Covid-19: A Potent Coronavirus Ravaging the World - Essay Sample

Introduction

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses, that cause illnesses that vary from the mild common cold to more potent diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(Chan, et al.). Covid-19 is the latest coronavirus to ravage the world. These infections move from animals to human beings. Symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath.

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Scientists believe that Covid-19 is fatal, especially among elderly patients and people with a weak immune system. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 3.4% of Covid-19 patients have passed away around the world. Patients above 80 years have a fatality rate of 15%. The Covid-19 virus takes days to weeks before it manifests itself in the human body. Therefore, infection numbers are likely to increase over time, coupled with the introduction of more efficient diagnosis methods.

Coronavirus is deadly due to its fast rate of transmission among humans. In Wuhan, the ground zero for the disease, and the overwhelmed medical system that was slow to respond to the outbreak led to high infection numbers. Therefore, an efficient medical system is vital to combat the disease. However, not many countries can build a hospital in days as china did.

The outbreak has brought the global economy to a standstill as countries shut their bodies, companies close down, and people avoid going out f their houses in fear of getting infections. In addition to the economy, social events such as sports gatherings are on hold to tame the spread of the disease. This outbreak is affecting the human way of life in unprecedented ways. Hence the need to carry out research on its effects.

Through this study, the researcher hopes to facilitate understanding of the coronavirus, increase public awareness of the disease, dispel myths, and assumptions surrounding the illness.

Research Aims

• To find medical evidence regarding the mortality rates and people at risk.
• To what extent is the American medical system ready to combat the infections.
• To find the factors that promote the spread of the disease.
• To find awareness levels between the citizens.
• To find the social, political, and economic costs of the disease.

Objectives

• To synthesis existing medical research on the coronavirus.
• To find the level of preparedness of the American medical system.
• To analyze the predisposing factors of the coronavirus.
• Gauge citizen awareness of the disease.
• Offer information on the cost of the pandemic.

Literature Review

Mortality Rates Due to Coronavirus

According to the World Health Organization, 3.4% of coronavirus patients worldwide have passed away globally. Of seventy-two thousand confirmed cases of coronavirus in the city of Wuhan, 2.3% of them have passed away. The most affected age group was patients above 80 years who had a 15% mortality rate. People follow this age group closely between 70-79 years, who have an 8% mortality rate (World Health Organisation). As of March 4, Italy, the most affected European country has 52 deaths due to the disease. All these victims were older than 60 years.

Mortality rates also depend on the ability of the medical system to combat the outbreaks. Countries with inadequate medical systems are likely to experience high mortality rates. According to the World Health Organisation, of 56,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, the mortality rate stood at 3.8 % (World Health Organisation). However, Wuhan had a fatality rate of 5.8% as patients overwhelmed the medical facilities. The rest of the Chinese state had a mortality rate of less than 1% because the medical facilities witnessed less traffic(World Health Organisation).

Preparedness Levels of America to Deal With the Coronavirus

In 2005, the American government sought to prepare for a respiratory disease outbreak. Through its report, it recommends that the country should have 740,000 ventilators for critically ill patients; however, as the coronavirus hits the American shores, less than 62,000 ventilators are available(Henry). To mitigate the spread of the virus, the Centre for Disease Control has taken an all community approach. These guidelines cover homes, schools, and places of work, schools, hospitals, and homeless shelters. The CDC is also encouraging citizens to wash their hands regularly and keep safe distances to avoid coming into contact with the virus. The CDC is relying on the media to inform citizens of the disease, how to take care of themselves, and symptoms.

Factors That Promote the Spread of the Coronavirus

High population mobility: china has grown to become an essential economic and tourism hub globally. Due to this growth, it experiences high visitor numbers(Coker, et al.). These numbers cud have contributed to the spread of the disease. It is challenging to trace cross border infections. This is especially so because, at the beginning of the pandemic in China, there was little information on disease. Therefore, it is plausible that some visitors left china before the virus had become an epidemic. Transmission is likely to increase as people escape the pandemic. As people move to areas with low infection, rates they are likely to ignite the transmission chains hence introducing the virus in the new areas.

Inadequate health facilities: the disease requires early diagnosis and prescription of treatment for a patient to recover. However, as infection numbers rise, health service providers will experience more pressure. As the flexibility of physicians decreases, the disease will spread faster. The condition requires specialized testing kits and medical devices, which may not be available in developing countries. These countries have difficulties managing single outbreaks; therefore, the coronavirus may cause devastating effects.

How Aware Are Americans of Coronavirus

The population is aware of the coronavirus. According to the Kaiser Foundation tracking poll of February, 56% of the respondents had read about the disease, with 87% of the respondents aware that the virus had reached American shores(Munana et al.). Adults below 50 years are less likely to seek information on the spread of the disease. 66%, of the polled individuals who had a college degree and higher level of education, indicated they were aware of the condition. 50% of people with less than a degree reported being aware of the disease(Munana et al.). This report indicates that education levels and age affect awareness of a population to diseases (Collins et al.). The majority of the polled individuals suggest that they are concerned about the effect the virus will have on the economy, with a similar number fearing an epidemic within the American borders. Less than 50% of the respondents fear that the infection will affect a family member, with the majority of them being from low-income homes. Seven in ten of the respondents were okay with the government's efforts to combat the disease. The government efforts have support across the political spectrum, with 60% of Democrats and 80% of Republicans supporting the government. However, according to the poll, few Americans have taken personal precautions to protect themselves from the virus, with just 13% of the respondents canceling travel plans because of the disease.

Cost of the Coronavirus:

The coronavirus has spread to over sixty countries across the globe. As the pandemic gets worse, it has left its mark on all spheres of human life. The following are some of the effects and costs of the disease.

Politically: in China, a lackluster response by the communist party of china in some areas has led to protests. As a consequence, of the demonstrations, which are rare in China, several administrators left their positions. Protests in regions such as Hong Kong and Taiwan, which had political conflicts with mainland china before the outbreak, have been on the rise. This response is because, fewer officials are moving from mainland china to these areas. Taiwan is also against blanket travel bans by the Chinese government that might include them as it argues that it is an independent state.

Economic effect: Covid-19 has led to shut down of industries and offices. Governments have put in place travel bans and quarantines hence affecting global movements. On February 28, the Governor of the Bank of England stated that low tourist numbers and industrial supply imports were hurting the British economy (Amaro). The Federal Reserve chairperson and Governor of the bank of Japan have given similar warnings. As the pandemic sweeps across the world, stock prices are tumbling. As economies grind to a standstill, governments are reorganizing their budgets and put in place stimulus plans to keep the economy fluid. Low demand for travel has resulted in less demand for oil, hence causing a fall in oil prices. 2020 will experience the least oil demand since 2011(Lin and Xie).

Social effects: coronavirus has led to postponement and canceling of some sporting activities. For example, the Italian football league, Europa League, and the National Basketball Association are on hold. The entertainment industry has had disruptions with shooting and premiere of movies put on hold. Entertainment festivals such as the Coachella Festival are on hold.

As the pandemic persists, necessary cultural acts such as greetings and personal spaces will change. People are likely to avoid handshakes and standing close to each other to prevent infections. There is a likelihood of more employees working from as compared t before. Disruption of supply chains is likely to destabilize the global market.

Research Gap

As the virus ravages the globe, Africa has few cases in comparison to the rest of the world. In recent years, African countries have been working closely with China, with flights between Africa and china increasing overtime. Various theories try to explain this phenomenon. For example, there were suggestions that there has been an exaggeration of the amount of contact between China and Africa.

On the other hand, some scientists believe the African climate is not ideal for the development and spread of the Covid-19,

How to Mitigate the Research Gap:

The research will focus on European, Asian, and American markets. However, as the disease spreads, reliable information on the state of the African economy will become available.

Conclusion

The world will have to come together to collaborate to combat the coronavirus. The disease has the potential to alter the lifestyle of humans negatively.

Works Cited

Amaro, Silvia. "Coronavirus is Already Impacting the UK Economy, Bank of England's Carney Says." CNBC, February 28. 2020, www.cnbc.com/2020/02/28/coronavirus-is-impacting-the-uk-economy-bank-of-england-mark-carney-says.html.

Chan, Jasper F., et al. "Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus: Another Zoonotic Betacoronavirus Causing SARS-Like Disease." Clinical Microbiology Reviews, vol. 28, no. 2, 2015, pp. 465-522.

Coker, Richard J., et al. "Emerging infectious diseases in southeast Asia: regional challenges to control." The Lancet, vol. 377, no. 9765, 2011, pp. 599-609.

Collins, Kristina M., et al. "Heart Disease Awareness Among College Students." Journal of Community Health, vol. 29, no. 5, 2004, pp. 405-420.

Henry, B. "Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Communications strategy." Canada Communicable Disease Report, vol. 44, no. 5, 2018, pp. 106-109.

Lin, Boqiang, and Chunping Xie. "Estimation on oil demand and oil saving potential of China's road transport sector." Energy Policy, vol. 61, 2013, pp. 472-482.

Munana, Cailey, et al. "The Public's Awareness Of and Concerns About Coronavirus." Global Health Policy, February 25. 2020.

World Health Organisation. "Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)." WHO | World Health Organization, www.who....