pablo Iglesias at a press conference.
- Children can go out with their own toys, ride a scooter or bike. The responsible adult person must keep a close distance from minors and their toys in order to have control of the situation.
- You can't stay with friends.
- No group sports activities can be carried out.
- Only occasionally will you be able to talk to third parties, but always keeping a distance of approximately two meters. Communication should be brief.
And without children? Can I go out to play sports and take walks?
And without children? Can I go out to play sports and take walks? The Government allows walking and playing sports from 0:00 on May 2 under these conditions.
Sport
- Must be non-professional and outdoors
- Always individual, contactless
- Maximum, once a day
- Only within the municipality of residence
Walks
- From May 2, alone or in the company of a single person
- The companion must live in the same house or be a caregiver
- The walk cannot exceed a distance of one kilometer
- People with symptoms or in quarantine for having suffered from the disease or for having been in contact with a sick person are excluded
What are the time slots to go for a walk or play sports?
What are the time slots to go for a walk or play sports?- Individual sports and walks, from 6:00 to 10:00 :00 and from 20:00 to 23:00
- People over 70 years of age or who need assistance from a caregiver: from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Children under 14 years old: from 12:00 to 19:00
In municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, all of the above can be done at any time.
[Download the useful guide on walks and sports at this stage]
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When can I go to the gym?
When can I go to the gym?In phase 1, activities can return to sports centers, but always by appointment, without contact with other people and without use the changing rooms. In phase two too, in similar conditions. Non-professional matches with an outdoor audience may be held in phase 3, with a maximum of one third of the field's capacity.
When will professional sports return?
When will professional sports return? The government plan now authorizes, in phase 0, professional and federated individual training, and the basics of the leagues professionals. The training sessions of the professional leagues may be medium level in phase 1, and full in phase 2. The professional championships may resume in phase 2, but they will have to be behind closed doors – although they can be broadcast. Regarding La Liga soccer, he still has to make a final decision together with the Royal Federation on how to resolve the season. In phase 2, outdoor sports shows and activities may be held with the public, but in conditions similar to those of cultural shows, that is, with less than 400 people, with seats and distance.
When will I be able to see my friends and family?
When will I be able to see my friends and family? In the provinces that enter phase 1, it will be possible to establish "social contact in small groups" for people who are not vulnerable to the disease due to age and who do not have previous pathologies, and as long as they are within the same province. Gatherings of up to ten people will be allowed in private homes or outdoors.
When can I visit my family if they live in another community?
When can I visit my family if they live in another community? Until the 'new normal' it will not be possible to visit to family and friends who are in another province because in none of the phases can you travel between provinces if it is not due to force majeure. Both provinces will have to have reached it to be able to travel: for example, if Seville is in the 'new normal' on June 22 but Madrid is not yet, it will not be possible to travel from one to the other yet.
When can I go out for a beer? What about eating at a restaurant?
When can I go out for a beer? And what about eating at a restaurant? The terraces of the bars will open, at 50% of their capacity according to the license they had in 2019, when phase 1 begins. So it will be on May 4 in the Balearic and Canary Islands, and from May 11 in the provinces that Health decides according to their epidemiological situation. In phase 2, restaurants and bars with table service may open, without providing bar service, and also at a third of their capacity.
Initially it had been explained that in phase 1 the terraces would be opened to 30% -the criteria was modified after complaints from hoteliers- and in phase 3 it was planned to increase the capacity of restaurants and terraces to fifty%. It has not yet been specified if there will be any change in this regard. In closed spaces, people will be allowed to stand at the bar in phase 3, as long as the space guarantees that there is a 1.5-meter separation between customers. It remains to be seen if in the 'new normal' the bars, restaurants and terraces continue with this capacity limitation or if it is extended. None of this includes late-night bars and discos, which have their own specific rules.
When will I be able to party?
When will I be able to party? A nightlife similar to how we know it will return in phase 3. Nightclubs and nightclubs will be able to open then, only to a third of its capacity. The de-escalation plan contemplates "cultural events and outdoor shows" of less than 200 people in phase 1, less than 400 in phase 2 and less than 800 in phase 3, but as long as you are seated and with distance. So the possibility that popular summer festivals or festivals can be held will have to be defined with the measures of the 'new normal'. Check here other specific measures on de-escalation in culture, such as the reopening of cinemas.
When can you start traveling around Spain?
When can you start traveling around Spain? Population displacement is one of the challenges facing public administrations in the strategy of de-escalation Until phase 3 is passed, you can only travel within the province in which you are, except for a very justified cause of force majeure. Only when both the province of origin and the province of destination have reached the new normality, it will be possible to travel from one to the other. In the previous stage, in phase 2, trips to second homes will be allowed as long as they are in the same province.
Travels on medium and long-distance trains and buses will maintain the same periodicity in phase 0 as they do now, with a limitation of the number of services to 30% compared to the normal period. In the next stage, the maximum occupancy will be limited to 50% of the capacity of the vehicles and restaurant and catering services remain prohibited. It is not expected to increase passenger capacity until phase 3 is reached.
When will it be possible to travel to other countries or come to Spain?
When will it be possible to travel to other countries or come to Spain? International travel has not yet been scheduled, since the Government has to agree on a protocol with the EU to maintain common measures that guarantee security in the Schengen area. The future of flights is also subject to an agreement that is adopted at the community or international level.
The Government recognizes that the opening of borders, since it does not depend solely on decisions at the national level, will be a "predictably more complex" recovery. It will require "multiplying efforts in cooperation and multilateralism." They hope that cooperation and work with international organizations (the World Health Organization and the World Tourism Organization) will lay the foundations to address the opening safely "in the medium term", always depending on the evolution of the pandemic outside of our country and "privileging coherence at the European level".
The European Commission has asked countries to open their borders "as soon as possible" and Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has also expressed his expectation that it will be "sooner than later", but always following "scientific and health criteria public".
Will it be possible to go to the beach this summer?
Will it be possible to go to the beach this summer? Access to the beaches to be able to bathe is programmed in phase 3 "in conditions of safety and distancing". The Government has not provided further details on the specific measures that will be implemented, but they have explained that the involvement of local authorities will be very important in the strategy adopted. The conditions for access to swimming pools, which are not mentioned in the phased plan, are yet to be defined.
Will it be possible to return to class this course?
Will it be possible to return to class this course? The return to most of the classrooms will not take place until September, although that does not mean that all the centers remain closed until then. In phase 0, the current trend of promoting online or distance education will continue. In the next stage, the opening of the educational and university sites is planned for their disinfection and conditioning, the return of the administrative and preparatory work of the teachers is also included. During this period, the university laboratories will also resume operation.
Phase 2 will be key for educational workers, schools that serve children up to 6 years of age will open, provided that families prove that parents have to do face-to-face work without the possibility of flexibility. In this case, the capacity will be taken into account, which will be limited. Other students who will be allowed to return to class this course are students who are closing an educational cycle, that is, those who are studying 4th of ESO, 2nd of Baccalaureate, 2nd of FP of Middle and Higher grade and last year of Teachings of special regime, this attendance will only be voluntary. The 2nd year of Baccalaureate students who plan to present you to the EBAU will be examined at this stage.
How does the Government anticipate the return to jobs?
How does the Government anticipate the return to jobs?At the beginning of the de-escalation, the Executive continues to advocate teleworking, as preferred method to carry out daily tasks in companies where possible. The Government advocates that traffic in jobs that cannot be carried out remotely "be as fluid as possible", explain official sources. As of phase 1, an analysis will be carried out to adapt to the pandemic the requirements of Occupational Risk Prevention in the activities that are carried out. However, the face-to-face reincorporation protocols will not be implemented until stage 3 is reached. In this situation, a staggered schedule will be taken into account and the national authorities will require conciliation guarantees.
When will the hairdressers open?
When will the hairdressers open? The hairdressers will be one of the first establishments that will be able to open their doors, although they will only attend by appointment. From May 4, in phase 0, they will be able to go to them and they will work guaranteeing prevention measures to avoid contagion by COVID-19. When a territory goes to the next phase, this service will be able to work without having to previously arrange a visit.
And the bookstores? And the clothing stores?
And the bookstores? What about clothing stores? Shops that do not exceed 400 square meters that can guarantee individualized attention and work by appointment will be able to open on Monday, May 4, if they meet the hygiene conditions for it. In phase 1, all shops and establishments that are not in shopping centers will be able to resume their business with a capacity limited to 30% and people over 65 years of age will have to have preferential attention. Those who are in shopping centers can open under the same conditions in phase 2, but you will not be able to be in the common areas of those centers. The rest, in phase 2, will see their capacity expanded to 40% whenever they can. In phase 3, 50%, and the ban on staying in common areas of shopping centers will be lifted. All the limitations of clients have to guarantee that there are 2 meters between each one of them; if you can't, you'll have to stay inside just one.
When will the celebration of weddings and wakes be resumed?
When will the celebration of weddings and wakes be resumed? The de-escalation plan provides for the celebration of these two events, which were paralyzed, to be resumed with the implementation of the state of alarm. The marriage ties can be celebrated in phase 2, at that stage they will be carried out with a limited number of attendees, and in the next one, it is expected to increase the number of guests, although the Government has not yet provided indicative figures.
On the other hand, wakes can be held as soon as phase 1 is reached, although also with a reduced number of people: 15 people outdoors and ten indoors.
Can I be accompanied in the car?
Can I be accompanied in the car? basic activities or for refueling at gas stations.
As stated in the RD, these trips must "be carried out individually, unless people with disabilities, minors, the elderly are accompanied, or there is another duly justified cause".
On March 25, the Government qualified the decree and added the following text:
"Public, complementary private and individual transport of people in vehicles with up to nine seats, including the driver, carried out within the framework of the cases of displacement authorized in article 7 of Royal Decree 463/2020, of 14 March, in which more than one person must travel in the vehicle, it will respect that there is a maximum of one person for each row of seats, maintaining the greatest possible distance between the occupants".
In other words, two people are allowed to travel in a car, the driver and another in the opposite seat in the back, and provided that the displacement is carried out for one of the reasons contemplated in the decree of the state of alarm. These trips can also be made in rental vehicles.
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Can I be fined?
Can I be fined? The Penal Code and the Citizen Security Law include the crimes and administrative infractions that citizens who do not respect the state of alarm may incur, as it appears in the order by which the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, regulates the actions of the Security Forces in the current scenario.
The crimes of "non-compliance or resistance to the orders of the authority" are punished, in its most serious modality, with up to four years in prison, while the application of the Citizen Security Law implies a sanction for serious misconduct with fines of between 601 and 30,000 euros.
[More information]
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▶ Do you need a safe-conduct to go shopping?
▶ Do you need a safe-conduct to go shopping?No, you don't need a permit to go shopping or to the pharmacy, since it is They are considered essential activities and are allowed by the Royal Decree.
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▶ Should I keep my grocery or pharmacy receipts in case I get stopped?
▶ Should I keep my grocery or pharmacy receipts in case I get stopped? automatic sanction if you do not carry them, although it is recommended. In the event that the security forces stop you and carry out the pertinent checks to see if you meet the requirements to be on the street, it will be easier to demonstrate that you are not committing an offense if you carry the receipts, prescriptions, bank receipt, etc. , prove it.
Sources from the Ministry of the Interior consulted by eldiario.es explained when asked about the need for receipts, that the police will make the "pertinent inquiries" to find out if the person moving has a justified reason within the state of alarm and that the receipts will be provided your work, which will be resolved faster, but they are not mandatory.
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▶ How long should the dog walk last?
▶ How long should the dog walk last? Walking the dog is one of the exceptions contemplated in the state decree alarm. When they were detailed at a press conference, the director of the Health Alerts and Emergencies Coordination Center of the Ministry of Health, Fernando Simón, clarified that "they have not been limited to a longer or shorter time, but the usual one."
Even so, from the General Directorate of Animal Rights, they issue the following recommendations:
In some cities such as Alicante, the Local Police have begun to control the time that dog walks last in parks and avenues so that "the dog is not the excuse for skipping confinement", according to the agency EFE.
The owners of the dogs must be aware that they cannot take them for a walk "for more than ten minutes", according to sources from the Alicante city council.
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▶ Can I leave the house to take care of a family member or dependent person or run errands?
▶ Can I leave the house to take care of a family member or dependent person or run errands? It is one of the assumptions included in the Royal Decree: "assistance and care for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or especially vulnerable people".
It is important that you comply with the safety recommendations to avoid infecting people at risk by minimizing contact.
Those who must change the custody of minors can also travel to care for them. This was confirmed by the Minister of Justice, Juan Carlos Campo, assuring that the custody regimes and visits of separate parents "will have to continue to be fulfilled" during the validity of the state of alarm, ensuring that "the return of the minor to the habitual residence is one of the excepted causes" in the decree approved by the Government.
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▶ Can I go out to accompany a person with a disability?
▶ Can I go out to accompany a person with a disability? On March 20, the Ministry of Health signed a Instruction that explicitly enables "people with disabilities, who have behavioral disorders, such as people with a diagnosis of autism spectrum and disruptive behaviors, which is aggravated by the situation of confinement derived from the declaration of the state of alarm, and a companion , to circulate on roads for public use, as long as the necessary measures are respected to avoid contagion ".
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▶ Is it necessary to provide documentation that proves that I am accompanying a person with a disability?
▶ Is it necessary to provide documentation that proves that I am accompanying a person with a disability? The regulation does not establish that it is necessary to carry the documentation. However, both the Spanish Autism Confederation and CERMI recommend that the following documents be carried:
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▶ Should people with disabilities be identified in some way?
▶ Should people with disabilities be identified in some way?No. Although there are several initiatives that encourage wearing a badge to avoid being scolded from the balconies when these therapeutic walks are taking place, there is no obligation to 'mark' people with any type of disability who need to go out. The Confederation Autism Spain warns that this can be counterproductive.
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Doubts about the disease and its symptoms
How is it spread?
How is it spread? The coronavirus is transmitted mainly through respiratory droplets that spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. They can be transmitted by direct contact and through the air, which is why it is so important to "stay more than one meter away" from someone with symptoms, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person, so other people can get COVID-19 if they touch these objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. For this reason, hand hygiene is necessary –with soap and water or with a hydroalcoholic solution– and avoid touching your face. It is therefore important to use disposable tissues.
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What are the symptoms?
What are the symptoms? According to the WHO, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and a dry cough. Some patients may experience aches, nasal congestion, sore throat, or diarrhea, and the combination of all of these varies from person to person. These other symptoms are usually mild and come on gradually.
In the report of the WHO mission in China and collected by the Ministry of Health in one of its technical documents, the most frequent symptoms and signs are described after the study of more than 55,000 laboratory-confirmed cases:
In Spain, analyzing 18,609 reported cases, the most frequent symptoms according to a report from the Ministry of Health were:
Other symptoms related to different organs and systems have also been described, according to the same technical report from Health:
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Is the loss of taste and smell a symptom?
Is the loss of taste and smell a symptom? Yes, the WHO lists it that way. La Española de Neurología has already warned about a symptom associated with COVID-19: acute anosmia or loss of smell. In an official communication, the specialists advise "14-day isolation" for these people "paying attention and notifying the doctor of the development of new symptoms"; and they ask that anosmia be considered as one of the symptoms of the infection.
This anosmia, the Spanish neurologists recall, is "a frequent symptom in viral respiratory infections other than COVID-19, especially when it is accompanied by nasal mucus." In these cases, not much attention is paid to it as it is a normal process. However, they explain, in the case of the coronavirus, sometimes the loss of smell can be abrupt and without mucus.
French health authorities have also warned that loss of smell can be one of the symptoms that manifest in case of infection with the coronavirus and recommended that citizens consult their doctor by phone if this happens to them.
The expert from La Paz University Hospital believes that there may be some cultural component in the fact that these symptoms are being reported, especially in Europe, and they are not considered part of the frequent symptoms after thousands of cases have been analyzed in China . Likewise, he points out that "since the 1960s" there is evidence that viral representations cause loss of taste and smell during the first days, and that this "is very common in many viriases." Doctor Sánchez also calms down by saying that these symptoms are usually reversible.
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Which are the groups at greatest risk?
Which are the groups at greatest risk? acquired": they must limit the exits from their home and avoid crowded places. These groups would make up, broadly speaking, the "vulnerable population."
To be specific, the study on the coronavirus that China published a little less than a month ago: of those analyzed, 10.5% of patients with cardiovascular diseases died, 7.3% of those with diabetes, 6% of those who had a picture of hypertension, and 7.3% with chronic diseases. 15% of the deceased were over 80 years old, and 8%, between 70 and 79. Another study published in The Lancet and also carried out in China reveals that the risk factors associated with a greater possibility of dying from the new coronavirus They are: being an elderly person, showing signs of sepsis or septicemia and having blood clotting problems.
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How long does it take from when someone is infected to when they start to spread the disease to others?
How long does it take from when someone is infected to when they start to spread the disease to others?At the time The length of time between when you are infected and when you begin to develop symptoms is called the incubation period. For COVID-19, the average incubation period, according to the latest reports from the Ministry of Health, is 5-6 days, with a wide range that goes from 0 to 24 days.
Contagion before symptoms begin is scientifically documented and exists, but, according to the Spanish Epidemiology, "it is common to transmit it at a higher point, with a higher viral load. The more respiratory secretions, the greater the risk. At a level population, we should not be overly concerned about asymptomatic contagion".
The mean serial interval calculated in China with the first 425 cases was 7.5 days with a standard deviation of ± 3.4 days.
More problematic than the asymptomatic is contagion when symptoms begin to appear but are mild. As the WHO indicates, they are like this "particularly in the early stages." Therefore, the risk increases with people who, for example, only have a mild cough at some point in those first 14 days and do not feel sick enough not to leave the house.
For this reason, the Ministry has recommended to the entire Spanish population during this crisis that, if symptoms start, they should not go outside and call the health center.
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Should I call the health services or not?
Should I call the health services or not? These are, according to Fernando Rodríguez Artalejo, professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the Autonomous University of Madrid, some good practices to deal with isolation in case of mild symptoms. If the situation is serious, the instruction is to call the telephone numbers authorized by the authorities (here they are all, different for each autonomous community) and follow their instructions. The Ministry of Health has also published its own guidelines for action in this situation (available here) .
Since the symptoms of the coronavirus (fever, cough and feeling short of breath in some cases) are very similar to those of the flu, Artalejo recommends waiting a day or two to confirm that they persist and, if this is the case, , Call the doctor. "What we would do in a normal flu situation," he explains, "the coronavirus often manifests itself as a cold and people don't go to the doctor because of a cold."
That said, having a few tenths of a fever at 25 and healthy is not the same as being 90 years old and with a chronic illness. In this case, you have to call the authorized telephone number directly and follow the instructions.
In the event that we are certain that we have been with someone who we now know is infected with coronavirus, we should also call the health services, never go directly.
What they recommend on these telephones is home isolation for 14 days from the onset of symptoms, as long as the clinical picture has been resolved. Follow-up and discharge will be supervised by your primary care physician or in the manner established in each autonomous community.
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Should I take something for the symptoms?
Should I take something for the symptoms? Artalejo warns that "it is practically impossible to distinguish the coronavirus from a common flu" and it is not possible to know in advance what its evolution in case of contracting it, so it is possible that we will never know if we have it. "Most people don't have a clear clinic, it's impossible to diagnose it from the clinic," he explains.
The most common are tiredness, malaise and fever. Respiratory problems are less and usually appear later in cases that go wrong. This may be an indicator of the coronavirus. In addition, the doctor explains that since the coronavirus is now more frequent than the flu, it is assumed that whoever presents these symptoms has coronavirus and must act as such by isolating themselves.
Should we take something for the symptoms? "As with any other viral disease, symptomatic treatment can and should be taken because it alleviates and does not affect the course of the disease, it will not mask any problem," Artalejo replies.
Any standard fever-reducing medicine or compound will do. The Ministry of Health recalls, however, that antibiotics should not be used as a means of treatment or prevention.
Most people are over the disease in four or five days, if it goes well. If it worsens on the second or third day, you have to call the Health telephone numbers.
On the controversy between the use of ibuprofen or paracetamol, we detail the issue here.
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How long does the disease last?
How long does the disease last? According to the latest Health guides, the average time from the onset of symptoms to recovery is 2 weeks when the disease has been mild and 3-6 weeks when it has been severe or critical.
The time between the onset of symptoms until the onset of severe symptoms such as hypoxemia (abnormal decrease in partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood) is 1 week, and 2-8 weeks until death occurs .
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What is the mortality rate?
What is the mortality rate? 80% of patients recover without special treatment, 20% are severe, and about 2% die, according to WHO data.
The Ministry of Health, however, states that a "precise estimate of lethality is very complicated" due to "the time elapsed between diagnosis and outcome (death/recovery), as well as the degree of underreporting of cases, especially the less serious ones.
In its documentation, the Government indicates that up to now, "the crude average fatality in Europe and the United Kingdom is 7.4% of the reported cases, although it must be taken into account that this calculation is subject to multiple biases of notification and by the different policies for carrying out diagnostic tests in the countries".
In the case of Spain, "with 52,129 cases notified to the National Surveillance Network", Health estimates the mortality rate at "5.9%", although they warn that this figure "will have to be adjusted throughout the epidemic". The case fatality rate calculated "by modeling" among those hospitalized rises to 14% and in the general population it would be between 0.3 and 1%.
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How do the tests work to detect the coronavirus?
How do the tests work to detect the coronavirus? The technique used to detect the coronavirus is PCR, which stands for "reaction in polymerase chain," and it's not new. It was designed by the eccentric Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, Kary Mullis, and in the 1980s, they revolutionized genetics, since they allow a small amount of DNA to be copied millions of times so that there is enough to analyze it.
PCRs are used every day in thousands of laboratories around the world to determine paternity, identify cadavers and detect diseases; in this case, to diagnose infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
This infographic made by Compound Interest and translated into Spanish by Claudia Blanco and Fernando Gomollón summarizes the entire PCR detection process, explains its limitations and describes what future tests will be like.
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Are masks useful? Is it mandatory to wear them?
Are masks useful? Is it mandatory to wear them? The WHO indicates as a preventive measure to keep that meter away, hand hygiene and avoid touching your face. At the moment, its recommendations do not include the general use of masks, and it is only indicated by people with coughs and sneezes: "If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you care for someone in whom the infection is suspected" and also "only They are effective if combined with frequent hand washing with a hydroalcoholic solution or soap and water".
In Spain, during the different phases of de-escalation, including the "new normality", the Government recommends the use of masks when going out into the street. Both from walks to future outings to terraces or entertainment venues. However, despite its use being "recommended", it is not mandatory at the moment.
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When will there be a vaccine?
When will there be a vaccine? There are many laboratories and pharmaceuticals in the world right now working on a vaccine against the coronavirus. Eight Spanish centers won European funds to investigate COVID-19. In fact, this is key to one of the objectives: to contain the epidemic in the countries and 'flatten the curve' of positives to gain time while a solution is found. In any case, the scientific community does not expect the vaccine to be ready before 18 months.
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How to act at home
How to isolate yourself if you have symptoms?
How to isolate yourself if you have symptoms?If we have symptoms, we must isolate ourselves within confinement. The basic conduct in these situations should be "try to spend as much time as possible in a separate room." Whoever has the possibility should isolate a room for the exclusive use of the patient. The ideal situation would be to dedicate two: one to spend the day, another to sleep in solitude. Health recommends having your own garbage cans in these rooms, with a lid that is activated by a pedal.
Once isolated, the sick person should wear a mask if they live with someone else. At first, anything that is similar to the surgical ones is worth it, explains Artalejo. You also have to take your temperature regularly to monitor your own evolution. The patient can wear gloves in case he goes out into common spaces, for example the bathroom.
According to the Health protocol, the conditions of the home must allow the isolation of the patient in a well-ventilated room and, if possible, the availability of their own bathroom. The patient must be available for the medical evaluations that are necessary and both the patient and their cohabitants must be able to correctly and consistently apply the basic hygiene, prevention and infection control measures.
The health services will provide the patient and their cohabitants with all the necessary instructions.
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What should I do if I live in the same house with an infected person?
What should I do if I live in the same house with an infected person? and do not belong to vulnerable groups are being cared for at home. The Ministry established a protocol on this type of care aimed at health workers that includes precautionary measures for cohabitants. The patient must remain isolated for 14 days in a single room; If you have to go to common areas for essential reasons, you must do so with a mask. Everyone in the house should wash their hands frequently. And be careful, because they become 'contacts' of an infected person: you have to take your temperature twice a day and check if there is a cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing.
Here is a diagram with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health for home care for Covid-19.
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What should I do if I live with a person at risk?
What should I do if I live with a person at risk? You have to be especially careful with hygiene measures if you live at home with an elderly person or have a chronic illness. In this graph from the Health Department of the Generalitat, they recommend trying not to touch anything when you get home from work or shopping, leave your bags and keys at the entrance, take off your shoes, shower, clean your mobile phone and glasses, and ventilate very good common areas.
Can pets get it and be contagious?
Can pets get it and be contagious? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no scientific evidence that companion animals such as dogs, cats or other pets can transmit COVID-19, although it recommends "for hygiene" to carefully wash your hands with soap and water after touching our pets.
If you have gone out, as a prevention wash your hands before and after touching your pet, and you can clean its pads and tail with soap and water or special wipes for animals when you get home after the walk.
[Here you have more information about dogs and coronavirus]
[And here several questions and answers about cats and coronavirus]
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Are homemade masks useful?
Are homemade masks useful? Despite the recommendations of the health authorities, tutorials and altruistic initiatives for the manufacture of homemade masks have proliferated in multiple places of our country during the last week. These masks, made from different materials such as cloth or paper, are not approved, nor have they passed any control, so there is no guarantee of their effectiveness in preventing the passage of viral particles through them, although they can serve as an additional barrier. taking into account the rest of the basic recommendations to avoid contagion.
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How long does the virus last on surfaces?
How long does the virus last on surfaces? The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 remains active on surfaces, allowing it to infect people, even though time that survives varies according to the type of material: it reaches three days in plastic and two days in steel, according to the scientific study published by the New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers have concluded that SARSCOV-2 remains more stable on plastic and steel (72 and 48 hours respectively) although, yes, "the viral load was greatly reduced" during that period
In addition to plastic and steel, the scientists tested SARSCOV-2 for activity on copper and cardboard. In the first, this coronavirus remains for three hours and the second for 24 hours.
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What do I have to do when I come home from the street or work?
What do I have to do when I come home from the street or work? The latest recommendations from the Ministry of Health advise greater care when we come home from work or running any of the allowed errands.
The new recommendations if you leave home are:
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Can I get it from coins or bills?
Can I get it from coins or bills? The WHO has not issued any specific recommendations on the need to disinfect coins, bills or credit cards. Maldita.es contacted the WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib to ask her directly about the issue and she replied: "The WHO has not said that the banknotes transmit COVID-19, nor have they transmitted any warning or communication on the subject "We were asked if banknotes could transmit COVID-19 and we responded that you should wash your hands after handling money, especially if you are holding or eating food. It is a good hygiene practice to wash your hands."
In any case, the general recommendation is to pay with a card whenever possible, to minimize physical contact.
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Should we disinfect the mobile?
Should we disinfect the mobile? It is recommended to avoid sharing the mobile. To disinfect it, diluted alcohol can be used without touching the charging areas or connectors. Bleach is not recommended in this case.
In this article from Consumo Claro they explain the best way to disinfect it.
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Can I get it by touching supermarket products?
Can I get it by touching supermarket products? Experts agree that getting it through plastic, packaging, cardboard, etc. , it is not the usual route, since although the virus remains on surfaces, the viral load is low. For this reason, the general recommendation is to maintain hygiene rules and wash your hands with soap and water when you arrive from the supermarket, avoiding touching your face with your hands.
Gema del Caño, a pharmacist and specialist in food safety, explained to eldiario.es that the risk of contamination "is not nil" and that even if it is a "remote" possibility, as a precaution it is better to clean the containers "than are not porous".
To do this, he recommends using a clean cloth dipped in a solution of two tablespoons of bleach per liter of water.
"We must not forget that contagion is by contact, so we must keep in mind that when we get home with the bags we must take out the containers and wash our hands. When cleaning and storing the products , we wash our hands again", he points out and insists that "it is the hands that are contagious" when we touch our faces and mucous membranes with them, not the containers.
In the case of cardboard packages and porous surfaces, it is recommended to remove this wrapper, not clean it because it will be damaged by the disinfectant. Once the containers are clean and the products are placed, the surface where they have been handled is cleaned and we wash our hands again.
José Antonio Lopez Guerrero, professor and director of the Neurobiology group at the UAM, who explains it in this RTVE.es video, agrees with this advice to clean the containers with a disinfectant as an additional measure.
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How should the house be cleaned?
How should the house be cleaned? Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities, it is important that there is a good cleaning before proceeding, if applicable, to a disinfection if there are affected people in the home. The recommendations of the Ministry of Health in this regard are the following:
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Which ways of disinfecting are effective?
Which ways of disinfecting are effective? Del Caño explains that the soap "inactivates the virus because it has surfactants." Likewise, "diluted bleach is quite effective because it oxidizes the virus", and applying alcohol with a cloth "breaks the proteins" of the virus membrane. The pharmacist warns that "neither vinegar nor ammonia have been shown to be effective" as a disinfectant measure.
In this link pdf. You can find the list of virucidal products authorized in Spain. It distinguishes those for common use -Sanitol, Conejo disinfectant, Bosque Verde..., and those for professional use only.
If you don't have these disinfectants on hand, you can make a bleach solution. From the Community of Madrid they give the following guidelines to make an effective solution by diluting bleach to 1:50, a mixture that is recommended to prepare the day of its use.
- Take 20 ml of homemade bleach, the brand does not matter.
- Pour it into a 1-liter bottle.
- Fill the bottle with tap water until full .
- Seal and invert several times to mix.
- Wet a clean cloth with this solution to disinfect surfaces.
- Clean the cloth with water from the faucet after each use and resoak it with this bleach solution. Wear gloves.
You can also use a solution made from alcohol that we have at home, to disinfect small surfaces or personal objects:
How do you recommend washing clothes? What about the cutlery?
How do you recommend washing clothes? What about the cutlery? The fabrics are porous, so the risk of spread through clothing is low and it is not necessary to wash it every time we go out. Del Caño explains that with a normal wash, "when using a soap that is surfactant, it is already effective against the virus."
If there is someone sick at home, it is recommended to place bedding, towels, clothes, etc. in a closed bag until it is time to wash it.
In this case, do not shake the clothes before washing them with regular soaps or detergents and it is recommended to choose a washing temperature of 60-90 ºC. Hang out and let it dry completely.
It is recommended not to share dishes. Reusable crockery and cutlery, preferably washed in the dishwasher at more than 60º or with hot soapy water.
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Labor doubts
Am I obliged to go to work despite the epidemic and the state of alarm?
Am I obliged to go to work despite the epidemic and the state of alarm? From March 29 to April 13, all non-essential work activities were stopped for 15 days. During that period, only those who worked in activities included in the decree could go to their workplace and had to do so by presenting a document signed by the company that accredited it. The rest should take advantage of a "paid leave" for which they stayed at home without working but getting paid and those hours not worked would have to be recovered later.
After this stoppage in activity, on Monday, April 13, another state decree came into force that returns us to the situation prior to March 29. That is to say: confinement in which only those who do not present symptoms, have not lived with someone who has tested positive, are not a population at risk and cannot take advantage of teleworking will go to work.
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Are construction works and works allowed?
Are construction works and works allowed? Works on existing buildings or that involve the transfer of workers or materials through places that are transited by other people "temporarily or permanently" will continue to be prohibited for the moment.
This is stated in a ministerial order published on Sunday, April 12 in the Official State Gazette (BOE), advanced by 'El BOE nuestro de cada día'. The norm justifies that the "concentration of people in buildings in which certain intervention works are being carried out" implies an increased risk of contagion by COVID-19. Consequently, it is appropriate to "suspend" its execution.
This restriction, however, will not reach those works in which said interference does not occur and the works to be carried out can be "separated" within the property they affect, as well as those whose purpose is to carry out urgent repairs installations, breakdowns or surveillance tasks in the property itself.
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What does "recoverable paid leave" consist of?
What does "recoverable paid leave" consist of? March to April 13 there will be a "recoverable paid leave" that companies will pay. That is why it is recoverable: they are not hours worked less, but postponed over time. It assumes that, between March 30 and April 13, employees will receive their salary normally, but those hours not worked will accumulate and be recovered "gradually and spaced out over time" once the confinement ends and until the December 31 of this year.
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How will the hours that are not worked be recovered?
How will the hours that are not worked be recovered? Those hours must be recovered by the workers from the end of the state of alarm and until the December 31. This recovery must be negotiated between the company and the workers for a maximum period of seven days. If the company does not have legal representation of the workers, this will be exercised by the most representative unions in the sector. The agreement must be ratified by the majority of people that make up the legal representation of the workers and must establish the recovery period and the notice with which the affected people must be notified.
If there is no agreement, the company will notify the staff how they recover. The recovery of hours can never imply a breach of daily and weekly breaks, the right to notice, conciliation or exceeding the maximum annual working day.
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I am sick due to the coronavirus, how do I request sick leave?
I am sick due to the coronavirus, how do I request sick leave? To contain the spread of the virus, the health authorities recommend that people with mild symptoms not go to health centers and report their condition by telephone. From Social Security they explain that "low part for Temporary Disability" is still needed.
The procedure for the health service to issue the discharge is as follows, explains Social Security: "As we know that you should not go to the health center by protocol, when calling the Public Health coronavirus hotline and when telling them to isolate themselves, a statement is made to the primary care medical inspections and they communicate it to the INSS". In Social Security they recognize that "given the changing situation in each Community, health procedures are also updated."
A primary health care professional in the Community of Madrid explains that the discharge is processed directly with the center at her health center: the patient calls, reports the symptoms and answers the health workers' questions; they issue the withdrawal and leave it in the center for another authorized person to pick up.
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What is an ERTE?
What is an ERTE? It is a Temporary Employment Regulation File, which is usually called temporary ERTE or ERE. They may consist of temporarily suspending the contract of workers or reducing their working hours and must be justified by "economic, technical, organizational or production causes or derived from force majeure" (article 47 of the Workers' Statute ). Those affected may be the entire workforce or only part of it.
These ERTEs due to force majeure (not those justified by economic, technical, organizational and production reasons related to COVID-19) have as a "maximum duration" the state of alarm and its possible extensions.
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Will I return to my position after the ERTE?
Will I return to my position after the ERTE? their posts or recover their previous days.
How do I request a strike if the SEPE offices are closed to the public?
How do I request a strike if the SEPE offices are closed to the public?SEPE public offices are closed to service face-to-face, but not by telephone, and applications are also processed electronically.
The Ministry of Labor explains that "if it is an individual dismissal, you should try to request the benefit by phone or by electronic means" and if the person demanding the unemployment benefit is affected by an ERTE due to the coronavirus, Your benefit will be processed ex officio by SEPE when the company notifies you of the workers affected by the file.
During the validity of the extraordinary measures due to the epidemic, the SEPE may ex officio extend the right to receive the unemployment subsidy, "so that the lack of application does not entail the interruption of the perception of the unemployment subsidy or the reduction of its duration. In the case of the subsidy for the unemployed over 52 years of age, "the payment of the subsidy and the Social Security contribution will not be interrupted even when the mandatory annual income statement is submitted outside the legally established term."
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I am self-employed and I had to stop working due to the epidemic. Am I entitled to any type of benefit?
I am self-employed and I had to stop working due to the epidemic. Am I entitled to some type of benefit? Another of the first measures taken by the Government, which has been refined, is the creation of an extraordinary benefit for cessation of activity (a kind of 'unemployment') for self-employed workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This link contains a specific guide on this aid, of a minimum of 661 euros per month, intended for those self-employed workers affected by the closure of businesses due to the declaration of the state of alarm and for those whose billing falls by 75% compared to the monthly average of the previous semester.
The beneficiaries of the benefit will not have to pay the self-employed contribution to Social Security. In the case of the month of March, they only have to pay until the declaration of the state of alarm and, in case of delays in their payment, no surcharges will be imposed from Social Security.
Be careful, there is a limit to request the benefit: "It may be requested until the last day of the month following the end of the state of alarm." For the self-employed who missed the deadline to join a mutual, the Executive has made it possible for one to be selected at the same time that the termination benefit is requested, in order to be able to collect this aid.
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The company forces me to take a vacation for a few days due to the coronavirus. Is it legal?
The company forces me to take vacations for a few days due to the coronavirus. Is it legal? This is another of the most frequent queries that labor lawyers are receiving these days. No, the company cannot force its employees to take vacations, which must be agreed between the parties, reminds eldiario.es Juan Rubiño, from Red Jurídica.
What happens to workers affected by temporary disability or maternity and/or paternity leave?
What happens to workers affected by temporary disability or maternity and/or paternity? These workers are not affected by the decree on essential activities and will continue to receive their disability benefit as usual.
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Can I be fired for the coronavirus?
Can I be fired for the coronavirus? Despite the advantages in the ERTE and the call to prioritize teleworking (impossible in many occupations), the unions asked to the Government to limit by law the possibility of dismissing during the health crisis because an enormous number of dismissals and termination of temporary contracts were taking place, assured the leaders of the CCOO and UGT. The Government finally approved the prohibition to dismiss objectively due to the coronavirus since Saturday, March 28, as well as to extinguish temporary contracts for this reason.
What does this measure mean? All the details are covered in this topic. Companies cannot fire objectively due to the coronavirus crisis, with the 20 days per year worked as compensation. They continue to have access to disciplinary dismissal and the objective for reasons unrelated to COVID-19, but if it is shown that a company has dismissed a person due to this health crisis, the dismissal would be classified as unfair, with 33-day compensation. per year worked, according to the labor law experts consulted. Other voices, such as the professor of Labor Law Antonio Baylos, point out that it could even be described as null dismissal.
What if I have a temporary contract?
What if I have a temporary contract? The decree that vetoes layoffs includes protection for temporary contracts: companies cannot terminate their contracts due to the coronavirus epidemic. For example: if the temporary contract had a duration of one month and this period has not ended, the company cannot terminate it before it concludes as a reason for the reduction in sales that it is having due to this crisis. According to the experts consulted in Labor Law, these contracts could be extinguished on their own when they come to an end.
In addition, the "interruption of the calculation of the maximum duration of temporary contracts" of people with a temporary contract included in an ERTE due to COVID-19 was agreed. The suspension of contracts (including training, relief and interim) "will mean the interruption of the calculation, both of the duration of these contracts, and of the reference periods equivalent to the suspended period". Thus, when the ERTEs conclude, these temporary contracts are resumed without the time during which the file has been extended having been consumed.
I was temporary and they fired me, do I have help?
I was temporary and they fired me, do I have help? Many temporary workers were losing their jobs these days. Social Security figures point to 900,000 jobs destroyed in the last two weeks of March, an unprecedented high. Of these casualties, more than two thirds (613,250) correspond to temporary work. The Government created a subsidy of 430 euros and one month in duration, which may be extended if the Executive so decides, for those temporary workers whose contracts are terminated during the state of alarm and have not contributed enough to receive the benefit of unemployment or have access to another subsidy.
There is a condition to access the aid: that the temporary contract be "at least two months long". The decree specifies that "interim, training and relief contracts are included". This subsidy is also "incompatible with the perception of any minimum income, inclusion income, social salary or similar aid granted by any Public Administration".
I was a domestic worker and I lost my job
I was a domestic worker and I lost my jobDuring this crisis, for the first time, domestic workers can access a subsidy for becoming unemployed or seeing their activity reduced . Domestic workers are the only ones who do not have the right to unemployment, which left them totally defenseless in this crisis. The Executive finally created an extraordinary unemployment benefit for those employees who were registered with Social Security before the state of alarm and who have lost their income, totally or partially.
The access requirements are having temporarily stopped providing the service due to risk of contagion or having been fired. The amount will be 70% of the regulatory base prior to the month in which the loss of income occurred and may not exceed the minimum interprofessional salary. Subsidy details can be found here.
