By Javier Arce

The COVID-19 pandemic is still working its way through the world, but what is it and how did we get to where we are now?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that has affected most of the world’s population. The disease is caused by the viral pathogen know as SARS-cov-2 or coronavirus, a virus that belongs to the same family as the SARS disease that killed thousands of people in 2002. The virus has that name due to its form, having peaks around it that look like a crown, and that helps the pathogen adhere to lung cells to release its genetic code, explained researchers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

It started last year as an epidemic outbreak in central China, Wuhan, from the wet market in which wild animals were (and still are) slaughtered and sold for their consumption. Just like many other viruses that have infected humans, there is substantial evidence that affirms that the disease has started first in the wild animals that were being sold in the Chinese market according to the Chinese Department of Health.

Recently in February 2020, the virus spread throughout the world, after various people were found infected in Europe, creating turmoil and panic in the world-wide population. So far Italy has the most reported cases in Europe, which reported more than 100,000 positive cases and an increasing death rate from the disease according to the authorities of the country. The disease is also affecting most other European countries including Great Britain, Germany, France and especially Spain.

The disease first starts as mild influenza, affecting the airways, which then creates nasal congestion along with the typical symptoms of the flu; headaches, high fever, in some cases it worsens causing high fever and breathing problems. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of the cases do not need to go to a hospital because it can be self-treated. Out of the other 20%, 15% might develop pneumonia that has to be attended by a doctor, and the other 5% are most likely to die from the disease.

In April,  the virus has reached most of the world’s countries and infected over a million people. This outbreak has forced the world’s leaders to take drastic action. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has taken into consideration the many prevention measures needed to stop the spread of the disease. These actions include self-quarantine at home to stop the transmission of the virus, the closing of many airports to stop the flow of newcomers with possible signs of the disease, and the closing of many schools and places with a great concentration of people.

Among the most affected countries around the world we find Italy and China, these countries have lost thousands of lives, and the US being the country with the largest quantity of positive cases, and the number still increasing.

The most affected states in the US are New York and New Jersey. Even though authorities closed schools, stores, parks among other places, the virus has spread in these states at an exponential rate causing our current situation. The city of Passaic has reported more than a thousand positive cases and the rate is still is rising. The number could be greater since many infected people have decided to stay home because all the hospitals are either overloaded or close to capacity.

Experts expect that the number of infected people will reach the maximum point during late-April and after that, it will begin to decrease. Even though the infection may cease at the end of April, our schools could be close until May or even June. As of the writing of this article, Governor Murphy has not made the final decision to close the schools past May 15.

The quarantine is having a great impact on the American Economy, many people have lost their job and small businesses are being hurt. Many businesses are going bankrupt at an incredible rate. The government has taken unprecedented measures, giving checks to individuals to get them through the long quarantine period. Another program in the stimulus is giving loans and grants to businesses affected by the closure. Hopefully this will boost to the economy. 

For the moment, the only thing we can do is enjoy our time with our families, work on our online classes, watch some movies, but most importantly remember to stay home to be safe.