COVID-19 : The Truth Comes Out

What Is Coronavirus?

COVID-19, more commonly known as coronavirus, is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, much like influenza (flu). The word "corona" is Latin for "crown", and the virus was named thus for its crown-shaped antigens. And no, I did not get this information from a website, since they would not give such simple information about such a widespread disease. I've actually stopped reading such sites about this disease because I've found that the most infectious part of this disease is the false information that the media gives about it. Coronavirus is getting more attention than it needs. All it needs is a few simple hygiene practices and the information in this post to keep your chances of getting the infection low.

What Is A Virus?

Viruses are small pathogens that attack living cells. They are very microscopic; one virus is about 100 times smaller than your average bacterium. Despite what people think, viruses are nonliving pathogens. The only way they can reproduce is by hijacking, or taking over, a living cell, such as a blood cell. The coronavirus hijacks cells in the respiratory system, specifically the cells in lungs. This causes problems in breathing. Viruses attack cells in such a way that once the cell is hijacked, it is now an unhealthy, or infected, cell. The virus inputs its DNA and proteins into the new host cell, and the cell starts replicating the viral DNA instead of its own. Once more viruses have been produced, the main virus kills the cell and billions of more viruses make their way into the body. They attack more cells, and soon the body/host becomes a factory for the virus. If not treated, the patient itself loses control over its parts, causing organ failure, and eventually dies. We won't be getting into the immune system now, because I still have a lot to say about the coronavirus.

Why Is There So Much Mayhem About Coronavirus?

As I mentioned before, this disease gets way too much attention from the media and the public. Superstitions about shipments from China have began and everyone's frantic because they don't want to die. And that's fair! But these stupid myths and rumors made by the media to get everyone's attention are of no use. In fact, I'm going to break some myths about coronavirus that you probably thought were true.

     1. Coronavirus emerged from drinking bat soup

Bat soup was thought to have been the origin of coronavirus until just recently. Researchers have found that putting bats into sweet and sour sauce has not caused thousands of people to die, rather, the wet markets in Wuhan caused the virus to be born. Wet markets contain dead animal products (very unhygienic) all smushed into one unclean chamber. Scientists have found that this was the cause of coronavirus. So continue to love the adorableness of baby bats (or don't), but just don't mistake them for the cause of your fears.

     2. Products from China will give me coronavirus

No, this is not true. Like I said before, viruses only attack living cells. So unless a shipment from China is a human in a box, it's not going to get you sick. Also, coronavirus only survives on nonliving objects for nine hours; then, it dies. Since China is halfway around the globe, coronavirus isn't going to survive on that long.

     3. I will definitely die from coronavirus

There is a chance, but then again, you have a higher chance of dying from the flu than from coronavirus. With any type of disease, people with low immunity are more likely to suffer from symptoms of the disease. Such people include the elderly, newborns and toddlers, people with diabetes, heart conditions, or any other immunodeficient condition. However, by taking simple precautions, like washing your hands for twenty seconds, the chances of you even receiving the virus are very slim.

     4. All Asians have the coronavirus, but have developed an immunity to it

This is one of those media myths that make you mad. I have many friends who are from China. They have been mistreated like there's no tomorrow, and it annoys me that some people are dumb enough to think that they carry the coronavirus, but just haven't shown symptoms because they have a natural immunity to it. I see why people have the superstition—maybe a family member from China visited them and passed the virus on—but people don't realize that they need a screening done before getting past security. So please, don't discriminate against all Asians. However, if someone does show signs of isolation (wears surgical or gas mask, stays away from others, covers whole body in clothing), don't take your chances.

What Can I Do To Stay Safe?

Some precautions can be taken that aren't dumb like boycotting Chinese goods. For starters, wash your hands. It may seem like very little, but washing your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds before meals and other activities can really help. Also follow the procedure after using the restroom and before doing anything that requires putting your hands near your face (e.g. doing your makeup, combing your hair). Don't go within a six-foot radius of a person that is coughing or sneezing. The coronavirus can spread that way. If droplets of cough/sneeze saliva happen to get on your skin, don't panic. Wash your hands immediately and remember that skin and hair cells are dead. You've also probably heard that stores are flat sold out of hand sanitizers. Here's a tip of advice: they don't work on coronavirus; or any virus, for that matter. Since hand sanitizers are anti-bacterial, viruses have an immunity to the alcohol in them. So no matter how much you use, it won't protect you from coronavirus. The only thing you're doing is killing millions of helpful bacteria on your palms that could actually help protect you from coronavirus. As a healthier alternative, just wash your hands. Lastly, stay advised about coronavirus. It is very hard trying to come up with a vaccination because of the ever-changing antigens on its surface, but you never know. Also stay notified because new cases could appear out of nowhere—maybe even in your town. So stay cautious and carry a surgical mask with you, just in case.

Hopefully, this post helped inform you about this very new viral outbreak, but just like any other disease, the outbreak season will end someday. Until then, just keep washing your hands.