March 29, 2020
By: Haris Ahmad[1]
We, humans, have collectively caused damage to the equilibrium of nature through all kinds of means including wars, deforestation and many other things; now, in my opinion, nature is taking its revenge. However, there is still a great opportunity for us to stabilize our lives by saying no to wars, genocides and innocent killings of not only humans but also animals. Nature has given us a head start in doing so.
What is Covid-19?
Covid-19 is part of a large group of viruses (The Coronaviruses) that infect both humans as well as animals; hence, they cause respiratory illnesses in a human that can range from common colds to serious diseases. Before Corona, a very likely virus known as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was detected in Southern China in 2002 and just like Covid-19 it spread around the world affecting 26 countries resulting in 8,000 confirmed cases; consequently, leading to 774 deaths. However, the tolls of cases and deaths due to the Covid-19 have surpassed SARS.
Covid-19 is also known as the coronavirus however; a more specific name for Covid-19 is Sars CoV-2. The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are dry cough and fever but, in some cases, it can also lead to a severe respiratory problem leading to pneumonia and bronchitis. Covid-19 can only lead people with existing illnesses or a weak immune system to these severe limits. Hence, old people are the most vulnerable to these severe respiratory diseases. Moreover, research on the early 44,415 Chinese Coronavirus patients showed that 81 percent of people affected only experienced mild symptoms. Among the remaining cases, 14 percent experienced severe respiratory illnesses. Only 2.3 percent of all the confirmed cases died due to the virus.
How Far has Corona Spread?
Till March 11, Chinese health authorities have recorded over 81,102 cases and 3,231 deaths. China has now slowed down the spread of the virus in their country due to strict preventive measures but the virus is now heavily affecting the rest of the world.
Currently, there are confirmed cases in over 150 countries around the globe. After China, the most affected country is Italy where 97,689 cases have been reported, mostly in the northern regions of the country. Consequently, 10,779 deaths have been reported in Italy.
Furthermore, Spain has also been greatly affected by the virus and 78,799 cases have been reported leading to 6,606 deaths. The Government is taking all the necessary steps to prevent the virus to spread even further. All schools, restaurants, markets, and bars have been closed.
Moreover, Iran is also facing a huge number of confirmed cases due to the virus and 38,309 cases have been reported leading to 2,640 deaths.
The USA has also been affected largely with 133,094 cases and 2,363 deaths.
How did all this start and where exactly?
As many of you probably already know that this virus originates from a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Wild animals such as snakes and birds are illegally traded in this city.
 |
Most probably, this disease has been spread from an infected animal to the stall keepers and then to the customers.
The research on what caused this virus is still on and many countries are working hard to find the cause as well as a vaccine for the virus so that in the future, the virus is prevented.
The markets in Wuhan were shut down for research and cleaning on 1st January. The chances of containing the disease have greatly deteriorated due to the spread around the world. Hence, scientists are trying their best to contain the virus as much as possible. Many of the governments of countries have shut down schools, restaurants and any other work that requires going out of the home. In my country, Pakistan, schools have been closed till 1st June to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Overview
Corona has greatly spread all around the world; there have been 708,020 total confirmed cases and 33,529 deaths. On March 11, the WHO (World Health Organization) had officially declared that the Corona virus is a pandemic. Moreover, on 30th January the WHO had already classified this problem as a global emergency; thus, all of the countries have to work together to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading any further. The speed of the spread has been reduced however; it has not yet stopped. We should all work together and cooperate with our leadership. Please report to the nearest hospital if you experience any symptoms of the virus. Please try not to go outside your houses unless it is urgent to do so. Wash your hands for 20 seconds to remove the virus from your hands if it has reached it.
Brilliant article containing needed information about this evil virus. We need more youngsters to come forward and spread awareness. Bravo Haris Ahmad; Gran Kaliwal.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback Sir.
Delete