When was the last time you washed your hands? If you had been asked that mere months ago, when the new coronavirus hadn’t yet started to spread, you’d probably have no clue. But these days, the answer is likely more retrievable. That’s because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists handwashing as one of the best ways for people to protect themselves from COVID-19. As the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. approaches 1,000, according to the CDC’s latest numbers on March 11, people’s handwashing fervor is also rising.
Scrubbing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is an effective way to remove dirt, bacteria and viruses. But it also strips your skin of natural oils, so if you’re following expert advice to prevent coronavirus, you probably have dry skin by now. TIME reporter Mahita Gajanan canvassed dermatologists for tips on how to best care for your skin in this new era, and found that curing parched hands isn’t as obvious as slapping on some body lotion. Instead, dermatologists recommend that people use a gentle, oil-based hand cream—thicker than lotion, which is usually water-based. Hand creams are more moisturizing, since lotions can actually dry out your hands once the water evaporates. “Both doctors I spoke with named Vaseline as the number-one choice,” Gajanan says. You might also consider using a humidifier to keep the air and your skin moist.
As for the state of her own over-washed hands, “they are not too bad,” Gajanan says. “But as of yesterday, I have been following a strict moisturizing regimen.” Read more here.
TODAY’S CORONAVIRUS OUTLOOK
By far the biggest news of the today was the World Health Organization’s decision to declare COVID-19 a pandemic. Though somewhat semantic, the declaration makes a major statement about how the world’s experts perceive the challenge ahead—the WHO last used the label during the 2009 H1N1 (or “swine flu”) outbreak.
“This is not just a public health crisis, it is a crisis that will touch every sector,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, at a media briefing. “So every sector and every individual must be involved in the fights.”
Meanwhile, events across the globe continue to be cancelled, and major universities everywhere are switching to online-only courses and, in the U.S., where many colleges are currently or about to be on spring break, many are urging students to not come back to campus when the vacation is over.
Here are all the countries that have reported at least one COVID-19 case as of last night:
Around the world, national leaders announced measures designed to stem the economic impact of the pandemic. The U.K. government promised a $39 billion stimulus package; Italy said it would spend $28 billion to deal with its coronavirus outbreak; and Israel announced a $2.8 billion spending plan.
Here are the 15 countries and territories with the most number of cases, as of last night:
All numbers are from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, and are accurate as of March 10, 7 PM eastern time.
WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Don’t Blame China. The Next Pandemic Could Come from Anywhere
The novel coronavirus is thought to have originated at a seafood wholesale market in Wuhan, China, but the next infectious disease could emerge anywhere in the world where humans come into contact with unfamiliar animals. Reporting from Bangkok, TIME East Asia correspondent Charlie Campbell visits a bustling Thai exotic pet market and explains how mixing with wildlife can threaten human health. Read more here.
States Need Medical Supplies to Fight Coronavirus. Can the National Stockpile Keep Up With Demand?
The Strategic National Stockpile—an “in case of emergency” government stash of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies including face masks, gowns, gloves and more—might not be enough to equip health care providers against the growing outbreak. TIME White House correspondent Tessa Berenson reports on how some states, including heavily hit Washington, are scrambling to procure enough supplies. Read more here.
The Coronavirus Is Starting to Spread Across Britain. Here’s What to Know
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all have multiple confirmed cases. Suyin Hayes, a London-based reporter for TIME, answers your burning questions about the virus outbreak in Britain. Read more here.
7-Eleven Owner Arrested After Selling ‘Dangerous’ Homemade Sanitizer
The owner of a 7-Eleven in New Jersey allegedly made and sold a “spray sanitizer” that burned children’s skin. Authorities believe that about 12 such bottles were sold at the store, according to TIME reporter Katie Reilly. Read more here.
What Makes Viruses Like COVID-19 Such a Risk for Human Beings? The Answer Goes Back Thousands of Years
COVID-19 may be caused by a novel coronavirus, but respiratory viruses are a feature of human history, writes Kyle Harper, a historian at the University of Oklahoma. That’s partly thanks to the longstanding human habit of empire-building; close quarters make the transmission of pathogens easy. Read more here.
Thanks for reading. We hope you find the Coronavirus Brief newsletter to be a helpful tool to navigate this very complex situation, and welcome feedback at coronavirus.brief@time.com.
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