Coronavirus

Everywhere. The word has surrounded me on my college campus, at my nurses station, and in my neighborhood. But what even is this virus? Is it a flu? Is it even that bad? Does it really need to be the source of all conversations? We are going to take a look into the microbiology behind this bug and the way it is affecting people both in the US and China.

According to the Center or Disease Control webpage, Coronaviruses are prevalent in many different species of animals like camels and bats. However, sometimes these coronaviruses can evolve and infect humans and spread within populations. The method of transmission is through respiratory droplets, produced by sneezing and coughing, within 6 feet of the infected person. The contact of the droplets with peoples’ mouths and noses can be inhaled into the lungs. Symptoms include: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The incubation period is anywhere from 2 to 14 days.

Although Americans are worried about contracting this disease, the best way to prevent it is to avoid exposure because there is no vaccine. This includes hand washing and avoiding contact with sick people.

“While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat”

Center of Disease Control, on risk of corona virus

The CDC is closely monitoring the outbreak of the respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and is continuing to grow. Chinese health officials have reported tens of thousands of infections in China, with the virus reportedly spreading from person-to-person in parts of that country. The United States have taken various measures to protect the safety and health of our country that were published in the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Situation Summary produced by the CDC.

Some include:

• suspending entry in the United States of foreign nationals who have visited China within the past 14 days.
• Measures to detect this virus among those who are allowed entry into the United States (U.S. citizens, residents and family) who have been in China within 14 days also are being implemented.

In summary, the coronavirus is similar to the flu which although can be scary should not be a cause for mass fear. There are cases of death and serious illness in every virus even the common cold. The coronavirus is another form of something that still remains far distant from Americans. The low risk of exposure should not be a great concern for Americans today. If something were to change in the future, and large numbers of outbreaks occur in the states, then there would be larger concern.

But today we should all be focusing on problems more at immediate risk to our own health like obesity.