The Novel Corona Virus Covid-19 horrifically gripped the entire world with thousands of deaths. Humans are struggling against the advancement of the virus and currently in defensive mode. The world is locked down and the travel is restricted by air, sea and land routes.
Covid-19 Horrifically Gripped the Entire World – Social distancing is the key to prevent the spread of the virus
The world is facing a dark time, the world is at war with this new kind of virus and we have to win this war by abiding the rules set by WHO and the governments. Social distancing for a while is the key to stop the spreading of the said virus.
The researchers and scientists are investigating the virus and yet to prepare any vaccine to cure the deadly disease. When times are uncertain, science is more important than ever and taking guidance and seeking forgiveness from Allah the most beneficent the most merciful becomes more vital.
As a matter of fact, the virus is identified. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the name of the disease as COVID-19 where Co and Vi come from coronavirus, with D stands for the “disease” and 19 standing for 2019, the year the first cases were seen. WHO declared the virus a pandemic.
Historic Epidemics and Pandemics
The pandemic situation is rare but not the first in world history. There were many epidemics and pandemics happened in the past. A list of some historic epidemics and pandemics is as follows.
- Antonine Plague 165-180 Believed to be either smallpox or measles 5M deaths
- Plague of Justinian 541-542 Yersinia pestis bacteria (Rats) fleas) 30-50M deaths
- Japanese smallpox epidemic 735-737 Variola major virus 1M deaths
- Black Death 1347-1351 Yersinia pestis bacteria (Rats, fleas) 200M deaths
- New World Smallpox Outbreak 1520 – onwards Variola major virus 56M deaths
- Great Plague of London 1665 Yersinia pestis bacteria (Rats, fleas) 100,000 deaths
- Italian plague 1629-1631 Yersinia pestis bacteria (Rats, fleas) 1M deaths
- Cholera Pandemics 1-6 1817-1923 V. (cholera bacteria) 1M+ deaths
- Third Plague 1885 (China and India)
Yersinia pestis bacteria (Rats, Fleas) 12M deaths - Yellow Fever Late1800s (U. S.) Virus (Mosquitoes) 100,000-150,000 deaths
- Russian Flu 1889-1890 Believed to be H2N2 (avian origin) 1M deaths
- Spanish Flu 1918-1919 H1N1 virus (Pigs) 40-50M deaths
- Asian Flu 1957-1958 H2N2 virus 1.1M deaths
- Hong Kong Flu 1968-1970 H3N2 virus 1M deaths
- HIV/AIDS 1981-present Virus (Chimpanzees ) 25-35M deaths
- Swine Flu 2009-2010 H1N1 virus (Pigs) 200,000 deaths
- SARS 2002-2003 Coronavirus (Bats, Civets) 770 deaths
- Ebola 2014-2016 Ebolavirus (Wild animals ) 11,000 deaths
- MERS 2015-Present Coronavirus (Bats, camels) 850 deaths
COVID-19 - 2019-Present Coronavirus – Covid-19 (possibly pangolins, bats, etc) 6,400 deaths (as of Mar 15, 2020)
The Current Pandemia – COVID-19
The Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s a rare and the first virus of its kind that can be easily transmitted and affect the person. It is like the flu that can be spread from person to person. When a person who has COVID-19, coughs, sneezes or talks, they may spread droplets containing the virus from a short distance, which quickly transmitted to the person nearby or settle on surrounding surfaces, that’s why, it is more dangerous that you may get infected by the virus if you touch those surfaces or objects that can be a door handle, metal, a piece of paper, glass, anything, any surface and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
That’s why it’s really important to use good hygiene, regularly wash and thoroughly dry your hands, and use good cough etiquette.
Precautionary Measures
Here are some precautionary measures you must take to save yourself, your loved ones and everyone from this deadly disease.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues.
- Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
- Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
- Avoid personal contact, such as sharing glass, cups, utensils, cloths or food with sick people.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.
Social distancing for a while is the key to prevent the spread of the virus until the introduction of a proper vaccine to eliminate this deadly disease from the world.
Waqar Naseem Wamiq
The author is the Chief Editor of Riyadh Xpress. He can be reached at waqarabia@gmail.com
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