Introduction
A coronavirus is a common virus that China has hidden from public around December 2019. The virus causes infections around your nose, sinuses, your throat and some asbestos like symptoms. Currently, the virus is still undergoing research and information stated in this report may deem outdated in the future. After the recent outbreak in Wuhan, China, it gained attention as a “terrifying and life-threatening” disease. However, the virus isn’t what people think it is. This report will explore the relations of the coronavirus to the SHE concepts for this topic, which are ‘Applications and Limitations’, and ‘Influence’.
Scientific Background
At the time of this writing, there are almost over 784,381 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the world, and more than 37,8780 deaths around the world according to worldmeters.info
The coronavirus is a zoonotic illness, meaning that it spreads through animals and humans and is transmitted that way. Although there are no known animal cases on COVID-19, Pangolins are being blamed as potential virus hosts. This statement however isn’t scientifically proven, but a few independent scientists believe its possible. Past coronaviruses however came from animals, examples are MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) which came from camels, and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) came from civet cats. The most known way it is spread through is through human contact and respiratory droplets (talking, coughing, sneezing, etc.), so people are encouraged to always keep safe by using face masks and to keep good hygiene by making sure to wash hands and body thoroughly.
If however a person is infected, symptoms may vary. Although anyone with the virus will be quarantined whether they like it or not, some infected may not show any symptoms at all, but others may show severe symptoms, maybe even dying due to the virus, hence the rising death toll. If a person were to have a very weak immune system, the risk of having severe symptoms are higher.
According to WHO, signs of the virus may include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughing, shortness of breath and difficulty to breathe. In the more severe cases, infections may pave way to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and unfortunately, even death.
SHE concepts
Application and Limitation
Currently, at the time of this report (March 2020), there is no cure found or discovered in order to withstand against the recent virus, COVID-19. The work and research for a cure still continues, but numerous articles are talking about numerous drugs and medicines used for other illnesses that also are effective on COVID-19. In an article, according to 7news, Infectious Disease Physician Professor David Paterson has said that his team has used two existing drugs to successfully deactivate the virus in test tube studies. One of the medication treats malaria, whilst the other medication treats HIV. 50 hospitals in Australia will be testing these on patients, and if approved, will be tested if it is more effective individually or together.
Whilst the search for a cure is ongoing, WHO (World Health Organisation) has given procedures on how to prevent getting the virus, such as the proper way to hand wash, and ways to self-isolate during these times. It is heavily encouraged for people, as early as now, to start taking measures into preventing the virus getting into their system. According to Australia’s Department of Health, it is also encouraged to have social distancing, being at least more than 1.5 metres away from people, avoiding any contact with anyone. But if you are with loved ones, it is encouraged not to have handshakes or kisses, for the disease travels from one person to another through different types of contact. Contact may include direct person to person touching, and also touching contaminated surfaces like door knobs or tables, and then touching your head or face.
Other ways of prevention that is currently happening throughout the world is the shutting down of schools and workplaces. For schools getting shut down, students are required to stay at home and instead attend online lectures and receive work online through their teachers’ way of contacting them. For workplaces, if applicable, workers may be able to work in their homes if their work only involves activity in a computer or they may bring their documents form work into their homes, but any other job, worst case scenario, they might have to be on leave until further notice. Some other countries affected have workers take unpaid leaves, but it may depend on the workplace and/or government.
Influence
When COVID-19 went viral around the world, it affected society in numerous ways. After the virus started in Wuhan, China, perception of the country and its’ people has changed, to the point where racism was involved against people of Asian ethnicity, most notably the Chinese. It truly shocked the whole world, and people were very desperate for solutions. People have fear of this virus, and because of it, have led to numerous rumours about the virus, and because of their fear, it has made people more easily convinced of any fake news or rumours. One example was the numerous death of pets in China. In an article by 7news, the COVID-19 rumour that pets are carriers of the disease has resulted in the numerous death of pets, their bodies being found on the street near houses. Pets were being thrown out of windows from high apartment floors, due to the fear that people felt of the illness. During the time of the article, there was no proven evidence that pets are carriers of the illness, and it was purely only a false rumour.
After COVID-19 travelled out of China and got to other countries, even outside of Asia, it has resulted in people not leaving their homes, and panic buying has occurred. Toilet paper and hand sanitisers have been flying off shelves, and therefore resulting in these products going out of stock. Although in the early days of COVID-19, jokes were made about it, due to the virus’ alarming rate of spreading across the world, people have started to take it seriously, especially since even celebrities have started contracting the disease. Numerous events sporting associations have shut down, such as the NBA cancelling their season due to Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell contracting the disease.
Since the world is desperate for a solution, people look to the media and social platforms for news and updates, but little do they know that some information may be considered false or fake news, but due to the desperation and fear for people’s lives, false articles are easily believed in.
Conclusion
In conclusion, COVID-19 is the most recent coronavirus today, and is also currently the most viral and popular amongst the other coronaviruses. The most known way of transmitting the disease is direct contact with people and being in contact with respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing, talking, etc.) Symptoms may include fever, coughing, shortness of breath and difficulty to breathe. Other worsening cases may include pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), kidney failure, and even death. Young to middle aged people can handle COVID-19 just fine, but the virus tends to target the elderly and even infants, those with weaker immune systems. Although a cure is still in search, WHO and Australia’s Department of Health has given information about ways of preventing the virus from transmitting to you, and from you to other people. Due to COVID-19 spreading at an alarming rate, people have been in fear and in desperate needs of a solution, but this reaction to the virus has paved way for people to take advantage of them, spreading false rumours and fake news.