The world is currently in a crisis. The coronavirus epidemic that started in China mere months ago is now a worldwide pandemic. Cities are on lockdown in order to prevent this highly contagious disease from spreading.
The coronavirus causes the respiratory disease known as COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to those of a cold or the flu and can appear between 2–14 days following exposure. Currently, the global death rate is 3.4% with people over 60 at the highest risk. This seemly low number is higher compared to the death rate of the flu: 0.01%. The fear of the disease, however, is what is causing the mass hysteria.
On March 14th, President Donald J. Trump announced the pandemic as a national emergency as the number of cases rises in the United States. This comes along with the new travel bans on people entering the United States from Europe, the current hub of the outbreak.
Despite the outbreak being named a national emergency this week, Georgia’s Governor Brian P. Kemp announced a coronavirus task force on March 2nd. In a statement, he said, “Georgia’s coronavirus task force represents a coalition of subject-matter experts from the private and public sectors who will work together on preventative measures, strategic deployment of resource, and collaboration across all levels of government.” On March 12th, during a press conference, the governor named committees for his task force. Some of the committees are the Emergency Preparedness Committee, led by General John King, and the Committee for the Homeless and Displaced, led by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The governor also gave all school districts the freedom to implement closures for the next two weeks. He urged the public to stay calm in this current time of chaos.
Counties in Georgia are also taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I reached out to the Chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, Charlotte J. Nash, for a statement on how the county is handling the pandemic. She informed me that “There is no need for panic but there is every reason to take precautions that can help protect individuals, especially the most vulnerable, and slow the rate at which COVID-19 spreads.” The county has had its plan for the community health emergency in place for weeks and is working with the Public Health Department to provide resources for the citizens and businesses in the community. Gwinnett County Schools are currently closed for the week of March 16th-20th with students participating in digital learning days. The Gwinnett Judicial System has also suspended all jury trials and many other judicial proceedings. The Library System has suspended the use of community rooms and programming but the branches themselves are still open. As for the Presidental Preference Primary, it has been rescheduled to May 19th, 2020.
With everything seemly standing still due to the coronavirus, life is changing as we know it. The lack of in-person interaction may seem extreme seeing as the recovery rate is high compared to the mortality rate. However, these measures taken not only by the U.S. government but by the state of Georgia and Gwinnett County are to protect the citizens from the disease, so life can go back to normal soon. China, the origin of the outbreak, went on full-lockdown and reported only new 8 cases of the virus on March 13th. With the rates going down, China will hopefully return to normal, and the U.S. will follow the same path. For now, be sure to wash your hands and stay away from crowded areas. The only way for things to return to normal is to stay healthy and safe.
References:
Cdc. (2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
China reported only 8 new coronavirus cases Friday. 3 were imported. Retrieved March 14, 2020, from news.yahoo.com/china-reported-only-8-coronavirus-110543023.html
GCPS. Retrieved March 14, 2020, from gwinnett.k12.ga.us/
Gov. Kemp Names Coronavirus Task Force. In Governor Brian P. Kemp Office of the Governor. Retrieved March 14, 2020, from gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020–03–02/gov-kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force
Gov. Kemp Urges Calm, Announces Coronavirus Task Force Subcommittees. In Governor Brian P. Kemp Office of the Governor. Retrieved March 14, 2020, from gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020–03–12/gov-kemp-urges-calm-announces-coronavirus-task-force-subcommittees
LaPook, J. (2020). The facts about coronavirus: What you need to know. www.cbsnews.com/news/the-facts-about-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/
Perper, R. (2020). Latest coronavirus global death rate is 3.4%, age a major factor — Business Insider. Business Insider. www.businessinsider.com/who-confirms-coronavirus-global-death-rate-rises-fatalities-numbers-2020-3
Story | Gwinnett County. Retrieved March 14, 2020, from www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/home/stories/viewstory?story=CoronavirusOutbreak_031320
