The WHO Has Declared The COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak A Pandemic: Here Is What That Means
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On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the COVID-19 coronavirus global emergency is now a pandemic. The UN health agency urged countries worldwide to "double-down" on their efforts to curtail the spread of the infectious disease, which has swept into at least 114 countries and killed over 4,000 people in less than three months.
"WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock, and we're deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore made the assessment that Covid-19 can be characterized by 'pandemic,'" WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
What is a pandemic?
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A viral illness usually starts as an "outbreak." This refers to a large number of people in one area getting infected within a short period of time. For example, the series of measles cases in the US in 2019 was considered an outbreak. If the disease continues to spread extensively, it is termed an "epidemic." According to the WHO, an epidemic is "the occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness ... clearly in excess of normal expectancy."
However, the rapid global spread of COVID-19 — which began as an outbreak with 41 identified cases in Wuhan, China — has clearly gone far beyond the local community and region, transforming into a "pandemic." Scary as it sounds, a pandemic is a loosely-defined term that does not necessarily predict a severely dire outcome. The WHO usually declares a pandemic when a new virus, for which people do not have immunity, spreads around the world beyond expectations.
Dr. Nathalie MacDermott, National Institute for Health Research academic clinical lecturer at King's College London, says: "The change of term does not alter anything practically as the world has been advised for the last few weeks to prepare for a potential pandemic, which has hopefully been taken seriously by all countries. The use of this term, however, highlights the importance of countries throughout the world working cooperatively and openly with one another and coming together as a united front in our efforts to bring this situation under control."
How is the world stepping up to the WHO's call for action?
While governments and corporations worldwide had taken some measures to curb the COVID-19 spread, its new status as a pandemic has elevated the urgency further. Italy, which has reported 10,000 COVID-19 cases, including 1,000 deaths — the worst outbreak outside of China — has imposed severe travel restrictions and banned all public gatherings. All sporting events have also been suspended indefinitely, and schools and universities have been shuttered until at least April 3, 2020.
Spain, with over 4,000 cases, has declared a national state of emergency. In addition to banning non-essential travel, the government has also closed all schools and universities until early April. In the Catalonia region, all businesses and retailers, except for ones selling food or essential goods, have been shut down in the four hardest-hit towns. Madrid, which is the epicenter of almost half of the country's COVID-19 cases, has taken similar measures and closed all restaurants, bars, and shops. Only supermarkets and pharmacies are allowed to remain open.
The US is taking similar measures. Following the WHO announcement, President Trump imposed a 30-day ban on visitors from continental Europe. He also promised to free up as much as $50 billion towards fighting the spread of the virus. The US government is also in the process of approving a bill that will provide free COVID-19 testing for all, and paid sick leave and unemployment insurance for those afflicted with the virus, as well as additional Medicaid funding for local healthcare systems.
Professional sports leagues, including the NBA, NCAA, NHL, and MLB, have either postponed or suspended their 2020 season. A large number of universities across the nation have closed and moved classes online for the rest of the school year. At least a dozen states, including —Ohio, Maryland, New Mexico, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, Louisiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Washington, and Alabama — have closed schools until the end of March or early April. Large retailers, including Apple Inc and Urban Outfitters are shuttering stores globally, while others like Walmart, are cutting store hours. Many American city and town officials have banned large public gatherings, including concerts. Officials are also urging citizens to limit private events to less than 100 guests.
What precautions can I take?
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Experts assert that simple precautions are the key to avoiding the infection. Wash your hands, including your nail tips, frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, and stay away from people displaying flu-like symptoms. Conversely, those experiencing such symptoms should get tested and not go to school, work, or any public area where they risk infecting others.
Given the unprecedented nature of the virus' spread, the situation is certainly not one to be taken lightly. However, thanks to the concerted efforts from government officials, corporations, and individuals, we remain optimistic that the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be contained.
Stay strong, stay healthy. We are all in this together!
Resources: Vox.com, LAtimes.com, www.brusselstimes.com USAtoday.com
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1887 Comments
- x_goddess_xabout 3 yearsI'm really excited for this summer! (Besides the hot heat.) The 5th graders are getting a pool party! A lot of my friends are going, and I'm so excited!
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 years2 COVID birthdays in a row *sighs* I'm gonna be 15 in a few days. And to think this all started when I was 13 almost 14... I agree with @rosepinklegend3 I'm so sick of it I just don't care anymore...
- jazmine2008about 3 yearsyeah my birthday in 2020 was really boring. but this year 2021 was awesome sadly my best friend couldn't come but it was ok
- sokeefe_foreveralmost 3 yearsYay!!! I'm sorry that your best friend couldn't come though!
- roxanne3about 3 yearsMe too...... second week of may for me but this year I was able to have a party!!!!! Small one, but still. Happy birthday!!
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsCovid bdays are the worst *sighs* I feel ya girly
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsYeah, I agree. I wanted to have friends over last year and couldn't even have my best friend who is also my neighbor over...
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsLast year my besties came to my house while I was at dance then when I got home I walked in the door to a big surprise! Thanks again @bookworm34! (she is the only one of my friends that has a dogo account XD) anyway, Happy Birthday!!
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsThank you! I was to go for walks with her on our street and have her over occasionally after a while!
- x_goddess_xabout 3 yearsI'm so sorry to hear that! But, please be patient! And you're old enough for the vaccine! Did you get it? That's one step closer to being free!
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsActually, the mask mandate in PA is finally ending 2 days after my birthday, so yay!!!!
- x_goddess_xabout 3 yearsGreat for you! Still, be careful!
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsFor sure! I definitely will be!
- wolfy_blueabout 3 yearsI had two Covid brithdays too. Mine was right after covid started (2019) and in 2020. Also Covid started around Thanksgiving not May.
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsYes, but it actually started affecting lots of people in the U.S in February and March. So not technically
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsNo I mean my 2020 bday was during covid and now I'm gonna have another one so that makes 2. The mask mandate ends just AFTER my bday unfortunately, but I can wait that long.
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsMine is in July. I have a covid bday last year it sucked. Happy Early Birthday!
- wolfiedreamabout 3 years2019 was my first covid birthday and my sister had an amazing tenth birthday but I couldn't even have friends over, much less have a sleepover and go to the movies
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsI honestly don't care anymore XD I am so sick of it.
- wolfy_blueabout 3 yearsJust be patient. It will eventually go away at some point.
- x_goddess_xabout 3 yearsThat's what they think, but we could also try and get heard immunity.
- kittyfanlover11about 3 yearsIf your 12 and older, get vaccinated!
- roxanne3about 3 yearsMy friend got her first dose yesterday!! I'm getting mine next weekend!!
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsMine did too! Yesterday she was all tried and sore and her arm hurt.
- scarr-rredabout 3 yearsThe vaccination is only for adults 16 and older. 😅
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsNow its for 12 and older
- mico14about 3 yearsI had to get a test🙁😷it fills weird and I did not like it at all🙎
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsIkr! I got one in the summer and it was not a great experience. :p
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsCan't wait until no more masks! I know the virus is still around, but I think the numbers are going down. They keep shifting up and down, but it isn't getting worse, definitely just better.
- mico14about 3 yearsI can't wait till no more masks
- wolfy_blueabout 3 yearsMy aunt's grandma passed away from covid 😞 So please try to wash your hands for atleast 20 seconds and get the vaccine as soon as you can.
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsOh no! Thats so sad :(
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsOh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I don't know anyone who passed away from COVID, but I do know to people who got pneumonia. One was 72 and the other was 95 or 96 and she has gotten pneumonia from a cold before. I had gotten COVID, but it was actually less bad than a cold... I hope the rest of your family is doing good!
- scarr-rredabout 3 yearsMy condolences, @wolfieland. I am very sorry for you. Some people I know (like my brother) only rinses his hands with water. No soap at all. My prayers go out to your family and your aunt's grandmother..🙌🏼
- x_goddess_xabout 3 yearsWow. He should know better!
- toffabout 3 yearsIt's so sad that people are dying from thissss
- kittyfanlover11about 3 yearsOmg, I am so sorry @wolfieland!
- iris_shadowfireabout 3 yearsomg i am so sorry!!!! god bless wolfieland and her family r.i.p😭😭
- x_goddess_xabout 3 yearsKeep wearing masks, an PLZ GET VACCINATED!! Kids might be able to get it soon too! Wash your hands, and sanitize! Covid is still here!
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsHi everyone! COVID is slowly but surely going away, and yeah, it sucks that we had to live with it for so long and still are, but, while it will never completely go away, HOPEFULLY the cases will drop to a low enough number that we won't have to wear masks and everything will be mostly normal! #hope!
- sedjroabout 3 years#hope
- purple_peach744about 3 yearsThings are really starting to open up in Utah!! Yay! Our state mask mandate ended like almost a month ago!
- sokeefe_foreverabout 3 yearsI'm so happy for you! I wish PA would loose the mask mandate : (
- wolfy_blueabout 3 yearsGood for you!
- 3ndl3ss_m3rcyabout 3 yearsI cannot believe it's been over a year... Time flies 🕓
- x_goddess_xabout 3 yearsIt's so sad!