Searcy, AR (LP) — The Coronavirus is new and is set to cause problems the world over. It has grown more and more prevalent, affecting millions. However, with only 12 cases in the United States, some may wonder if Searcy should be concerned at all.
Nearing the end of 2019, the city of Wuhan, China became global news seemingly overnight. This is due to the sudden outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a betacoronavirus that is similar to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The likeness to SARS is enough to induce fear in all those who remember the SARS outbreak of 2003 which amassed over 700 deaths. However, according to some reports, the 2o19-nCoV is set to top those statistics if they haven’t already.
However, the number is hard to figure as Chinese officials are not overly forthcoming on these kinds of issues. It is a commonly held belief among historians and medical professionals that, had these officials been more open about their records and findings, the 2003 SARS epidemic would not have been as severe as it was and might have even been stopped before it could do as much as it did. However, even if they are planning to be more open than last time around, 2019-nCoV is not going down without a fight. Just today, it claimed the life of Li Wenliang, the first doctor to attempt to warn the public of its existence. On top of that, the disease has spread to countries including Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and even 12 cases here in the United States. Last month, the World Health Organization declared the 2019-nCoV to be a “global health emergency.” It is abundantly evident that the disease will last for some time.
Yet with all of this, there are many here at home who feel this is no more than a passing fad, a momentary matter that will fade from memory sooner than later. One of these is Mrs. Amanda Simpson, a mother and history teacher at Searcy High School. “I am not at all concerned. I absolutely think that people are overreacting. No, I don’t think that it will become a big deal.” And Simpson does have valid reasoning behind her. Scientists still do not know exactly how lethal or transmittable the disease is. In fact, there are many unanswered questions about 2019-nCoV. Questions such as: How long after contraction do symptoms occur? or How mild are can symptoms be? or even Where is it? There are countless reasons not to be concerned just because there are unanswered questions, does that mean it should be ignored? Unconcerned member of the government say no.
“As of right now, we are not allowing foreign nationals who have travelled to Wuhan to enter the U.S. and Americans who have travelled there are only allowed to enter into one of a few airports and they must be quarantined. I think these measures make sense. I’m confident that the CDC and the WHO have plans in place for a pandemic of this magnitude and that the federal government will listen to the experts,” said Simpson. United States President Donald J. Trump echoes a similar sentiment in a tweet released today. “Just had a long and very good conversation by phone with President Xi of China. He is strong, sharp and powerfully focused on leading the counterattack on the Coronavirus. He feels they are doing very well, even building hospitals in a matter of only days. Nothing is easy, but he will be successful, especially as the weather starts to warm & the virus hopefully becomes weaker, and then gone. Great discipline is taking place in China, as President Xi strongly leads what will be a very successful operation. We are working closely with China to help!” tweeted Trump. It seems to be a common belief that a problem is a problem.
So, perhaps it isn’t here and maybe it doesn’t pose any direct threat to us. But it still is a problem. And it should be treated, not ignored. Thankfully, there are those who take care of these things. For further reading, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
