Covid-19

Covid-19 seemed to rapidly grow overnight. One day I was coming home for spring break and the next day I am going to Chapel Hill to pack up my apartment. My school along with countless others have moved classes online and have cancelled all sporting events. I was sad at first hearing the news that I might not be able to go to Daytona Beach for a cheerleading competition, but am now seeing the growing concern this virus has. My microbiology teacher has been talking about the coronavirus since the beginning of this semester. She even repeated the need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and to stop touching your face, these now being tips spread across the news to stop the coronavirus. It is hard to not be concerned, especially when everything seems to be getting shut down. Going to the store and seeing a lot of shelves completely bare is insane. I didn’t expect anything else in my area though, these people run to the store when hearing news about anything. It’s just crazy to see the impact a novel virus has on a community first hand, instead of just hearing about epidemics and pandemics in a textbook.

Covid-19 was first identified in China, but has been spread across the world as many of us are aware of. Online and television broadcasters continue to emphasis the importance of washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, avoid coming in close contact with sick people, and to not go into crowded spaces. It is hard not to hear about this virus at the moment. This strain is spread through the air or direct contact. Coughing or sneezing can put infected particles into the air or touching and shaking hands with an infected individual and then rubbing your face. Many infections such as the common cold are also spread this way. It’s only because there isn’t a ton of research done on this coronavirus strain that causes a higher severity and need for public knowledge. Symptoms can appear anywhere between 2 to 14 days. Someone can be infectious for 2 weeks before developing any symptoms, believing they are healthy and don’t need to be isolated. This is why it’s difficult to keep this disease confined, people simply don’t know right away that they are sick and will continue to come in contact with people. Practice good hygiene and keep up to date on the daily news about this virus in order to adequately protect yourself.

As of March 14, there have been two confirmed cases of covid-19 in Mecklenburg County. This county is a mere ten minutes from my home. The second person that tested positive was said to have returned from the United Kingdom and is now in isolation at home. There is no evidence of the disease being spread in this community at this time, however this is constantly evolving. One day there are only a handful of cases and the next over twenty people have been tested positive across the United States. North Carolina is among many to declare a state of emergency allowing Mecklenburg county and all other counties access to state and federal funds to help fight this pandemic. Many people have growing concerns as to how they would know if they are at an increased risk. This is the case if you have traveled outside the country and are experiencing symptoms, feel sick, have a fever, cough, or have difficulty breathing. Being exposed or living with someone who has tested positive for this virus means you need to be placed in isolation. This is to protect yourself and everyone around you. This virus needs to be contained and the only way for this to happen is for those infected to be isolated and healthy individuals to practice good hygiene and remain in less congested areas when they can.