If you’ve logged into any type of social media lately or turned on the news, you’ve probably seen updates about coronavirus. Student Health Services states that “coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the viruses that cause SARS and MERS.” The virus has spread at a rapid rate, and the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency. They are working with health specialists and professionals to keep the virus contained and people informed.
To gain more insight about the coronavirus and its severity, I interviewed Frank Scholle, an associate professor in the department of biological sciences and virology specialist.
I asked him about the implications of this virus and how it will affect the U.S.
“A coronavirus expert that I looked at is fully expecting this to turn into a pandemic,” Scholle said. “If that happens, it will go through the population, it will do whatever damage it does, and that’s always the problem with these infections that are coming fresh from animals into the human populations; we have no preexisting immunity to these things.”
Scholle said there is also a difference in treatments between countries; for example, during the Ebola outbreak of 2014-2015, there were a lot of deaths in Africa, but most of those who were infected and came back for treatment in the U.S. survived.
“If it does become a bigger outbreak and affect multiple countries, the countries that are poorer countries are going to suffer a lot more,” Scholle said.
Due to the outbreak of this virus, many Chinese cultural festivals around the world are being canceled. According to Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff spoke out about why he decided to cancel this year’s Chinese lantern festival.
“It’s sad that the festival won’t be going ahead this year, but it’s important to respect the wishes of Auckland’s Chinese community, many of whom don’t feel it is appropriate to celebrate the festival given the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in China and its toll on life there,” Goff said.
Chinese officials have issued many rules about quarantine, staying inside and avoiding contact with others. The New York Times reports that Beijing is imposing stricter rules on people who are returning to the city. Chinese state-run television announced on its website on Friday evening that everyone returning to Beijing would be required to isolate themselves for 14 days. Any citizens who don’t follow these rules would be “held accountable according to law.”
Chinese lantern festivals are being canceled in the U.S. as well. According to the New York Post, Miami officials running the festival made a public statement about the festival.
“In order to stand with our global family throughout Asia—especially China, we regret to announce that the 2020 Chinese New Year Festival has been cancelled,” organizers wrote. “We will be back in 2021 to celebrate the Year of the Ox.”
Having such a critical and symbolic event canceled for Chinese individuals is tragic, but it is heartwarming to see that these festivals are being postponed to show solidarity and respect for those suffering in China due to the coronavirus.
While it is imperative to keep yourself informed about the coronavirus, Scholle had some advice about the fear and concern that U.S. citizens are engaging in.
“I think amid all this coronavirus excitement and worry, it’s also important to not forget this: We already live with a respiratory disease that causes anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 deaths in the U.S. every year despite the availability of a vaccine and antiviral drugs — our regular seasonal influenza.”
