Perspectives: Fear of the Corona Virus Sweeps The Nation

Isabelle Hanlon ‘21 and Emma Villaverde ‘20, Social Media Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief

In recent months, news has spread like wildfire regarding a disease known as the Coronavirus that has struck several Chinese cities and islands, and is now active throughout the world. The disease is believed to have originated by animals, such as camels and bats, in Wuhan, China. Those working with the infected animals can contract the disease, and ultimately spread it to other humans.

Symptoms of the disease can be mistaken for those of a common cold or the flu, but if not treated in time, the Coronavirus can result in kidney failure, pneumonia, and even death. Each country throughout the world has taken significant precautions and action plans in hopes of slowing down the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Coronavirus was first noticed in humans this past December in Wuhan, a city in southeastern China. The market that was believed to be the center of the disease’s transmit, has since been closed, yet more and more people are being diagnosed everyday.

According to John Hopkins University, there are 113,584 confirmed cases and 3,996 throughout the world.* Chinese and other officials throughout the world have attempted to stop the rapid spread of the disease by shutting down major modes of societal life such as transit, subways, ferries, and markets. Italy has also taken serious actions by placing the whole country on lockdown with 60 million people. However, this has not restricted the spread such that the death rate and diagnosed cases are increasing by the minute. Countries such as Italy, South Korea, and Iran have experienced the greatest number of cases and death rates within the last month.

Currently in the United States there are now 607 cases and 26 deaths.* The first case in the United States was confirmed in Washington state after a man returned from the city of Wuhan extremely ill. Government officials have been debating on different means of preventing the spread of the disease from both within the States and across the nation’s borders. School districts have closed, some college classes have begun online, music festivals have been cancelled, and people have replaced handshakes with elbow bumps.

President Trump has signed an $8.3 billion emergency bill that will go towards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and more to help prevent, research, and control the disease. Other means of prevention include “quarantine stations” in public places such as airports or other places where a mass population of people would be passing through.

So how can we protect ourselves from the disease? A key component in preventing the disease is the same for the flu and other viruses: hand-washing! While the virus does spread at a quick rate, it is very important to frequently sanitize hands and surfaces and to keep hands away from the face. What makes the virus highly contagious is that most patients do not know they have the virus until about five days after the virus has entered the body. Within these five days however the disease is very contagious. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, common symptoms may include those of a common cold: runny nose, cough, and fever. However it is important to stay calm, take proper precautions, and not to panic.