A virus is defined as a small parasite that can not reproduce by itself, it is in need of a host cell. Each virus consists of a capsid, genetic information (RNA or DNA, either single or double-stranded), and a viral envelope. A complete virus particle is called a virion, a virions main function is to deliver DNA or RNA to a host cell so the genetic information can be expressed by the host cell. There is a wide array of virus shapes, structures, classifications, and functions. The Coronavirus has single-stranded RNA genetic material with glycoprotein projections. The coronavirus is grouped into the family Coronaviridae based on the halo-like appearance.
Hi! My name is Leah Frerichs, welcome to my blog post on COVID-19.
Leah is a junior at the Mount. She plans to go into public health after she leaves us. I have gotten to work with Leah in a number of different capacities, and no matter the scenario she is always hard working. Recently, she started researching a gene called UBP11 in yeast. There isn't much known about this gene so Leah and some of her peers are spending countless hours in the lab trying to figure it out! Leah also spends a lot of time on the soccer field. They run a lot. She could out run me any day of the week.
#CoronaVirus #Delaware #Washyourhands #Stayathome #CDC #Facemasks #Socialdistancing #Proactivecare #Americanhealth
Delawareans have seen an increase in their neighboring states COVID-19 case numbers, putting the residents more at risk to a potential hotspot occurring in Delaware. Awareness of the potential Delaware possesses to become the next hotspot should encourage the residents to install extra precautionary measures. In recent weeks, Americans have seen an increase in COVID-19 patients, which has been medically termed SARS-CoV-2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services, has recently been one of the most reliable sources of information regarding COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2. The CDC has been providing daily updates regarding the progression of the disease throughout the United States.
In addition to statistics including total cases and deaths within the US, the CDC website has also published information regarding those individuals who are most at risk for developing severe complications from the virus, as well as the primary method of transmission of the virus, which is through respiratory droplets produced from an infected individual. Delaware residents especially should take the necessary precautions due to the high number of retired individuals in the area. The CDC also recommends that everyone:
Washes their hands often and properly (correct ways to wash your hands are shown on the CDC website)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoid close contact and keep at least 6 feet from others
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched daily (information on how to properly disinfect can be found on the CDC website)
The novel coronavirus has continued to spread exponentially throughout the United States. On March 6, 2020, about 214 cases had been identified. As of April 24th, 2020, the total number of cases within the United States had risen to 865,585. The US now has at least one identified case in each state, and the widespread distribution of cases throughout the United States mirrors the distribution of cases across the globe, with 212 countries reporting confirmed cases of COVID-19. In Delaware 3,442 positive cases have been identified, reporting less than 1% of the United States cases.
One of the most recent updates to the CDC website includes a section on how to create your own face coverings with cloth since supplies are running low. Although public health officials previously recommended that facemasks were only necessary for healthcare workers, they have recently changed their stance in order to attempt to prevent additional spread of the virus. However, commercially available masks, including surgical masks and N95 masks, should not be worn by the general public and should remain available for healthcare workers who are currently working with significant supply shortages of this critical personal protective equipment (PPE).
I would suggest taking a look at the website in order to properly inform yourself of the upcoming changes and guidelines provided by the CDC. The CDC also provides information that the public can use when discussing concerns with their healthcare providers, including a list of symptoms that are consistent with the novel coronavirus. These symptoms include:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of Breath
These symptoms, which can develop 2-14 days after exposure to the virus are often mistaken for the flu. It is important to inform one’s healthcare provider about all of these symptoms as well as any possible exposure one may have had to patients with COVID-19. This will help to ensure that one is able to receive the best possible care and to protect others from possible exposure to the virus.
Anyone who develops these symptoms or suspects that he or she may have been exposed to the virus should take precautionary measures and self-isolate for two weeks, as well as making sure to carefully monitor symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms or your condition worsens.
While some citizens get frightened of the virus others believe that the virus is nothing to worry about and continue to leave their houses. Some states have been asked to be “liberated” and began to hold protests against the stay at home order, while healthcare workers have also prepared a counter-protest in order to encourage those not taking the necessary precaution to begin to do so. The protests surrounding Delaware put the residents in this area at an increased risk for becoming a hotspot not only due to the risk of Delawareans protesting to be “liberated” but could set an outbreak to emerge in Delaware. Those who are on the front lines of the virus are most at risk for contracting the virus (healthcare workers), as well as those who are also frequently going outside of their house, travelers, and those who have recently been in close contact with infected individuals.
Pictured above is a healthcare worker counter-protesting the liberation of Colorado. The full story can be found in the link below:
People who have suppressed immune systems are also at high risk; this includes older adults, people with asthma, people with severe illnesses, pregnant women, children, and those who have HIV. The similarity between this group of people is that their immune systems are less stable than those without underlying conditions. Since their immune systems are not as strong as those without these conditions it allows the virus to infect the body easier. The CDC recommends that those with these conditions should follow the same
guidelines as everyone else, to stock up on supplies, take everyday precautions, and make an action plan.
Speaking to those in the healthcare field is frightening - my sister works at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio, and she says that she has noticed an increase in tension in the hospital and fewer and fewer patients being admitted in order to make room for the potential increase in CODIV-19 patients.
Pictured above is my sister, Nicole Frerichs a resident at the Cleveland Clinic.
Those going into the rooms of patients every day are put most at risk but yet all they want to do is stay home and keep themselves and their family safe. My sister often reminds our family that we should not take staying home for granted, since we have the ability to keep ourselves safe, unlike many of the healthcare workers that are treating patients with COVID-19. People, every day, are making sacrifices for the public’s health, the least we can do for these health professionals is to stay home and do our part to prevent additional spread of the virus.
Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/whats-it-like-to-be-a-healthcare-worker-in-a-pandemic-2020040819485
The message I would like to convey is that Delawareans along with the rest of the Nation should continue to stay home as much as possible. This pandemic should not be taken lightly, if the general public does not follow the guidelines set out by our governors and outlined by public health officials, which have proven to be effective and will help to slow the spread of the virus we could be stuck indoors for a lot longer than initially anticipated or worse, see a second wave of the virus at a later date.
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