Category: Coronavirus

What Scientists Have Learned About the Novel Coronavirus So Far

Scientist Holding Petri Dish
Scientist Holding Petri Dish
Photo: Pexels.com

The impact of the new strain of coronavirus has unleashed unprecedented medical research across the world to find a cure for this virus. It has resulted in the loss of lives of over 582,000 and still counting.

There is no one on this planet that would deny that it is imperative as ever to determine a vaccine. Here are some things that scientists have learned about COVID-19 so far. 

Person to Person Transmission 

At first, Chinese officials claimed that the new strain does not transmit easily from person to person. We now know that it can be passed down from person to person even before any symptoms show up. This means that asymptomatic people who never display symptoms can pass the disease onto others.

The most direct way for person to person transmission is by getting any droplets from the mouth or other areas of one’s body, but the virus is known to remain on hard surfaces for hours or even days as well. Hence, people can transmit it through breathing or talking, even before they face any symptoms. That is why it is highly recommended to wash your hands frequently and to wear a mask.

At first, it was thought that coronavirus infects the lungs, so it was perceived that coughs or invasive medical procedures could spread it. However, we have learned that it affects the lung cells as well as the senses. 

Signs/Symptoms

Scientists have confirmed a wide range of symptoms including:

    • Fever 
    • Cough 
    • Shortness of breath 
    • Body aches
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue 
    • Loss of taste and smell 

High-Risk Categories 

Only older people were believed to be at high risk, but there are also other factors. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, immune-compromised people and even racial disparities can increase the risk of fatality amongst patients. 

Low-Risk Categories 

It was believed that children would not get the virus, but the low risk does not mean any risk at all. Children can still develop inflammatory conditions that and can be quite dangerous, even though the percentage of infections among children is small. 

Rate of Transmission Per Person 

It has been confirmed that a single person can infect hundreds of people. This is why contact tracing and social distancing are so important. A single large gathering can lead to a huge cluster of infections that can stem from just one person too. For example, in South Korea, patient 31 has been traced back to turning the outbreak into a full-blown epidemic in just a week.  

Death Rate 

Death rates have been found to be different depending on the testing requirements set by the country. It will not be easy to pinpoint the exact death rate since it can vary from region to region. Scientists have learned that the infection fatality rate (including those people who have not been tested since they may not have had any symptoms) can be around 0.6%. 

Wearing Masks

Data shows that wearing masks is really important and can stop the spread of the virus by a great deal. What scientists have learned about coronavirus shows that wearing masks can hinder the ability of the virus to spread from an infected person and to a lesser extent, prevent a non-infected person from retaining the virus. They are the best source of protection, especially if everyone wears them. 

Treatment Plans 

Many scientists have rushed to test various drugs on the virus. Some have shown to be quite promising, while others decidedly have not. Malaria drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine show no benefits, while Remdesivir and Dexamethasone can help on some levels. There are currently 150 vaccines under development, with 20 currently in human clinical trials. 

FAQs

You may still have some questions about the virus that scientists have explored in detail. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions that people ask. 

Where Did COVID Come From And How Did It Infect Humans? 

The Sars-CoV-2 strain has been confirmed to have originated from bats. It was not produced in a lab. The virus developed because bats’ immune systems are stronger than humans, which causes the virus to replicate faster to get past the defenses. 

It moved onto other hosts that don’t have such a fast immune system, causing it to spread quickly through mammals. 

Are You Protected for Life if You Get It Once? 

Doctors have found that many people develop neutralizing antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are created by our immune systems that coat the virus, impeding its ability to break the cells. However, there have been cases where humans have gotten the virus again after recovering from it the first time. There is no surety that you will be protected for life. 

When Will the Vaccines Arrive? 

There are currently 150 vaccines being developed with many under human clinical trials. However, the larger consensus remains that it may take up to mid-2021 for a vaccine to become widely available. 

Does Warm Weather Stop Coronavirus?

Warm weather or exposure to high temperatures does not stop the virus from persisting. 

Conclusion 

The scientific community is still working steadily on the coronavirus. What scientists have learned about coronavirus already shows that a lot of work continues to be done. The best part about science is that it keeps evolving as new evidence presents itself, as is seen through the amendments in the knowledge that has been made already. With consistent work, it will hopefully be possible to finally extinguish the virus once and for all.  

New Drug Candidates and Treatment Options for COVID-19

Red and blue tablets
Photo by Unsplash.com

Ever since COVID-19 hit, a lot has changed. From knowing nothing to cracking the virus structure to coming up with potential treatment options, it won’t be wrong to say that we’re in a much better place as compared to where we were on day one of the pandemic. 

When COVID-19 first hit, the virus was completely foreign to the scientists, researchers and doctors. Nobody knew what it was like or what could stop it. But then, a team of researchers in China was finally able to decode the virus structure and were able to figure out the enzyme arrangement of the virus. This was a starting point for scientists around the world. They knew that if they could target this unit, combating the virus was possible. Since then, there have been multiple treatment suggestions, some which the FDA approved of, some which they didn’t and some which the FDA pulled back after giving initial approval.

Currently, a number of treatment options are under experiment and research, which the scientists believe hold the potential to treat the COVID-19 infection without producing any side effects in humans. Let’s have a look at these new drug candidates and treatment options.

11a and 11b

After researchers found out that there was a protease unit in SARS-CoV-2, without which it couldn’t possibly survive, they were able to come up with two new compounds – that they referred to as 11a and 11b. These new compounds were able to target the protease unit in the COVID-19 virus and inhibit it. After monitoring the anti-viral activity of 11a and 11b, they found out that they were quite effective in fighting the infection.

The plus point of using these compounds was that the enzyme that they target to fight the infection was absent in humans, which meant little or no side effects in humans. 11a was found to be less toxic. Therefore, 11a is now one of the many new candidates that are under further study. 

Remdesivir 

Originally developed for the treatment of the Ebola virus, Remdesivir received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA for COVID-19 on May 1, 2020. According to the FDA, it can be administered in children and adults who’ve been hospitalized for COVID-19, via the IV (intravenous) route. It is still an investigational drug and there are no FDA-approved indications for it. However, it has shown a ray of hope in the treatment of COVID-19 infections in Japan.  

EIDD-2801 

Although EIDD-2801 has no FDA approval or an EUA yet, it is under investigation for the treatment of the coronavirus. One of the benefits that END-2801 has over Remdesivir is that it can be administered orally; therefore it can be used without hospitalization. It has shown promising activity against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS in animals, but whether or not it is safe for humans is still under evaluation. Clinical trials have already been conducted in May, but the results are pending.    

Suramin

It is an anti-parasite molecule which is used for the treatment of river blindness and African sleeping sickness. It is a broad-spectrum antiviral that is effective against HIV, hepatitis C, Zika virus, herpes simplex type-1, and chikungunya viruses. According to studies conducted, it might be a possible candidate for the treatment of a COVID-19 infection. It was found to offer complete protection against the cell death induced by SARS-CoV-2 and reduces the extracellular RNA levels in the virus. 

The study suggested that it can be used as an effective treatment in patients that are still in an early phase of the infection, particularly at the stage of entry in the host cells or viral binding. There have been no clinical trials yet to check its efficacy and safety in humans. 

3-Drug Combination

Phase-II clinical trials have been conducted on a 3-drug combo of Interferon beta-1b, ribavirin and Lopinavir-ritonavir, and this combination has been found to be effective when it comes to treating less severe cases of COVID-19. The trial was 14-days long, in which one group of 86 patients was given these three drugs, while the control group of 41 volunteers were given lopinavir and ritonavir only. The first group should have effective virus clearance after just 7 days, whereas, in the control group, it took an average of 12 days. The best outcome of these trials was that there were no serious adverse effects. 

According to results, researchers suggest that interferon beta-1b might be the star component of this treatment combo. Further investigation is underway.  

Favilavir

Favilavir is an already marketed anti-viral medicine. It inhibits RdRp. It has been approved for the COVID-19 infection treatment in China and Italy, but it still lacks the approval by the FDA. Phase-II clinical trials were conducted to see how effective this broad-spectrum antiviral was against COVID-19. The trials were 25 days long. It was administered to 760 CVODI-19 positive patients at the end of May in Canada. The results are yet to be released. However, some other studies conducted on the same drug molecule don’t suggest it as an effective treatment option for the COVID-19 infection. 

Baricitinib

Baricitinib is an oral drug. This JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor is in Phase-III trials at present to see its effects in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. It is an oral drug that is available in the market by the name Olumiant for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis. Its efficacy against SARS-Cov-2 is yet to be found. 

Closing Word

Several potential treatment options for the COVID-19 infection are still under investigation and testing. While there are plenty of them at the moment, none of them have been approved by the FDA as the ultimate treatment option. Hydroxychloroquine was one of the most-hyped treatment options that the FDA had given an EUA for the treatment of COVID-19, but after the discovery that its side effects outweigh the benefits, the FDA pulled the EUA back. Although there are many treatment options on the list right now, the safety of all of them still need to be evaluated. It seems like there is still a long way to go. 

In the meantime, there are things you can do to protect yourself. Some are well known, such as wearing masks (which help prevent your molecules from spreading to others(, six-foot distancing, staying home as much as possible and most important and avoiding crowds, wash your hands frequently!  

Additionally, try to stay as healthy as possible by taking vitamins (vitamin D and C are the most important) and any immune boosters. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and visit your doctor to get the most efficient advise on your health! 

The Different Kinds of Responses Proposed for COVID-19 by Countries

Mask and gloves

COVID-19 has affected 8,281,451 people up till now, out of which, 446,461 people lost their lives fighting the battle. The disease starts with symptoms like mild flu, dry cough, fever and chills. People don’t really do much about it, thinking it will go away. However, it’s not long before their symptoms worsen, the fever gets high, they feel chills and eventually find it difficult to breathe normally.   

How is COVID-19 Infection Different from Normal Flu? 

It is a highly contagious infection that is transmitted through the respiratory droplets of the affected person. The COVID-19 virus is not airborne. It is when a COVID-19 patient coughs or sneezes that their respiratory droplets are fired into the air, towards the people near them. When a person inhales these droplets or touches a surface that is contaminated with the respiratory droplets of an infected person and touches their face, they can get infected. What makes the COVID-19 infection different from ordinary flu is that there is no known treatment. No vaccine can keep one from getting infected or a drug that can treat the patients. Moreover, unlike the flu, the COVID-19 virus spreads throughout the lungs and affects the breathing capability of an individual. 

As a result, they’re put on artificial breathing support (ventilator). Some get recovered while those with pre-existing medical conditions have more of a struggle because they are already compromised.

What Can Be Done?

Since the treatment of the coronavirus infection doesn’t exist, all the doctors try to do is manage the symptoms. However, the only way to keep oneself protected from initially getting infected is to maintain social distance and wear a mask when outdoors. WHO recommends keeping a distance of at least six feet from other people. The farthest the virus can travel when a person coughs or sneezes is less than six feet. Moreover, when you’re wearing a mask, you are limiting the chances of others getting infected by you.   

In case someone in your family gets tested positive for COVID-19 and their condition isn’t so bad that they need to be hospitalized, the best thing to do is isolate them. Keeping them in a separate room and maintaining no physical contact with them will ensure that the rest of the family stays safe. Additionally, you should disinfect your house or apartment. Common household disinfectants are recommended such as Lysol or other cleaners that contain disinfectant ingredients. All common areas should be cleaned including bathrooms. You might want to consider a professional to do it for you if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself. 

This is the primary safety protocol that has been put forward by health authorities all over the world. Different countries took different steps to keep the spread of the virus in control and contain the numbers of affected persons to a minimum. Many countries moved towards nationwide lockdown. Let’s have a look at how countries responded to the coronavirus disease.   

Australia

Australia is one of the countries that flattened the curve the fastest. The country closed its borders as soon as the pandemic hit Australia and cases started surfacing. The government declared strict rules to maintain social distancing in public places and community centers, churches, schools, clubs, entertainment venues and beaches were closed. 

New South Wales, Australia entered alert level four 15 days after the 100th case was reported. However, in just eight days after this, it had controlled the spread significantly and entered into alert level three.  Australia surely responded to the pandemic at the right time and took all the right steps that kept the COVID-19 spread well under control.

Italy

We all know how badly the outbreak hit Italy. With thousands of new cases every day, it seemed like there was no stopping to the pandemic in Italy. Italy underestimated the gravity of the situation and responded pretty late. However, when it finally responded, it managed the outbreak very effectively. The country took strict measures. Apart from closing down all public places, they declared a country-wide lockdown and even closed all their essential businesses. The delay caused Italy about 27,000 deaths. However, with strict social distancing protocols and lockdown, they managed to reduce its spread rate significantly.  

New York

The COVID-19 pandemic sucked the life out of the city that never sleeps. The virus spread rapidly and ended up overwhelming the healthcare system. New York City, like Italy, had undermined the virus and it declared a lockdown only after the number of COVID-19 cases peaked, then a complete lockdown followed. From a staggeringly high rate of more than 6,000 cases every day in April, New York managed to bring the number down to less than 1,000 cases a day in June.  

Singapore

Singapore has been one of the most successful countries to have managed the COVID-19 outbreak. It took the right measures early on and controlled the situation without having to move towards a complete lockdown. Singapore ran COVID-19 tests extensively. They ensured strict quarantining and created a highly efficient contact tracing system. It quickly entered alert level three from alert level four. However, the only mistake they did was get overconfident about the fact that they had combated the pandemic. As a result, a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country that took it back to alert level four.

China

This discussion can’t come to an end without the mention of China. It all started in China, but today, it is one of the few countries that have lifted the lockdown and returned to a normal routine. While the virus spread rapidly, China managed to contain it and bring the number of daily cases to zero. The question is – how did they do that?

China tested the people for COVID-19 for free. They built hospitals in a matter of days so that they could cater to the medical needs of the maximum number of people. Not only this, they literally walled off wards in existing hospitals to contain the spread. They also prioritized COVID-19 patients, as patients with other complaints weren’t entertained at the hospitals. Wuhan, the epicenter of the disease, was completely cut off from the rest of the country. The trains didn’t stop at Wuhan station and the flight operations were suspended. China made an excellent contact tracing system that aims to track every individual affected by the virus. Their contact tracing was efficient and their lockdown was strict.

All in all, China responded promptly and aggressively, which is why it is in a better position than the rest of the countries across the world today!

Closing Word

Countries around the globe responded differently. Some responded on time while some delayed responding. Some have been successful at containing the COVID-19 virus while others are still struggling. The only way to combat the virus successfully is – respond promptly and keep trying. The coronavirus pandemic isn’t something you can stay relaxed about and even though there are signs of the virus diminishing in certain areas, we need to still stay vigilant so that it doesn’t return or at least not in the ferocious way it did before. 

Economic Recovery after COVID-19

Illustration novel COVID-19 virus
Microscopic View of the Novel COVID-19 Virus (Photo Unsplash.com)
The economies of countries all around the world have been impacted drastically by this pandemic. A substantial part of the economy has been shut down in an attempt to reduce social interactions, which is the only way (as of now) to keep the spread of COVID-19 in control. The world economy has experienced a sharp decline in the GDP, along with a rapid surge in unemployment. It is hard to tell just yet how massive the overall impact will be, and more importantly, how long it will last.

According to the IMF, the world economy was expected to grow by 3.3% in 2020, but it will actually shrink by 4.9%. They predict that if the countermeasures to the pandemic are successful, the world economy is expected to recover to achieve significant growth of 5.8% in 2021.

With that said, many countries have already started to open up. Although diminishing, COVID-19 is still with us, but it is just not possible to keep the economies hibernated for unknown periods of time. It is something even the strongest economies can’t sustain, let alone the countries that were already struggling to keep their heads above water before the pandemic hit.

Let’s see how soon complete economic recovery is possible and how different countries are working towards achieving it.

China

It all started in China. On 31st December 2019, China told the WHO about the outbreak of a pneumonia-like disease in many people in Wuhan. Back then, nobody knew what was causing the infection. On 12th January 2020, China publicly shared that the infections were being caused by a new virus, COVID-19, although controversy still looms over how long China waited before that made it public to the world and if things could have been different if that notified everyone earlier. However, we can’t change the past and so things began to escalate by March 11, 2020, WHO had declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic.

It took China three months to declare itself coronavirus-free. Although, after going 56 days with no new COVID-19 cases, a new case was reported on 11th June 2020.

China imposed strict lockdown and social distancing protocols in Wuhan in an attempt to contain the pandemic. During this time, the economy of China shrunk by 6.8% for the first time in 40 years. There was a noticeable decline in exports and the sales of consumer goods. However, China was soon on the road to economic recovery. 

In March, the economy of China started to get better, as essential businesses were opened.  In early April, China lifted the strict lockdown in the Wuhan city, which is considered the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. It looks like China is working towards economic recovery slowly, but it remains to see what the world is going to do about this and if they will hold China responsible. Indeed, President Trump has already said that there will be consequences for China’s “mishandling” of the virus and the delay in which they let the world know.

Italy

The COVID-19 outbreak in Italy was worse than many other countries, including China. The death toll stands at the second-highest spot. Italy’s economy was already struggling with the after-effects of the oil crisis that hit the country in the 1980s. To try to control the COVID-19 outbreak from worsening any further, it imposed a strict lockdown. 

On 4th May 2020, Italy lifted the longest-ever lockdown that any country of Europe had seen. Because let’s face it – no country can have their economies shut down forever. With the lifting of lockdown, the basic economic activity was restored, and it seemed like the normal routine was returning. Construction and manufacturing plants were opened, followed by the opening of restaurants, cafes, libraries and museums. Soon, restrictions on domestic travel was also lifted and the borders with EU countries were also re-opened. It took Italy two months to reach a point where they could consider restoring their economic activities. While a complete economic recovery may take years, they do appear to be on the road to complete recovery.

Australia

Australia has been one of the few countries that managed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak early on. It imposed a strict lockdown soon after the number of COVID-19 positive cases started to rise. Like many other countries, the economy of Australia was impacted badly. The sales of consumer products declined drastically, unemployment surged, flight operations were suspended, the real estate market froze and tourism seemed to have come to a halt. However, Australia has finally started its journey to the road of economic recovery.

The government plans to either cut down its spending or increase the taxes to cover up for the losses due to COVID-19. The country has no plans whatsoever to restore international flight operations for the rest of the year, but it hopes that it will boost domestic travel. As a result of increased domestic travel, the economy will experience a significant boost. The government is also planning reforms that will aid in speedy economic recovery.

According to experts, the GDP is expected to shrink by 10 to 15% by the mid of the year. As the workplaces and economic activities begin to come back to normal, the economic recovery will pick up the pace. Experts predict that the economy will get better during the second half of the year. It might take the country about 18 months to reach its economic highs again. However, it may not be until the end of 2021 that the Australian economy recovers from the impact of COVID-19 completely.

New Zealand

The world is praising how New Zealand managed to combat COVID-19 like champions! However, the battle against COVID-19 didn’t come easy for them. The country’s economy was struck quite hard and it seems like it will take quite a while for it to come back to where it was before COVID-19 hit. The worst the economy of New Zealand had ever shrunk was to 1.7%, but it is at 4.6% at present. The tax collection up to June remained below the target, which has left with less money to spend. Unemployment rates have surged from 4% to 8.3%. Worst of all, New Zealand is facing revenue deficits for the first time in many years. However, with the lifting of the lockdown and the restoration of economic activity, it may take at least 10 months for the country to achieve a complete economic recovery.

Closing Word 

It looks like the world is learning to live with COVID-19. Countries all around the world are slowly opening up their economies. There is uncertainty surrounding complete economic recovery right now, but as they say – slow and steady wins the race. With smart strategies and gradual lifting of lockdowns, countries can successfully restore their normal routines and economic activities, without provoking the COVID-19 outbreak to get worse, which is a slippery slope but one that can be managed if done smartly and wisely. 

COVID-19 Updates: How Are Things Looking in the US?

A public notice placed on the window of a general store saying Store Closed due to COVID-19

After closing in on over 1.9 million nationwide confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, the US appears to be reaching a plateau at last. Continue reading for more COVID-19 updates.

The coronavirus outbreak has rattled the global economy and brought numerous businesses to a screeching halt. However, while the pandemic has gripped the entire world in its deadly grasp and spread to big and small countries alike, the US is one of those countries that have been the most severely hit. 

Since the first local case was reported on January 21, the numbers have grown exponentially, with the total count of the confirmed COVID-19 patients in the country now nearing 2 million. That’s more than a quarter of all COVID-19 cases reported worldwide!

According to the data collected by Johns Hopkins University, more than 110,000 people in the US have lost their lives in the battle against this virus. With the global tally for confirmed deaths slightly over 403,000, the virus has clearly killed more people in the US than in any other part of the world.

However, on a brighter side, there are signs that the rate of growth of coronavirus is reaching a plateau. Business operations and life in the US, in general, may soon be returning to normal as the new case and death counts are leveling off in various states. Restaurants, while still on lockdown are placing tables outside and catering to customers outside when they weren’t before. We should note that they still are keeping the 6’ distancing practice and advising costumers to wear masks. 

Some Major States Opening Up

New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and California are some of the states that are lessening the restrictions on lockdown after being hit the hardest by COVID-19. 

Since viruses generally spread more quickly in densely populated areas, it shouldn’t be too surprising why these states were dealt a massive blow; but nonetheless, after weeks of adhering to the shelter-in-place advisory, the outlook is improving. 

In fact, in regions such as California and Washington, things have improved so much that the local governments are returning the military-borrowed medical equipment and taking down the makeshift hospitals that were set up in preparation for a surge in cases. 

This is a huge improvement considering the fact that not only were the biggest clusters of cases observed in these regions, but states like New York, New Jersey and California together accounted for over 50% of all the cases in the country – along with nearly 60% of all deaths nationwide. In fact, there was a time in April when New York alone saw an average of about 8,000 – 10,000 new cases every day!

Crisis in the Midst of a Crisis

While the effects of this infectious disease seems to be cooling off in some parts of the country, the pattern isn’t consistent. 

As previous hotspots subside, new ones seem to be emerging. As thousands of Americans get together to raise their voice for racial equality, there is a growing fear among health experts regarding a sudden spike in new infections. Experts say that this new increase is mainly attributed to the Black Lives Matter protests after George Floyd’s ruthless killing in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. 

Authorities are warning demonstrators to follow proper safety protocols to protect themselves and others from contracting coronavirus. This is because social distancing – our most powerful defense technique so far for controlling the spread of the virus – is not being practiced at all of these rallies. 

In the wake of these mass demonstrations throughout the US, several states and cities are setting up free testing sites to keep a close check on the contagion and decide the best course of action from thereon.

For instance, in San Francisco, multiple mobile testing sites continue to pop up, offering free coronavirus tests for people who are concerned about exposure. 

Similarly, the state government in Illinois announced that locals no longer need health insurance or a doctor’s prescription to get themselves tested for COVID-19. 

Business Restrictions in Major States and Territories

Although restrictions are loosening up in the initial hot spots like New York and California, there is still a strict code of conduct that must be followed when resuming business activities.

Plus, only particular businesses have been allowed to recommence operations for the time being.  

For example, in California, low-risk businesses such as flower shops, bookshops, clothing stores, are allowed to reopen. Personal-care businesses including salons and barbershops are also open now in multiple jurisdictions, except the ones hardest-hit, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.

In New York, certain outdoor recreational businesses like drive-in movie theaters have been granted permission for resuming operations. State beaches and public parks have also been opened in some parts of the country.

The NY governor, Andrew Cuomo recently announced that five regions, including Central NY have entered the second phase of reopening. This means that nonessential retail businesses cannot only welcome customers but also seat up to 50% of their normal capacity as long as they adhere to the issued guidelines.

Dental clinics have also resumed normal operations and are catering to patients of elective surgeries as well. 

Bottom Line

After weeks of implementing shelter-in-place and suffering through a health crisis cum economic disaster that has affected more than 300 million Americans, a degree of normalcy can now be seen in several parts of the country.

However, health experts warn that with increased activity, there is a risk of new infections too. This is especially alarming when you consider the trends in the earlier epidemics like the Spanish Flu where the second and third waves wreaked more havoc than the first one. 

Therefore, be it opening up the doors of your office, heading out for grocery shopping or anything else in between, make sure to follow all safety precautions and play your part in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

The Impact of Coronavirus on the Economy and Businesses

Every news channel and social media platform is buzzing with updates on the recent global pandemic that has hit the world.

The coronavirus outbreak was first detected in China and began to spread rapidly in all other parts of the world, killing thousands of people in its wake.

Although the latest statistics show that the pandemic is slowing down, the outbreak is still with us, most importantly on businesses and the world’s economy. May countries remain in full-lockdown mode and work is still stagnant in some places since people are being fired, laid off and furloughed. 

Effect on Global Shares 

Although recovery seems to be in sight,  shares have suffered a massive hit, followed by major shifts in the stock markets. Most of these markets have experienced some of the biggest downfalls ever since the pandemic began on 31st December 2019.

London’s FTSE and The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for instance, have witnessed their biggest quarterly drops since 1987.

In an effort to slow down the growth of the virus, most of the activities have come to a halt, which is the main factor that has caused such huge drops in the global shares.

According to economists, the global economy will suffer bigger hits in the upcoming days at the hands of coronavirus.

Industries Impacted by Coronavirus 

When you talk about the economic impact of a global pandemic, it is essential to consider its effects on the industries of the world.

It has been found out that two of the biggest industries to have been impacted by this outbreak are the hotel and travel industries. This is due to hundreds of travel cancellations, low consumer demand, closure of many bars and restaurants, and low consumer confidence, to name a few.

Hotels in the United States, for instance, are facing unprecedented booking cancellations as a result of which millions of hotel employees can end up losing their jobs in the upcoming weeks.

On top of that, the virus has literally slammed the US travel industry, where experts are predicting that it can possibly wipe out more than $10 billion that would typically come from Chinese visitors. 

Closure of Factories in China 

The coronavirus first emerged in China, where the sales and investment, along with industrial production, fell the most during the first three months of this year.

Although the US government is looking to make some fundamental changes regarding global trade, one simply can’t ignore that China is currently among the world’s largest exporter of numerous goods, and it makes up almost a third of global manufacturing. This suggests that the consequences of the decline in industries and closure of factories in China isn’t just restricted to that country, but have impacted industries, exports, and imports of all other countries of the world as well.

The supply chain of large companies has also experienced a great hit, such as carmaker Nissan. This has led to a massive drop in Chinese car sales in March by almost 48 percent.

Assessing the Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak on Your Business 

When a global situation such as this one hits the entire world, someone running a business or an organization needs to assess the impact and effects on their business model not just in the current times, but also in the long run. You need to be able to identify the different kinds of risks and opportunities, if any, being presented by the crisis at hand.

There are four major things that you need to consider first:

    • Customers of your business
    • Business capabilities
    • Value demonstrations 
    • Value propositions 

These are the core dimensions of any model if you are to recover from such difficult consequences at all in the future.

The next thing to do is align these four elements and figure out where you stand. Think about how changes across one dimension can be aligned with the other three.

For instance, if you own a restaurant, you probably lose a lot of customers because of the lockdown. But if you know that people love eating your food, wouldn’t you want to transition your business in a way that you can still cater to them and bring your customers back?

In this particular example, the transition would be to start offering deliveries and takeaways, as so many restaurants have already been doing. 

It is important to understand that the crises is surely challenging and complex, but it’s not just all about risks and difficulties. It also has to do with numerous opportunities being created along the way.

At the end of the day, if circumstances continue to persist the way they are right now, businesses will have to find a way to make adjustments and resume to normalcy. 

What’s Next?

Considering the way that the virus continues to escalate, it’s really hard to predict the future for economies and businesses all around the world. However, one can assume that digital transformations will be at the forefront, and the use of technology will be used more now than ever. 

The changes in the post-pandemic world will obviously be both negative and positive, and there will be some business fall out, but slowly and gradually, things, people and processes will pick up the pace in the near future.

Coronavirus Crisis and its Psychological Effects on the Population

Current Results of the Coronavirus 

Having fun staying at home? You are not alone. Get ready to meet your seven billion neighbors who are struggling with the same predicament across the globe. COVID-19 has spread like wildfire affecting hundreds of millions of people and resulting in the deaths of thousands. 

Woman wearing mask in a grocery store.
Woman wearing mask in a grocery store. The new normal of life in our country and the world. Photo by Pexels

Welcome to the new normal, where we quarantine in our homes, go out only when it’s essential, wear gloves and masks, binge Netflix and talk to doctors through telehealth.

This is no doubt affecting our behavior and lifestyle, but what is it doing to us psychologically? And what will the future hold? Will handshakes be taboo? What about going to bars and restaurants? How long do we expect governments to enforce this lockdown? Just these few questions can cause anxiety, but the more pertinent issues that can really bring up our stress levels are catching the infections and the subsequent fear of dying.

As the disease continues to affect our everyday lifestyles, governments, businesses, and individuals have been forced to take some drastic measures to prevent the spread of this disease. Countries around the world have shut down schools, canceled events, and closed factories, leaving most cities void of human activity. 

Telecommunication has become part of this behavior. Businesses, schools, medical facilities, and even religious institutions are all participating in this effort to keep us safe, but how is it affecting our psyche, if at all?

Worshiper participating in Pope Francis' eulogy using telecommuting
Worshiper participating in Pope Francis’ eulogy via telecommuting
“Church in the time of Coronavirus” by 
Catholic Church (England and Wales), licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 

While millions are now working from home, others have lost their jobs and there are many who have been forced to stay at home while they put their professional commitments on hold until the situation improves. Such are the people who are sustaining through the tough times by withdrawing from their savings, even from their retirement funds.  

So as we continue to experience this new behavior, let’s not forget that preventive measures to control the spread of the virus will definitely help in mitigating this disease. But these measures come at a cost and part of the cost is psychological. No one exactly knows how future events will turn but for now, as people practice social distancing and avoid human interaction, the measures will continue to have a huge psychological impact. 

Silouttes shown social distancing

Psychological Effects of Preventive Measures 

As more and more people are self-quarantined, they have curtailed their in-person interactions. Let’s take a look at how these measures are affecting different segments of the population. 

Children

In some parts of the world, schools have closed down for as long as three months. Colleges have moved to telecommuting, leaving some students nervous about how to take examinations.

A symbolic illustration of social distancing among children
A symbolic illustration of social distancing among children
Photo by Pexels

While at home, children are forced to stay indoors, away from their friends, and told to avoid touching their faces and to keep washing hands. They hear their parents discussing the news about deaths and the number of infected people. Loved ones getting infected, parents worrying about food and their financial issues, and how the situation is affecting their professional lives can all take a toll on the emotional well-being of children.  

It is difficult for them to see a loved one infected which can be a cause of distress. Also, it is not easy for kids to see their parents struggling through a difficult situation. With schools and parks closed (although some are beginning to open up), being at home and unable to go outside is another stressor, all yielding to psychological implications. 

Parents must be aware of how this crisis affects their children and they can take preventative actions. Here are a few of what parents can do to help their kids maintain a normal life during this pandemic:

    • Keep them busy
      • School them at home. This can be done by creating a scheduled curriculum or by contacting the school to see if the school has a curriculum already prepared for their grade level.
      • Find out if the school provides tele-education, which is a growing technology during this time.
    • Set up a Zoom (or another teleconference app) that will connect them with their friends and your family. 
    • Play games with them or encourage them to play games amongst themselves. Preferably, games that induce educational objectives.
    • Do you have a backyard or does your apartment building have an inner courtyard? Go out with them and get some sun while you’re doing it. Besides seeing a different location outside of the four walls of your home, they (and you) can get some good vitamin D – an important nutrient and one that helps you fight the virus should you go to a hospital.

It is important that parents stay strong. This and the items mentioned above are an excellent way to help maintain normality during these trying times.

Professionals in the Workplace

Woman working on a laptop by a window
Photo by Edward Jenner from Pexels

This (COVID-19) changes everything. A new paradigm has approached as close contact is now being discouraged, causing small businesses to close and resulting in more and more people working from home; that is, if they still have a job.

The lack of human interaction, the fear of getting infected, and being locked at home can take a toll on anyone’s mental health. This, along with the deadlines of work and the constant fear of losing the job adds to another major source of stress. 

Many factories and organizations have been closed now, laying off hundreds and thousands of people. This means that there is a significant increase in unemployment. In the US alone, the number of individuals seeking unemployment benefits has reached 30 million people. The numbers are much higher in other parts of the world. As governments are trying to contain the virus, this increasing loss of jobs is posing an additional challenge. 

Unemployment comes with its own set of psychological implications. The loss of jobs and financial concerns along with the fear and anxiety of the pandemic can take a toll on our mental health.

But there is a third group of workers who have put all their professional commitments on hold due to the pandemic. These are the people who are waiting for the situation to return to normal before they can go back to work. People associated with export businesses, airline industries, airport staff are some of the people whose professional life is on hold. While such people are at home and not working, the uncertainty and fear of loss of jobs or business value are huge. 

The Elderly 

Dementia Patient

Apart from children, another group that is affected is the elderly. According to statistics, the highest mortality rate due to COVID-19 is among people aged 60 and above. People aged 80 and above have a mortality rate as high as 14.8%. Also, people who have pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, lung and cardiovascular diseases are more at risk of getting infected. All this is scary for anyone who is 65 or older.

Many seniors live on their own. The psychological implications of being away from their loved ones while being at risk of a disease that is fatal in certain conditions can be huge. This constant fear of getting infected further adds to the mental cost of the already struggling elderly. 

Moving Forward 

Social Distancing. Is this the new normal?
Photo by Kate Trifo from Pexels

The COVID-19 virus has been a stress test for people and governments across the globe. The condition has affected every single person who lives on this planet regardless of age, race, or social stature. As we experience the pandemic, we can only hope that the crisis subsides before it takes a toll on the emotional and mental health of the people.

While there are some unavoidable costs of this crisis, on a positive note, the entire world has come together to support each other in these tough times. With changing weather and trials of preventive vaccines, there is hope for a COVID-19 free world. It is possible and the world is working on a cure. What we need to do now is maintain a positive attitude and stay optimistic throughout this pandemic.

How to Deal with Coronavirus Anxiety

A guy holding a coronavirus placard

The Coronavirus pandemic is an event so extraordinary that every country in the world is battling it. It’s a global impact so unprecedented that nothing can compare to it since WWII and medically, since the Spanish Flu of 1918.  

This alone is enough to give anyone anxiety as people are dying at an accelerated rate and no one knows when it will end. In these testing times, anxiety and depression are at an all-time high.

With more than 2,000,000 dead and infections exceeding 117,000,000, everyone is trying to find a way to hold on to their sanity. While the future seems uncertain and nobody knows if they will contract the virus, the only thing a person can do is play their part in stopping the spread and keeping their stress level in check.

It may seem easier said than done because COVID-19 is not like anything the world has seen before. This virus is unrelenting and infecting hundreds of people in a fraction of time. Things seem out of control and like the uncertainty when the stock market crashes, it creates anxiety.

In view of this, people must try to control their fear levels so that they are better equipped to deal with this aggressive disease. Staying mentally and emotionally stable and strong in the face of adversity softens the blow, at least to some extent.

How to Cope

Start with our article on suggestions for dealing with anxiety as well as part II Tackling Stress and Depression which are very informative. Then take a look at our specific recommendations for dealing with stress levels associated with COVID-19 below.

Limit Media ExposureGraphic of media sources

Yes, it’s real, the world is going through a global crisis that’s causing mass casualties. But continuously reading or listening about the destruction caused by this disease is not going to help anyone. You should try to limit your media exposure to save your mental health. It’s wise to stay informed, but getting obsessed with the news and consuming every piece of information can snowball your stress.

Checking your phone for updates every other minute or turning on the TV to watch the news every hour will not let you sit in peace. Your mind will remain occupied with nothing consuming you but COVID-19. You need to distract yourself by trying to get involved in some other show or activity other than the news.

Look at Reliable Sources

Limiting media exposure doesn’t mean you don’t follow the news. Everybody needs to stay informed, therefore when you do look up the daily status on the corona pandemic, trust only reliable sources. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Get your updates from credible sources such as the CDC (Centre for Disease Control), WHO (World Health Organization) or other dependable sources.

Don’t trust the unsubstantiated videos that are doing the rounds on social media. Don’t forward any questionable data to your followers without verifying the credibility of the source.

The constant barrage of clips, news packages, audios and articles is not letting people relax for a second. Don’t aid this flow of unreliable information and ask your friends to do the same. However, if you want to inform your loved ones about a particular update, then cite only reliable sources.

Do Your Job

The coronavirus is not yielding and our current defenses against the virus are not strong enough. The best that we can do at the moment is to play our part in stopping the spread. If you want to channel your energies productively, wash your hands frequently, maintain excellent hygiene and practice social distancing.  

Women running track 6 feet distance
Staying 6′ or more from one another is highly recommended

Follow the proper protocol laid out by health organizations. Stay indoors as much as possible, and wash your hands regularly. Disinfect your doorknobs and keys. If you are staying at home due to a lockdown in your city, make sure you stay home as much as possible as well.

Follow the 6′ distance rule or better, try to stay away from people altogether. As previously mentioned, it is the droplets that we need to be vigilant about more than where the virus might reside on a tangible object.

 

Illustration of people wearing masks for the United Nations

Wear a mask if you have to go out for an urgent matter, such as getting groceries. Avoid physical contact with anyone because the coronavirus is asymptomatic (experience no symptoms). You might think that you are safe because you don’t have symptoms, but you cannot be sure. To be on the safer side, avoid shaking hands and hugging and kissing other people under all circumstances.

Most importantly – STAY HOME as much as possible!

Following these procedures will not only help keep you from acquiring the virus but will also give you peace of mind and subsequently more confidence that you will be alright.

Try to Have a Routine

With many cities under lockdown, people are forced to stay home. Staying home can disrupt your normal routine and a person can become aimless. In the time of a pandemic, when there is panic everywhere, it’s crucial to have a routine to avoid getting caught up in the fear. 

If you are not working currently, don’t take it as an excuse to roam around the house aimlessly or binge-watch the news. Get up early, exercise and get involved in household activities. Help your family members cook and clean. Read a book or watch a show that you enjoy. Don’t let lockdown turn you into a living room wanderer or a couch potato. Check out the section “Think Out of The Box!” in our article on Stress, Part I for more interesting ideas on how to keep yourself busy, as well as feeling rewarded that you are accomplishing things. 

Practice Relaxation and DeStressing

Woman doing yogaMeditate or download apps on your phone to help you relax. Take deep breaths as much as possible and think that everyone is in this crisis together, so you need to stay strong. Destressing is critical if you want to control your anxiety levels. 

While the experts are trying to come up with ways to deal with this pandemic, we need to take care of ourselves, physically and mentally. Be mindful and follow protocol to deal with the psychological effects of COVID-19. You will feel better in the long run.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The coronavirus (AKA COVID-19) is having a marked impact on our daily lives in every part of the world. From businesses to shopping to transportation, we are finding that we have to adjust our lifestyles virtually every day.

We will be doing our best to keep you updated with the latest methods for prevention, areas of infection and worldwide news as it comes available.

As of March 26, 2020, there are 491,623 confirmed cases, 119,978 recovered, 22,184 deaths.

Please stay tuned to the rapid changing of events as we move forward.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University

Coronavirus has now killed more than 1,000 people in the US

Start with our introduction to the coronavirus and stay tuned as we delve more into this worldwide medical dilemma.

Coronavirus – A Battle within China or a Global Epidemic?

Illustration of microscopic virus

About Coronavirus 

If there are not enough problems in the world, we now have to deal with a potentially deadly virus that is spreading throughout the world. Known as 2019 n-CoV (AKA Coronavirus), there is no known cure, but rest assured that at this time in the United States, the danger of catching this disease is very minimal.

Additionally, the latest analysis of patients who have contracted the virus are mostly the elderly, people who have existing health conditions which include those who have a deficiency within their immune system. Let’s read on to find out more about this disease and what we can do about it!

Where Did it Start?

Towards the end of the year 2019, several cases of pneumonia were reported in Wuhan City in the Hubei Province of China. The virus causing this condition was distinct and did not match any known viruses. This raised concerns as no one was aware of how the virus would affect humans. 

A week later, on the 7th of January 2020, Chinese officials confirmed the identification of the new virus. It was named 2019 n-CoV. Since then, the World Health Organization has been working closely with Chinese authorities and other international medical organizations in finding more about this virus. 

As of this writing, 

What is Coronavirus?

Woman sneezing with tissue

Coronavirus belongs to the family of viruses that are common in various species of animals. Earlier, it was reported that the virus circulates in animals and had some links with seafood and animal markets. However, there was a growing number of patients reported that they had no exposure to the animal market. This indicates that the virus is spreading through person-to-person contact. But so far, it is too early to conclude how it is spreading. 

In humans, these viruses can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold and flu to diseases such as pneumonia, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The new virus identified by the Chinese authorities has been temporarily named as novel coronavirus (2019- nCoV) and is the seventh type of coronavirus which has affected humans.

According to the WHO situation report 7, it is estimated that the incubation period of the virus ranges between two and ten days. However, this is just an estimate and further investigation is required. An understanding of the incubation period will allow medical practitioners to control the growth of the virus in the human body. 

Transmission 

Since the virus is commonly found in animals, it rarely infects people. But so far, it is believed that the virus is spreading through person-to-person contact. Similar to how it spreads with SARS and MERS, it is believed that respiratory droplets are the agents of transmission. Coughing and sneezing can contribute towards the spread; however, in the case of SARS and MERS, the transmission as a result of close contact. No such conclusions can be drawn regarding 2019 – nCoV, but the CDC, WHO, and other local and global authorities are trying to learn more about its behavior. 

Symptoms 

The virus can cause infections with a range of symptoms. Infected people can have little or no symptoms, but some people can have severe symptoms including: 

      • Shortness of breath
      • Cough 
      • Fever 
      • Acute respiratory tract infections 

Prevention and Treatment 

Currently, there is no treatment for the condition. Patients diagnosed with 2019 – nCoV usually receive support to relieve the symptoms however, there is no specific antiviral treatment that is recommended at this time. 

Additionally, there is no preventive vaccine that can prevent this infection, so the best way to prevent it is to simply do your best to avoid exposure. The World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC provide the following recommendations: 

Hand Soap
      • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 
      • In case water and soap are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer. The sanitizer must have at least 60% alcohol.
      • Avoid unnecessary touching of nose, eyes, and mouth especially with unwashed hands. 
      • Avoid contact with people who are sick and have flu-like symptoms. 
      • When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or flexed elbow. Immediately throw out the tissue and thoroughly wash hands. 
      • Thoroughly cook meat and eggs. 
      • Avoid unnecessary contact with animals. 
      • Wear face masks in public areas, especially in locations such as airports, subways and elevators. 
      • Cancel all non-urgent travel to China and neighboring countries. 

Follow the John Hopkins interactive map on how the coronavirus is spreading.

What’s Happening in China Right Now?

Schoolgirl with medicine mask on face in a classroom

With 4,451 confirmed and 5,794 suspected cases in China, the state is facing an emergency situation. Almost 20 cities are facing travel restrictions. Screening statioWildlife trade has been banned. Authorities have also postponed the new session for schools and colleges nationwide. 

What’s Being Done in the US?

The CDC is screening all travelers from Wuhan and other parts of China at several airports throughout the country. They also recommend avoiding unnecessary travel to Hubei province in China. It is expected that almost three dozen diplomats and their families will evacuate the region. The CDC is also monitoring at least 100 people in two states in the US. 

Global Impact 

The US and other countries are working to evacuate their citizens. The Philippines announced that they will stop issuing an on-arrival visa to all Chinese travelers. However, the virus has already affected 11 more countries outside of China. So far, 47 confirmed cases of 2019 n-CoV have been reported, with five in the US and three in France. The virus is spreading not only in the immediate neighboring regions of China but is also affecting other countries including Canada and Australia. Thus, on a global level, the risk assessment of this virus is high. 

Conclusion 

The World Health Organization is meticulously working towards knowing more about the virus. Local authorities and global researchers are also joining hands to find a solution to this deadly virus. New information will certainly help in finding ways to control the spread of the coronavirus and to save the lives of people not only in China but around the world.