SARS-CoV-2 Virus | History | Science | Data
With the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, it is important for all of us to understand the virus and why we have to take precautions.
What is SARS-CoV-2 Virus?
Corona means crown and, as shown above, the virus is made up of multiple components shaped like a crown on its outer layer. A large group of viruses infects a wide range of birds and mammals. This virus is deadly because it can mutate over time, becoming more powerful as it has time to change and adapt. Over time, this virus found its way to jump from one species to another, constantly seeking new hosts. Then it learned to jump from one human to another, creating the ongoing pandemic that has killed more than 445,000 people and infecting more than 12.1 million people around the world.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS), CoV or SARS-CoV-1, first emerged in China in 2002 and lasted for almost two years, reportedly killing 774 people. Then, the virus mutated and made its way back into humans as a viral respiratory infection called the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), also known as The Camel Flu. Large outbreaks occurred in South Korea in 2015 and Saudi Arabia in 2018.
The virus mutated again, becoming stronger and more contagious. SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China in 2019, this time originating from bats.
Asymptomatic spread
Even if we can identify common signs and symptoms of infection, they can vary. Some people show no symptoms at all and are asymptomatic but still can pass it down to someone else.
The Bigger Picture
Before exploring more on SAR-CoV-2 and analyzing the data, we have to understand the bigger picture. Humans have always suffered from illnesses originating from the animal kingdom.
Humans have pets, and most humans consume different kinds of animal meat. Because of the constant contact humans have with different kinds of animals, this makes us more vulnerable. Hunting and eating wild animals is not safe at all. Selling and buying wild meat may be cheaper but it has greater consequences. Wild animals come in contact with various kinds of viruses and germs in their daily lives. Therefore, it is important to not consume wild animals.
This a long discussion that involves industrialization, capitalism, individual responsibility, animal rights, health protection, and more. But this discussion about ending the consumption of wild animals needs to happen.
SARS-CoV-2 Virus Cases and Deaths
Data Science Note: R, Python, and Excel were used for the data analysis.
The United States was doing well at the end of May 2020, but then daily cases skyrocketed. Brazil is also another country that is not doing well. Ignorance and the lack of individual responsibility contributed to these rising numbers, unfortunately.
Most of the states in the South and the Northeast have the highest death rates in the US. On the other side, most of the western states have the lowest death rates. An important thing to keep in mind is that population density plays a big role in infection. A high population density can overwhelm the health care system and healthcare workers.
The total cases and deaths from the US make up around a quarter of the total percentage of global cases and deaths.
Why You Should Wear A Mask?
Many folks around the globe have been wearing masks to protect themselves. But for others, it has become a debate with some protesting against it and not wearing it at all. As of this moment, masks are the biggest vaccine we have.
Infected people have the virus in their mouths, noses, and throats. Droplets come out when we’re talking, laughing, coughing, and sneezing and those droplets can enter another person’s mouth, nose, or eyes.
Why 6 feet or more?
Droplets can travel 6 feet when we talk, laugh, sneeze, cough, shout, and sing. It can land in another person’s mouth, nose, or eyes and open surfaces.
Masks and 6 feet distance between humans can reduce the transmission.
Covid-19 Information Sources
John Hopkins University
Learn More About SARS-CoV-2 by taking the COVID-19 Contact Tracing course from John Hopkins University:
Data Sources
HDX
WorldOMeter
