What is Coronavirus?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the new coronavirus, named the COVID-19 virus, is a newly discovered infectious disease. This new virus strain is a new version of six other known coronavirus strains. COVID-19 is believed to have successfully mutated to a point where it crossed over from animals to humans. The disease is now easily transmitted from human to human, and has spread to many countries around the world, causing havoc to health systems and economies alike.
Medical institutions have described COVID-19 as a respiratory disease. This means that the virus primarily attacks the lungs. Some patients have, however, reported gastro-intestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Although clinical trials are in progress, no vaccine or cure has been identified for the disease as of April 2020. Coronaviruses have caused epidemics like the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2015 and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003.
Coronavirus Precautions
The World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended washing hands, and maintaining social distancing as the best measures for preventing the spread of the virus. The virus is mostly spread through respiratory droplets, which get into the air through sneezing and coughing. The droplets then find their way into the body of an uninfected person may lead to infection and symptoms. Avoiding crowded areas and maintaining distance from other individuals are thus necessary precautions that help minimize the spread of the virus.
People are also being urged to stay at home and only travel when absolutely necessary. Where possible, individuals should work from home or take paid or unpaid leave until the situation is under control. As many countries are struggling to reduce the impacts of coronavirus on their health and economic systems so governments have taken drastic measures to better protect their citizens against the pandemic. Most countries have limited their citizens travel and are enforcing quarantine of infected people.. As the global number of fatalities and infections rise alarmingly, citizens in many places have found themselves under stringent conditions of curfews and even total lockdowns.
According to statistics, a major portion of the global death toll is older people and they are certainly the most vulnerable group. Others who have been severely affected are those with certain underlying medical conditions such as:
- asthma
- chronic lung disease
- serious heart conditions
- undergoing cancer treatment
- history of smoking
- previous bone marrow or organ transplant
- prolonged use of corticosteroids
- severe obesity
- diabetes
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease
- those who are immunocompromised
Surprisingly, COVID-19 is relatively mild in children and infants.
Coronavirus and Short-Term Disability
If diagnosed and found sick or unable to perform their normal work duties due to coronavirus illness, people who are covered by a Short Term Disability plan are eligible for benefits. These short-term benefits may be accessed through private purchase or employers. Individuals should review their insurance coverage to see if they qualify for such benefits. In the event a policyholder acquires a medical condition or disability that prevents them from working, short term disability insurance generally provides up to 80 percent of their gross income. People diagnosed with COVID-19 can apply for Short-Term Disability if they are not able to work because of their illness or if they are required to quarantine..
Coronavirus and Long-Term Disability
In long term disability insurance, benefits are paid if and only if you have been living with a disability or medical condition for a long time. Unless you develop a chronic illness as a result of coronavirus infection, you are not likely to be eligible for long term benefits due to COVID-19. Medical quarantine also qualifies for the criteria of inability to work due to infection with the virus. It is necessary, however, to draw a line between social quarantine and medical quarantine. Working from home (social isolation) does not qualify under medical quarantine, which is recognized by insurance policies.
Social Security Disability and Coronavirus
The long-term health effects of COVID-19 are still unknown. However, many diseases leave people with lasting limitations in their functioning and can impact their ability to work long-term. Social Security disability benefits are available to those who are unable to work for at least 12 months because of a medically determinable impairment. If you are permanently limited by a coronavirus infection in a way that leaves you unable to work for at least twelve months, you could qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, if your symptoms last less than 12 months you are not likely to be eligible even if you are hospitalized for an extended time.
Social Security Operations During the Pandemic
The effects of coronavirus are far-reaching and can be felt in almost every aspect of our lives. Millions of American businesses have been forced to close their doors, and citizens asked to stay at home. With the economy at such a standstill, many elderly and disabled citizens depend on Social Security benefits to make ends meet. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has indicated that it will continue operating normally amidst the epidemic. While many employees are working from home, the Social Security Administration is still processing new applications, disability appeals, and issuing checks, among its other normal operations. While things are moving more slowly, Social Security is still working.
Retirees and those on disability will receive their normal benefit amounts at their normal payment intervals. However, SSA has said that people should contact the agency through its online resources at www.ssa.gov or by telephone because its field offices are closed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Also, the SSA has extended submission deadlines, and several other services have been postponed. Hopefully, SSA will be back to normal operations soon, but in the meantime, follow the recommendations for social distancing and stay healthy.
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