Are you tired yet of hearing about COVID-19? It has been on the news and on our minds for most of 2020. COVID-19 is not something that will be forgotten anytime soon. What has made this virus so much different than others? The politicizing of the virus and the regulations surrounding it are some of the main things that make COVID-19 different from other viral infections. This virus has also brought about mask-wearing controversies, stay-at-home orders, job loss, and a huge impact on the economy. So what makes COVID-19 different from the flu and other seasonal illnesses? Here are some interesting facts and information about the virus.
Survival and infection rate
To hear the mainstream media talk, you would think people were dropping dead left and right on the streets from COVID-19 related problems. I don’t want to trivialize the deaths and long-term effects associated with the virus. No one can argue that this virus has wreaked havoc on our country. But many people aren’t aware that the survival rate for COVID-19 is very high for most groups. The latest data shows it at 98.2% in the US. The data on this site also shows that at its highest, the mortality rate for COVID-19 in the United States was 6.2% in late spring. The vaccine for COVID-19, while considered controversial by many, is quite the scientific achievement. It was developed in record time due to President Trump’s diligence in promoting Operation Warp Speed.
Other interesting facts
Do you remember the panic over the SARS virus in 2003? Well, it seems that COVID-19 has a lot in common with this previous virus. One difference is the fact that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, actually bonds much more tightly to human cells. This may be one reason that symptoms can be more severe. The virus can live on surfaces but the chances of surface transmission are low. It lives up to 24 hours on cardboard and 2-3 days on plastic or stainless steel. Coronavirus gets its name from the Latin word “corona” which means crown. When viewed microscopically, the virus has spikes that give it a crown-like appearance. There are many types of coronaviruses, some of which cause the common cold, which is why COVID-19 is the correct terminology for the current virus. The number “19” comes from 2019, which is when it was first discovered in China.
There are many factors that make COVID-19 different from other viruses. The hysteria surrounding the virus is one thing that will likely make it stand out for years to come. There have also been some polarizing opinions on the source of the virus, the government’s reaction to the virus, and the rules that are being enforced. There’s no arguing that small businesses have greatly suffered due to lock-downs and many people have lost jobs. But the media and many government entities have created a panic based on a virus with a significantly high survival rate. So what does this tell us? COVID-19 has devastated our country in more ways than one. What’s important is that we learn to research information to find reliable sources so we can be prepared and keep our families safe and healthy.
