Coronavirus

Coronavirus according to the CDC is a respiratory illness caused by the virus 2019-nCOV that was first detected in Wuhan, China. There is still some confusion as to where and how the virus came about. Many connect it to a large seafood/meat market whereas others have been said to have had no connection with a meat market of any kind. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that come from specific animals, therefore it is a zoonosis because it can be spread from animals to affect humans.

The symptoms of the virus seem agree with general malaise. There are associated fevers, cough and shortness of breath as it is a respiratory infection. The CDC currently believes that symptoms of 2019-nCoV may appear within 48 hours to two weeks after exposure.  The transmission of the virus is solely through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or any other droplet transmission.

To prevent coronavirus, there is only a few mechanisms that work. These include washing hands with soap and water, using hand sanitizers, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth, avoid contact with those who are sick, stay home when you are sick, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze, and clean and disinfect surfaces frequently.

Because coronavirus is a virus, there is no “cure” for it. Currently there are no antiviral medications that work effectively against the infection. Patients can only be offered supportive care if infected.  Webmd , suggest that the elderly are even more susceptible to the virus and the secondary infections that it can cause. One of the most common infections that people are dying of due to the virus is pneumonia.

As a young person and an American, I am honestly much less worried about the coronavirus than I’m sure many others are.  ScienceNews states that only three countries, Vietnam, Germany and the United States have reported to human to human transmission. There have only been a few reported cases in America, travel to and from China has been shut down, and most people in American are not living in the deplorable conditions that other do. We have regulations on almost everything here in America. However, what does concern me is the blatant racism that comes along with a virus like this. Many people have posted meme’s regarding coronavirus, insinuating that Chinese people are susceptible to the disease because they eat “weird” foods and they are unsanitary. Which is quite ironic coming from the descendants of the same people who got the Black Plague and almost got eradicated from the earth because they lived with rats and didn’t wash their ass cracks. But hey, shame other cultures for being “dirty” and “uncivilized”.

The only way to beat this virus is to get ahead of it. Because it’s a virus. We all must take precautions in the coming months to protect ourselves through the simple measures stated by the CDC and Webmd. Please wash your hands. And shower everyday cause some of yall stink. Stay safe.