The COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 is a coronavirus strain. Coronaviruses are a specific subset of viruses that use RNA instead of DNA as their genetic material and are covered in spikes on the surface of the virus that attack cells. COVID-19 is, however, a novel coronavirus. This is because before December of 2019, the world was only aware of six coronaviruses, thus making it the seventh, with very little information available on it. The virus causes a range of respiratory symptoms ranging from dry cough and fever to fatal viral pneumonia, with a majority of people developing mild symptoms. However, certain people develop severe symptoms among them, health workers with low immunity (since they get a higher dose than ordinary people), the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Despite causing mortality, COVID-19 is comparatively less violent compared to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) – another coronavirus that broke out in 2003- with death rates of around 2% against reported cases, compared to 10% of SARS. Vaccines are currently under development. However, they are far from being administered as research requires for the vaccine to be developed first, then studied for safety and effectiveness in animals before human studies commence. The process will roughly take a year to complete. Despite non-extensive research on how the virus spreads, humans to humans infections, especially in adjacent spaces such as the diamond princess cruise ship is evident.

The increase of population on the planet today, coupled with an increase in the demand for animal food, has led to the clearing of tropical rainforests and the savannah for ranching and farming. Wild animals, in turn, are being hunted for food and are facing extinction, with some already extinct as the insatiable appetite by human beings soar. This phenomenon will lead to more and more viruses being discovered in the future as human beings and animals come into contact with each other.

Although the closing of borders and enforcement of quarantine may slow the volatility of the virus, they cannot entirely stop it from spreading. The single most effective way of tackling this problem is to build global health systems and support core health care functions in every country, and more so developing ones, so that infectious diseases are identified rapidly and treated as they emerge. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic will get worse before it gets better. It is the responsibility of every one of us to adequately source accurate information from bodies such as the World Health Organization and fight misinformation, as that will only spread panic and fear. Further, individuals should observe high levels of personal hygiene, isolate themselves if they contact any symptoms, and seek medical advice in case of such a situation.