What is COVID-19?
A Scientific Rundown.
What is a coronavirus? It is a type of virus. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. We are dealing with COVID-19, a new novel coronavirus - a strain of coronavirus that had not previously been identified. Why is it called COVID-19? On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China (my parent's hometown ps. my grandparents are okay). The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.
Coronaviruses cause a range of illness, including the common cold. Many types of human coronavirus exist and can cause respiratory illness. However, COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus and is far different from the typical communicable disease. Symptoms vary between individuals from no symptoms to mild to severe illness and typically appear within 2-14 days of exposure to the virus. COVID-19 is spread throughout the world and there is currently no vaccine. You can become infected from respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. You may also contract it by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may have a higher risk for severe illness. But ultimately, everyone is at risk of getting COVID-19.
Info taken from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Basics
Coronaviruses cause a range of illness, including the common cold. Many types of human coronavirus exist and can cause respiratory illness. However, COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus and is far different from the typical communicable disease. Symptoms vary between individuals from no symptoms to mild to severe illness and typically appear within 2-14 days of exposure to the virus. COVID-19 is spread throughout the world and there is currently no vaccine. You can become infected from respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. You may also contract it by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may have a higher risk for severe illness. But ultimately, everyone is at risk of getting COVID-19.
Info taken from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Basics
What is COVID-19?
A Statistical Rundown.
One of the best ways to better understand COVID-19 is to closely follow news and track updates about COVID-19. Endless research is being done each day to track the COVID-19 spread and understanding the spread helps us to understand the safety of the population and what methods are effective at stopping the spread.
DELTA VARIANT
The delta variant of COVID-19 has been making waves worldwide, hitting the U.S. especially hard. It is a strain that spreads much faster than the other variants, and can also cause more severe cases. The majority of cases are those who have not been fully vaccinated, however there is evidence to suggest that even fully vaccinated individuals are capable of spreading the variant.
History of Covid-19
https://www.who.int/news/item/29-06-2020-covidtimeline
A brief history can be found by the WHO in this link above. A timeline will soon be available on our page. Thank you for your patience.
A brief history can be found by the WHO in this link above. A timeline will soon be available on our page. Thank you for your patience.
Internationally:
Covid-19 was first found in China, but quickly spread throughout the world. In the months following the first discovery in China, countries from all over the world discovered cases of covid-19 within its populations. Covid-19 cases have been reported in 188 countries. Only a handful of countries or territories have reported no cases. Although, it is important to note that no reported cases is not symbolic of there actually being no people with covid-19 in that area or country. Many countries still lack sufficient resources for safe and wide-spread testing. Johns Hopkins University has reported that 10.8 million people have been infected, the global death toll is more than 521,000 and more than 5.7 million patients have recovered.
To view an updated tracker of covid-19 internationally view this link: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
Information from: Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center and https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/countries-reported-coronavirus-cases-200412093314762.html
Why was Asia Successful in Containing Covid
Asia was the first region of the world hit by Covid-19 after originating and spreading from Wuhan, China. In the early months of January, and February, many other regions of the world watched as Covid spread throughout Asia. Gradually, as other countries began entering lockdown, Asia emerged from it. Here's why many East Asian countries were successful at combatting Covid in a timely manner.
Asia was the first region of the world hit by Covid-19 after originating and spreading from Wuhan, China. In the early months of January, and February, many other regions of the world watched as Covid spread throughout Asia. Gradually, as other countries began entering lockdown, Asia emerged from it. Here's why many East Asian countries were successful at combatting Covid in a timely manner.
Taiwan has been one of the most successful Asian countries in combatting covid-19. This is due to multiple factors such as widespread mask wearing and successful social distancing measures. To hear more listen to an interview with Taiwan's Vice President and epidemiologist, Chen Chien-jen.
Why The Fight is Still Not Over
Many countries are beginning to face second waves of Covid-19. This proves that even with carefully planned and successful reopening, the pandemic is still not completely over and countries can still be vulnerable. Here's what countries are doing in the face of resurgences.
The United States: |
burn the country down. thats all. #allcountriesmatter
No seriously, more information to come. Thank you for your patience.
No seriously, more information to come. Thank you for your patience.
How does COVID-19
Relate to the BLM Movement?
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Photos from @superbug.hunter on Instagram
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Photos from @madebykatrina on Instagram
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Linda Rae Murray, MD, MPH discusses topics in health equity with JAMA Medical News Associate Managing Editor Jennifer Abbasi. Recorded on June 19, 2020.
Dr. Murray talks about the overlap of many social and economic issues in the United States particularly how job type, living situation, and other factors relating to class and commonly to race as well have led to the health inequities that we are seeing become more prevalent in the face of the current pandemic.
Dr. Murray talks about the overlap of many social and economic issues in the United States particularly how job type, living situation, and other factors relating to class and commonly to race as well have led to the health inequities that we are seeing become more prevalent in the face of the current pandemic.
What Can I Do?
&
What Should I Do?
Get Vaccinated.
COVID Vaccines are meant to help protect against the virus and prevent severe cases and deaths, as well as help lower the spreading of the virus. There have been three major vaccines that have been authorized in the U.S.: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson. It is crucial that all people who are able to receive any version of the COVID vaccine partake in order to help stop the spread of the virus. Most states have made them readily available and accessible, as well as providing incentives.
Stay Home.
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Reopening ≠ Safety
As states gradually begin implementing reopening policies for businesses and public spaces, it's important to understand the facts and consequences to these policies.
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Picture and more info can be found here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/09/us/coronavirus-cases-reopening-trends.html
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Picture Courtesy of Taylor Harris
a sticker of this is available for purchase :) Masks will slow down the spread of covid-19 and help countries safely emerge from lockdown and quarantine. Below is an imagine comparison between countries that either required masks or had a large population that wore masks.
Image from @jperla on Twitter, Information gathered from Johns Hopkins University.
Gradually states across the USA are beginning to implement laws that require citizens to wear masks in public places. It's important to stay updated on laws in the area you live. Regardless of whether it is mandatory however, the CDC urges everyone to wear a mask and there is heavy research that shows masks are effective.
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Wear A D*mn Mask. At all times.Wearing a mask at this time is crucial to the health of you individually and the general public. It's important to understand: why wearing a face mask is necessary; what can be done in the case where a face mask is not available/can't be worn; what are the different types of face masks; the importance of wearing a face mask for the general population.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-Coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks?gclid=Cj0KCQjwoaz3BRDnARIsAF1RfLeXA7rGCC76icxeMgAJcxK2Xe6a9Cfv_CPD_eK9dJP3GdlVd-e6WX0aAiceEALw_wcB To better understand the facts and myths of wearing a mask and overall the spread of covid-19 refer to:https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Not all face masks or coverings are the same. To stay well protected it's important to know the difference between different types of masks. If you opt for cloth masks it's also crucial to use filters!
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All states in red are states with laws requiring masks be worn. For more info: https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/19/us/states-face-mask-coronavirus-trnd/index.html
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Stay Aware and GO VOTE.
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It is more important than ever to stay up to date on news and exercise your voting rights. Currently, all information about Covid-19 will now be reported directly to the HHS and The White House Coranavirus Task Force rather than the CDC. Remember, who you vote into office makes a huge impact on policies that directly affect YOUR health.
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--> Register to Vote: https://turbovote.org/
-->Voting Information by State: https://www.vote411.org/ |
When is a pandemic over? by Ted Talk
Explore the three strategies governments and communities can use to contain and end a pandemic, and find out which method is best.
Donate!
Donations are crucial to a community's effort in combating the spread of coronavirus. There are many different organizations and causes to donate to whether it be organizations that are funding research, or donations for healthcare workers' medical supplies, or to groups directly harmed by corona virus. Our group, SSS, focuses on organizations that aid minority groups that have been directly affected by covid-19. Please consider either directly donating to these organizations or buying our stickers. 100% of the profits from these stickers are donated to the organizations currently listed under the "Fundraiser" page.
