A Millennial’s Take on the Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic, with the spread of influenza lasting through the years 1918-1919.¹ About one-third of the world’s population became infected with mortality rates high in people younger than 5 years old, 20-40 years old and older.¹ The coronavirus (Covid-19), on the other hand, is a higher risk for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.² Back then the resources we have now were not available, which in this case is a vaccine. There is some concern with the spread of coronavirus and the lack of vaccines are what make this virus perhaps a little more troubling and to relate the coronavirus and influenza in today’s world is a misjudgment. Control efforts that were used for the influenza in 1918 consisted of isolation, quarantine, use of disinfectant, and limitations of gatherings.¹ Due to lack of a vaccine such control measures taken back from the 1918 influenza pandemic are being used for the Covid-19 now in 2020. The precautionary measures government is taking for the coronavirus are helping to slow the transmission of the virus and the impact on the population most at risk.² Covid-19 is a new virus in which no one has immunity, whereas the flu there is immunity built up seasonally in people.⁵

The coronavirus has now been declared a pandemic. Why is a pandemic a concern? Well pandemics can increase morbidity and mortality and cause economic, social and political disruption.³ Although some may compare Ebola and the Covid-19, with Ebola the transmission rate was slow to truly cause a pandemic³, whereas with Covid-19 the transmission rate is higher in respiratory droplets when infected people cough or sneeze.⁵ Clearly an economic shock is being experienced now with sports teams being stalled until further notice about the Covid-19 virus and stocks taking a plunge with everything being in the red. There is indeed fear sparked in some individuals in speaking of Covid-19, and the impact the virus has on our economy and loved ones. To reduce some of those fears there should be awareness on how to reduce the spread of Covid-19, which consist of washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer if soap and water is unavailable and avoid touching your face.⁴ Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces is also super important⁴, especially in restaurants and the like. If sick, stay home to avoid any other complications and have a safe 2020!

References

1. 1918 Pandemic (H1N1 virus). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-pandemic-h1n1.html. Published March 20, 2019. Accessed March 12, 2020.
2. People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html. Published March 10, 2020. Accessed March 12, 2020.
3. Madhav N. Pandemics: Risks, Impacts, and Mitigation. Disease Control Priorities: Improving Health and Reducing Poverty. 3rd edition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525302/. Published November 27, 2017. Accessed March 12, 2020.
4. Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html. Published March 10, 2020. Accessed March 12, 2020.
5. Katella K. 5 Things Everyone Should Know About the Coronavirus Outbreak. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/2019-novel-coronavirus/. Published March 11, 2020. Accessed March 12, 2020.