Coronavirus — A Test for Humanity
The world-disrupting coronavirus has changed the way the modern world operates. As of May 2020, more Americans have died of coronavirus than died in the Vietnam War. According to WorldOMeters, there have been about 6.7 million coronavirus cases worldwide, with 400,000 deaths, forcing nations to go on lockdown. Now that most people are forced to work from home, and the U.S. has seen an unprecedented level of unemployment, it is vital that average Americans have reliable, unbiased information about the virus and how our government and businesses are responding to the pandemic.
What is this novel coronavirus? The coronavirus, scientifically known as SARS-CoV-2, can cause an acute respiratory viral immune response, known as COVID-19. The virus attacks the lungs and is one of the more virulent coronaviruses, of which there are many. Originating among a bat population in the Wuhan province of China, the virus was contained in a research lab, where a spill of lab samples containing the virus is apparently the reason researchers in the lab first contracted the virus.
Coronavirus spreads rapidly, like influenza: by droplets from coughing and sneezing, and by coming into contact with a surface containing the contagion, called a fomite. According to the CDC, Older and immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk than younger populations, and the virus appears to hit men more violently than women. Since the virus is relatively new, a laboratory test is the only effective way to get tested via nasopharyngeal swab or an antibody test from a blood sample. Despite the virulence of this disease, there have been examples of responses by countries that have succeeded in containing the coronavirus pandemic. According to the New York Times, South Korea has eagerly attacked the pandemic by taking immediate and effective action in the form of “swift action, widespread testing and contact tracing, and critical support from citizens,” including shutting down schools much earlier than neighboring countries with the virus. According to ABC News, Coronavirus tests are widespread in South Korea — costing under 20 dollars. Anyone in South Korea who is very sick can immediately be “admitted to a designated hospital, free of charge.” Moreover, if they are “asymptomatic or only have mild symptoms but are worried about infecting [their] family” can be housed in a “designated quarantine facility for two weeks.” This demonstrates an easy, swift, and cost-effective approach to the pandemic that novel to South Korea, but indicative of the efficient responses to the pandemic that characterize Asian countries. By contrast, western countries, such as the United States and most of Europe, failed to respond quickly in the early phases of the virus, resulting in catastrophic losses. Despite having ample resources to enact containment policies similar to Asian countries, and despite instituting shelter-in-place and other lockdown orders, western countries responded with drastic measures only after the virus had spread considerably among the population. As a result, containing it before dramatic losses of life occurred was nearly impossible.
Regardless of the response, both western and Asian countries are experiencing new cases. Though early reports out of China by China Briefing, China had claimed no new cases of coronavirus since late March, by early May, the virus had been confirmed once again in Wuhan Province and few others like Shandong, Sichuan, and Jilin. In the United States, the death toll continues to rise as citizens divided about policy continue to ignore CDC recommendations to socially distance and wear masks in public spaces. With numbers continuing to increase, billions of lives have suddenly transformed. But what exactly has changed?
First, coronavirus has struck a severe blow to the global economy; According to The Guardian, most western countries are nearing a recession and stock markets are continuing to plummet. According to the BBC, “Investors fear the spread of coronavirus will destroy economic growth and that government action may not be enough to stop the decline”. For example, in the U.S., the number of people filing for unemployment by late April rose to a new record of 30 million; it is projected to reach 47 million by the end of July. Due to new social distancing rules and a loss of employment, fewer people are driving their cars, which is detrimentally impacting the economy. The price of oil, the “black gold” of American commerce, has shockingly dropped below 0 dollars, as producers are frantically jettisoning surplus oil. Due to new social distancing rules of staying six feet apart, almost all public gatherings and events that earn large revenues have been canceled. Such events include Coachella and the 2020 Summer Olympics, which generate millions in revenue. Tourism has come to a grinding halt, as airlines have canceled the majority of their routes. Cruise ships, once a summer refuge for vacationing families, remain docked at ports worldwide.
A lot has changed because of the coronavirus, with the most notable changes occurring within the home. As American teens struggle with online teaching platforms, the majority of which were haphazardly put together and lack even basic capabilities, adult populations who still have a job are struggling with online meetings. Millions of Americans who were unaccustomed to using video conferencing software are now completely reliant upon it. According to Mass.gov, however, some exceptions include essential employees, like grocery store employees, restaurants, healthcare, and first responders. Doctors and nurses also are working double shifts curing coronavirus patients. Yet, even these jobs contain unexpected challenges. Essential workers are still working, but they often do so at their own peril. Most major retailers in the U.S. are not enforcing statewide mandates to only let customers into shops who wear masks, thus endangering employees left with few options. In an attempt to serve our essential employees, there has been a flurry of volunteering activities such as delivering food, starting food banks and fundraisers, and the mask movement. This silver lining is one we must cling to as our world faces an uncertain future; we must remember that empathy is a core component of the human condition and focus our attention on the things we can change in these times of uncertainty. Coronavirus has helped people connect with each other on new levels; neighbors provide mutual aid by delivering groceries to the immunocompromised and those unable to leave their homes. Students have been collaborating to create 3D printing masks, which are in high demand, for nurses and doctors serving in hospitals.
Personally, I have witnessed in my own Silicon Valley community that less wealthy neighborhoods have been affected much more by the coronavirus than affluent neighborhoods. For the past year, I have volunteered for the nonprofit organization Sunday Friends, which connects low-income families with learning activities that promote positive development. During my time volunteering, I learned that most families at our events lacked an internet connection, and many lack even a basic computer. This means that after the coronavirus hit and shelter-in-place orders went into effect, they lacked the necessary resources to educate their children or attend social gatherings online. This is why several organizations in my community have started fundraisers to provide low-income families with a means of communication. Companies such as Verizon have created low-income internet services, such as the Lifeline Program, to provide low-cost internet service to families in need. Companies such as Google are giving free resources to students. Workday is being generous by matching employee donations to help school districts cope with the need for more resources. To give back to my community and serve those most in need, I have joined as a teacher at Silicon Valley Youth, which has created online summer enrichment courses that benefit those most impacted by the coronavirus. By donating 100% of our profits to school relief funds, we are setting an example for other companies in Silicon Valley to use this as an opportunity to benefit those most in need.
Throughout this pandemic, I have watched the social reality of my environment change drastically. Many of my friends whom I would hang out with often have taken to a heavy increase in social platform activity. Social media and how it is often viewed as a “great connector” of disparate people when, in fact, the algorithms it uses only connects you with people and content that they think you will like. As a result, people’s worlds are actually shrinking and they are not engaging with other groups of people. Many have also expressed a complete change in their daily schedules, such as shifting their normal schedule up to 3 hours later or spending extreme amounts of time to activities such as binging Netflix, YouTube, or video games. To put in a broader lens, I feel that if this shelter in place is in order for a long time, many people will resort to bad habits as such, and may struggle to assimilate with normal conditions. Because online classes had been condensed, students may have a hard time getting used to longer in-person classes, and others may find commuting to work more painful than ever before. That being said, not all effects of the stay-at-home order are malicious. I myself have been able to keep in touch with people I care about more. Since most of my friends have more spare time, I have been involved in more socially relevant activities with them such as games and hackathons. Nature and the environment are having a fast rebound from the negative effects of artificial carbon emissions. According to BBC, “we could see a long-lasting positive environmental change after the pandemic”.
All things considered, the coronavirus has taken the entire world by storm. The deadly pathogen was first uncovered in the province of Wuhan, China, causing staggering casualties globally. Several countries, especially in east Asia, have dealt with the situation efficiently and should be used as examples by all other countries. The lockdown initiated by most governments has dealt a severe blow to the global economy, such as extremely low oil prices, decimated small businesses, and tourism and high-revenue gatherings coming to a standstill. People have resorted to the tough transition of working online. The lockdown has swept away a big part of our day-to-day lives, but however, there is a silver lining. People have come together to volunteer and help out more people — showing human kindness through these trying times. The environment is also experiencing a natural comeback. Although things may seem grim at the moment, the lockdown will eventually be lifted, a cure will be found, bringing everything back to normal. At the end of the whole situation, I am convinced that humanity will persevere and come out stronger and smarter than ever before.
