If anyone remembers the Monday before the end of school, it was made of moments of anxiety, wonderings, worries and of course discussion regarding spring break and the rest of the school year. Now, as students and faculty prepare to transition to online learning the reality has truly settled in. The COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and despite all the conspiracies on how it came about, it is here and has deeply impacted our daily lives. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80% recover from coronavirus without needing special treatment, and around 1 out of every six people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
Some news articles might use epidemic and pandemic interchangeably, but they are quite distinctly different. An epidemic is “a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected.” A pandemic “is the worldwide spread of a new disease that affects large numbers of people. “ The most significant distinction is that an epidemic does not have to be a new disease, just a higher volume of diagnoses. A pandemic is the spread of a new virus which is quite frightening since there is not a cure.
Considering how dizzying the constant news coverage is, one may feel disillusioned as to how many people are currently affected by the coronavirus. As of March 2nd, there have been 90,308 reported cases, 3,097 deaths, and 45,726 recoveries. About 2% of people with the disease have died, and they are either those who are already extremely ill or have no access to healthcare. The highest concentration of cases has been in China, with around 80,000 reported cases. Following China is South Korea with 4,335, Italy with 2,036 and Iran with 1,501. There are 73 other countries and one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan) that range from several hundred reported cases to less than 50 cases.
Now, one may wonder what this means for travel. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has imposed a level three threat and travel restrictions on China and Iran. A level three threat means that travelers must avoid all “nonessential” travel, and entry of foreign nationals from these countries has been suspended. Concerning South Korea, Italy, and Japan, the CDC recommends that travelers avoid all “nonessential” travel. Every other country has no travel restrictions imposed but expects to see public health precautions being taken at airports.
While some people may choose to prepare for an apocalypse as a way to protect themselves from coronavirus, there are some pretty simple ways to prevent contracting the disease. A basic method is to regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with a hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water. Stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. STAY HOME IF YOU’RE NOT FEELING WELL! This could not be stressed enough. No assignment is worth putting yourself and others at risk. Lastly, stay informed about updates regarding coronavirus. Make sure to double-check your sources and consult your doctor to make sure your information is accurate. By following these methods and not traveling to any concerning countries, one can be sure to pass through this pandemic unharmed!
