Is the World Ready for the Coronavirus?

The Coronavirus: the catastrophic disease that has ruined thousands of lives. The virus was first identified in Wuhan City China, at a local seafood market. China has been going to extreme measures to prevent any contamination by quarantining the citizens and preventing them from leaving the country. Unfortunately, their efforts are futile as America is currently facing the rapidly spreading outbreak with 12 confirmed cases of the Wuhan coronavirus identified and 100 other cases are being put under investigation. We, in Ridgewood, are less than 26 miles away from three possible cases of the virus. As much as world leaders are trying to prevent this virus from spreading, the world will still not be prepared for the exponential fatalities that will arrive in the near future.

Data studies in China look at the rate at which the virus infected people. The total number of infected individuals in China has risen to over 34,000 and has claimed over 723 lives. The virus first started in late December and continues to inflict thousands of people. Unless we come up with a vaccine or cure to this virus, the virus will continue to rage.  

The government’s health advisers of the U.S. claim that Americans are too worried about the coronavirus that is spreading rapidly across China. The president’s few tweets give comforting messages to the public to stay calm, and he applauds Chinese efforts to contain the outbreak. This pandemic is being underestimated and these reassuring statements can only convince someone to a certain point. Also, these words to the public came out before we had our own death in the U.S. a few days ago. This first death contradicts many of our health officials’ claims that the virus is not dangerous in our country, and exposes how little attention that the crisis is actually getting. 

It is possible to slow down the virus from spreading, but we will never be able to completely stop it until we find a vaccine. Hopefully in the meantime, we will have a different fate as China’s, and we can do this by taking simple precautions. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 


Lauren Shin
staff writer

Graphic: Jiah Lee

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