Kyra Lieberman – In Motion Staff Writer
As of writing on March 20, 2020, there are more than a quarter million confirmed cases of COVID-19, often called coronavirus, worldwide.
There has been a global shortage of tests, something U.S. residents are acutely aware of. Most scientists believe the number of positive cases is much higher due to lack of testing, resources as well as that the illness can vary in its strength. Some people who test positive do not show symptoms, while others have become extremely ill and some have died. The global known death toll is 11,310.
COVID-19, which is abbreviated from coronavirus disease 2019, was first confirmed to appear in the Wuhan region of China on Dec. 31, 2019. The first death from the disease was reported in China 12 days later. By Jan. 20, 2020, the disease began to spread out of China and the World Health Organization declared a state of emergency on Jan. 30. Dr. Li Wenliang, who first sounded the alarm about the outbreak in China but was reprimanded by authorities, died of COVID-19 on Feb. 7. France announced the first confirmed death in Europe seven days later and the following week it began spreading rampantly in Iran.
South America reported its first case on Feb. 26, a Brazilian man who had recently been on a business trip to Italy. (On March 19, the death toll in Italy surpassed that in China and the following day, 627 had died by Friday afternoon, the highest death toll in one day anywhere.) The first case in Africa came two days later, and was an Italian man who visited Nigeria.
On Feb. 29, the U.S. confirmed its first death and introduced more travel restrictions and declared a national emergency on March 13. Two days later, gatherings of more than 50 were officially discouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On March 17, France, which had reached 6,500 confirmed cases and more than 140 deaths, imposed a nationwide lockdown and citizens who met with others would be fined. Residents in California, New York and Illinois, among other states, have been ordered to stay home unless they are leaving for essentials, such as food, medicine, work or a doctor’s appointment.
Meanwhile, the stock market has seen record low days since the 2009 recession and back to 1987, beginning in February. Trading has been halted for 15 minutes several times since February.
According to scientists and doctors who are working tirelessly to find a vaccine, there are preventative measures that can be taken. Citing CDC and WHO, keeping clean and washing your hands for 20-30 seconds with soap and warm water is a good first line of defense. The soap helps dissolve the fats that surround the spore-like COVID-19 virus to break it down and wash it away should an individual come into contact with the virus.
To avoid the virus, practice social distancing as much as possible. Stay home and only leave when absolutely necessary and when you do, take precautions, such as standing no closer than six feet from anyone else and wipe down surfaces before touching them and regularly wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
People of all ages have become ill and died from COVID-19. Even if a young, healthy person does not become ill but comes into contact with the virus, they can be carriers and pass it to others who could become ill. It is important for everyone to proceed with caution and participate in social distancing as much as possible in order to prevent unnecessary further spread of the disease.
However, some are not so convinced. Bike Week in Daytona Beach was effectively cancelled, with all event permissions revoked the final weekend, but most did not leave. Spring Break goes into early April as students and families from all over the country visit the area. Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry said on Facebook on March 15, “I want to encourage all young people who are on Spring Break to remain home. Daytona Beach will welcome you next year as we always have, but this year please stay home.”
Henry’s continued warnings at a March 17 emergency City Commission meeting fell on deaf ears, with other commission members worried that his calls to impose a curfew and close all bars and clubs for the time being would hurt local businesses. In Miami, Panama City and others, beaches and some establishments selling alcohol after curfew are closed. Volusia County beaches will be closed to driving beginning March 23.
Daytona State College has closed all regional campuses to students and faculty and encouraged them to stay home and practice social distancing. DSC has switched to all online classes following spring break. The classes that were already online began as usual on March 16 and classes scheduled to be face-to-face resumed on March 23 as online only. The college’s academic and support services have also transitioned to online and are available via web chat, email and phone. Students in vocational programs should remain vigilant and check their emails for updates regarding instruction in courses such as nursing, cosmetology, welding and others. DSC is currently transitioning to accommodate all students and faculty.
To learn more about keeping yourself safe, practice self isolation if possible and visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html. To stay updated, you can visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/index.html and for DSC updates, visit http://www.daytonastate.edu/COVID-19/.
(Photo by Kyra Lieberman/In Motion)