Staff Writer

Covid-19 is a respiratory disease that is labeled as a novel coronavirus; novel means that this virus is new. The virus showed in Wuhan, China on Tuesday, Dec. 31, after several cases of “pneumonia” were treated. It has been four months since then, and the virus has spread worldwide, infecting 1.6 million people and killing over 100,000.  

Dr. Li Wenliang, who is known as the “whistleblower” for letting the public know that these cases could blow out of proportion, was detained by Chinese authorities and made to sign a document that stated what he said was untrue. He died on Friday, Feb. 7 from the virus and has been hailed as a hero for telling the truth.  

After China reported its first death on Saturday, Jan. 11, more cases started popping up in other countries. On Monday, Jan. 20, the United States had its first case, a man in his 30’s from Washington who had traveled back from Wuhan. Three days later, Wuhan, with a population of 11 million, was put on a total lockdown. The past four months the virus has been spreading at an unbelievably fast rate, infecting people who could spread the virus before symptoms even showed up. Countries started going into lockdown, not letting anyone travel in or out in fear of another outbreak. On Wednesday, March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus an epidemic, and two days later U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency. In four months, the coronavirus has spread across the world, to every continent except Antartica, throwing everyone’s lives into disarray. 

 The Tokyo Olympics were delayed until 2021, as well as everything being shut down. Restaurants’ lobbies closed and stores were shut down, aside from grocery stores. Because of the stay-at-home order, many people are without jobs. The United States’ unemployment rates are up to 13%, worse than the Great Depression. Over 17 million people applied for unemployment. To help with the pandemic, America began sending out stimulus checks this week.  

The World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebrehyesus said in his media briefing over Covid-19 on Tuesdsay, March 3,  “Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected.”  

Initially, WHO had estimated 2% as a mortality rate in a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 29 and again on Monday, Feb. 10.  

Social distancing is a huge task right now in order to slow down the number of cases, so hospitals can keep up. With most everything shut down, except for essential business, people in Kansas, and many other states, are under a stay–at–home order. Social distancing is also  important help to those who are immunocompromised.  On Friday, April 3, the CDC recommended that everyone should cover their faces with a mask or something similar. There are videos and tutorials on how to make one if you do not own one.  

The symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough and most importantly, shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can be hard to identify; an example is if you are not able to take in a full breath. To keep yourself and other healthy, contact the COVID-19 hotline or call your doctor if you develop symptoms or come in to contact with someone who has it or was exposed. Do not go into the ER or a doctor’s office without calling beforehand and letting them know, you could be putting others’ lives in danger.  

There are simple ways to keep you and others healthy such as washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or something easier to remember, as long as It takes to sing happy birthday twice. It is also recommended that we avoid touching our eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 

April 16th UPDATE 

New York city is currently sitting at 214,832 positive cases, and 12,192 deaths. FEMA made a statement saying they have 1.1 billion in federal money to help New York.  

As of Thursday April 16th, there are 632,220 positive cases in the United States, as well as 31,071 deaths.  

As of Thursday April 11th, there are 1,588 positive cases in Kansas, and 80 deaths. The Kansas governor Laura Kelly extended the stay at home order on April 15th, it is in effect until May 3rd.