Across the world, people have been experiencing a hysteria about the recently spreading coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Starting in Wuhan, China, the virus quickly spread to other countries and is now in America. There are an estimated 938 cases in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated last on March 11, 2020.
According to the CDC, the very first cases in Wuhan are linked to a live animal market, but now is spreading among humans. Coronavirus is a large family of viruses, the feline coronavirus does not usually contract to humans, but in this case, it is suspected that the virus in humans was contracted from animals.
“What I know about coronavirus is that the coronavirus has been around but there’s just new strands of it now. So kind of like the flu has always been around but there are new strands of it,” junior Alaycea Kremeier said.
For Kremeier, the virus is not alarming because there is only one confirmed case of the virus in Kansas, specifically in Johnson County, according to KCUR. Elderly people, especially those with preexisting conditions like diabetes, heart disease and lung disease may be severely affected by the newly spreading virus, this worries both Kremeier and many other Americans. Senior foreign exchange student, Widly Noceti is worried about the coronavirus simply because it will prevent him from going to his home country, Italy.
“What worries me is that I’m not going home because of [coronavirus], but also for my parents, who are still in Italy,” Noceti said.
As of Tuesday, the United Nations announced that 22 countries on three continents have closed down because of the virus. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated in an NPR article that they are working to continue learning for the disadvantaged children in poor countries who have been hit by the virus. China has more than 233 million children who are out of their learning environments. Although no Kansas schools have closed down, English teacher Scott McCloud believes it is in our best interest to go online.
“No schools in Kansas have closed to my knowledge, except some universities have gone online, after spring break so many kids are going to travel and who knows where they’re going to be, so maybe we should think about online school after spring break,” McCloud said.
Prevention for the coronavirus starts with the simple things, such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow and washing your hands regularly. Some people also recommend staying out of largely populated and crowded areas.
“Don’t travel at all or go to concerts or places where there are so many people. I think that’s the most important,” Noceti said.