The first case of Coronavirus was first detected in early December of 2019 in Wuhan, China and declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization after it had spread vastly throughout the globe. According to John Hopkins University, there is no specific treatment for this newly discovered infectious string declared as Covid-19 (Hopkinsmedicine.org). Overall, it has infected over 2 million people and killed over 158,000 individuals (CDC.gov). However, in this time of crisis we will learn how to protect ourselves, discover antibodies, strengthen relationships, and support local business.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended individuals to cover the mouths and nose to prevent disease transmission (CDC.gov). Dr. Segal, chair of anesthesiology and his team has come up with a study to test out fabrics that would have the closest function to a N95 mask. Also, Vanderbilt University Medical Center has suggested tightly woven fabrics and published instructions on how to make two layered masks (nbcnews.com). With this knowledge, people are able to make their own masks at home and protect themselves so PPE masks can go to health care workers who are more at risk. Not only that, but handmade masks are even donated to hospitals lacking protective gears. Most importantly, we learned that using social distance and simply staying home can save lives (CNN.com).
The New York Times has reported that blood plasma containing antibodies from survivors has a chance of preventing those suffering from getting worse and can reduce the mortality rate (nytimes.com). This method has been used to treat infectious diseases such as ebola and influenza. John Hopkins University Bloomberg of Public Health has also been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for blood plasma therapy trial (Foxnews.com).
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Furthermore, doctors at the University of Chicago medicine have been treating severely ill patients with blood plasma (MSN.com). Hundreds of responses have been flooding in through a survey as individuals are eager to donate their blood plasma (nytimes.com). This could be a breakthrough on the study of blood plasma for a cure for Covid-19.
Continuing on, this difficult time gives us the chance to connect and strengthen relationships with one another. Parents and children with busy schedules can now sit and have dinner together. This is also a golden opportunity to have a face to face conversation unlike facetiming or texting. People can reach out to eldery parents or neighbors with underlying conditions because they are more at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight out of ten deaths have been adults sixty five and older (cdc.gov). Little things like doing their grocery shopping can save their lives. Many lives will be changed forever, whether it is death or losing a job and we can acknowledge this time of hardship by showing compassion and kindness to each other.
As everyone is issued to stay home and nonessential stores have been ordered to close, it has resulted in over sixteen million individuals being unemployed (nytimes.com). The use of spending money for fun has gone down and people are cooking at home instead of eating out. Grocery sales have gone up over seventy nine percent, while restaurant sales have plummeted (nytimes.com). However, a lot of people are ordering take outs and supporting their local businesses. Mayor Will Reichelt of West Springfield has even used social media to promote take outs by pledging to support local business until restaurants can be open back up once more. (WWLP). Not to mention, many major chains like IHOP, Carl’s Jr, KFC, Taco Bell, and Chipotle etc are offering free delivery (businessinsider.com).
The outbreak of coronavirus has left the world anxiously waiting for the pandemic to go away and it is easy to feel powerless in circumstances like this. However, it is also very important to stay calm and have a positive mindset. Just like the saying by Timber Hawkeye “You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass”. Avoid yourself from indulging in dark and gloomy thoughts and make the most of your days by keeping yourself busy so you do not feel empty.
