PANDEMIC: The coronavirus is drastically changing the lives of people all over the world.
By Crystal Hsueh, Editor
First identified in Wuhan City, China, COVID-19, more commonly known as the 2019 novel coronavirus, caused an outbreak of illness and hysteria across the globe. While the disease is still being researched, the duration of the outbreak, as well as a potential cure, remains a mystery. People all around the world have been in a panic and trying to find any form of heartening information to put the public at ease. Although the internet can be a valuable source of information, many of the “facts” circulating the web have been exaggerated and galvanized. Here’s what we know for sure:
WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS AND HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
While this may be the first time people are hearing about the coronavirus, forms of this virus have been around for a very long time, in many different strands. COVID-19 is a newly identified virus that originated in Wuhan, China. The disease is transmitted from person to person, and, roughly four months after its discovery, has travelled throughout eastern and central China to over 100 other countries. This upper respiratory disease seems to be highly contagious, which is why cases of the virus have grown exponentially. The severity of the symptoms are still not yet fully known, as new information emerges every day. Although most COVID-19 cases are mild, with the virus presenting itself with similar symptoms to the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), serious illness only occurs in approximately 16% of the cases as older patients and immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to severe symptoms.
HOW TO PREVENT CORONAVIRUS
As the coronavirus continues to spread, stores have been cleared of hand sanitizer, toilet paper, face masks, and other hygienic products as people have been stocking up to protect themselves from the disease. People are seen in the streets and on public transportation wearing face masks or covering their mouths with scarves and other items of clothing to avoid contagion. Although the CDC stated in the beginning of the outbreak, “You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms,” they are beginning to reevaluate their guidance as it is estimated that 25% of those spreading the virus are not showing symptoms. However, it is still important to note that there is now a worldwide shortage of masks, taking a precious resource away from caretakers, doctors, and those who are actually infected. The most effective ways to prevent the coronavirus are to “frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least one meter from people who are coughing or sneezing” (World Health Organization).
DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT IS SAID ONLINE
Though COVID-19 is new and frightening, information that has been circulating the internet can lead to false understandings of the virus. For example, there is no evidence that the 2019 novel coronavirus was created in a lab, as many people online have speculated. COVID-19, more specifically named SARS-CoV-2, closely resembles two other coronaviruses, both of which have caused outbreaks in the past few decades and spread from animals to people. Additionally, although the virus originated in China, not all Chinese or Asian people carry the illness and it cannot spread from eating Chinese food. Viruses are not partial to certain ethnicities and are not restricted by borders. There have been multiple instances where Asians have been attacked and injured because the public has associated COVID-19 with China and Asian American communities, with much of the stigma emerging from President Trump calling the disease “the Chinese virus.” In a time of fear and uncertainty, it is crucial that society does not discriminate against any race or ethnicity.
Most importantly, contracting this new strain of coronavirus is not a death sentence. Because the media tends to focus on facts that shock and scare the public, such as a rising death toll, they frequently ignore another rising number: the total recoveries. According to statistics provided by The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, at the time this is being written there have been approximately 170,000 recoveries from the coronavirus across the globe. In order to become well informed on COVID-19, it is best to avoid reading news off of social media. Organizations such as the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) provide reliable and frequently updated information that is not exaggerated or falsified.
WHAT TO DO
COVID-2019 has caused government enforced quarantine, suspension of travel to certain countries, and schools and universities to turn to online education. During the month of March, many states have issued self-quarantine and encouraged social-distancing. According to Dr. Lisa Maragakis, senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins, “Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.” This means working from home, not having any visitors, and not leaving the house unless absolutely necessary. It is important that the public complies with the rules of social distancing to prevent the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed and essential resources, such as ventilators, from becoming depleted. This is also known as “flattening the curve,” meaning reducing the exponential increase of cases.
The coronavirus has caused a great frenzy around the world; and though concern is warranted, it is easy for speculation and panic to go too far. While it is important to keep oneself safe and healthy, it is also important to remember what the coronavirus actually is and to remain well-informed in order to avoid unnecessary discrimation and hysteria. The best thing for each person to do at this moment is to stay inside, practice social distancing, and do their part in flattening the curve.
Information within this article may be outdated, please click the link below to find up to date information on COVID-19 and safety measures: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html