COVID-19 is a Health Care Crisis

The corona virus pandemic has not only caused tens of thousands of deaths, more than a million people have been infected in the past few months across the planet, but is also disrupting the values and social order of the world. Covid-19 is causing a crisis from health, spread to economic, social, and political. Many major stations in the world such as BBC, VOA, RFI, RFA, VATICAN NEWS update daily news about Covid-19. Since January 2020, there are 503,594 cases and 18,860 deaths identified Covid-19 cases throughout the United States (Sources: John Hopkins University). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined 'as illness caused by a novel coronavirus now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).' It is short for “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19). It was first reported to WHO where it happened in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China on December 31, 2019.

Since then, the situation has changed drastically. The wave of Covid-19 is rushing into the United States. America has to concentrate its efforts to fight the epidemic. With most states establishing 'stay-at-home orders,' public gatherings of any kind are prohibited. Many festivals have been postponed and restaurants closed, allowing for pick-up or delivery only. The US government has recently implemented guidelines for 'social isolation' and 'self-isolation.' Social distance is considered deliberately increasing physical space between people to avoid spreading disease. Staying away from others for at least six feet will reduce your chances of catching COVID-19. People who have been exposed to new coronaviruses and who are at risk of COVID-19 infection may practice self-quarantine. Health experts recommend that self-quarantine lasts 14 days. Two weeks provides enough time for them to know if they are sick and can spread the disease to others.

All these have affected individuals and households. For individuals, the fear of the spread of the disease is so terrible that it makes people worried they might be the source of spread to their families or relatives. Non-essential offices are closed, causing financial and economic fears due to unemployment. For households, outbreaks of COVID-19 disease can occur at any time in the community. Therefore, adherence to CDC guidelines is essential.

Practice everyday preventive actions such as avoiding close contact with an infected person, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes into tissues, cleaning surfaces and objects that come into everyday contact (for example, tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) with normal household water and detergent.

Learn about workplace emergency plans such as sick leave policies and telework options for sick employees or those who need to stay home to care for sick family members.

In short, the global picture of the worldwide epidemic is spreading rapidly within the community. Measures such as mass testing, mask use, traceability of cases and rapid isolation of suspected people have brought positive results in reducing Covid-19 spread. These help prevent or slow the spread of disease allowing the health care system to more easily take care of patients over time. Although such measures have caused economic losses to the nation, as well as social and psychological consequences, but in return, the disease will be repelled. Fighting an epidemic that is destroying human life and threatening the planet is an absolute priority. It is necessary to immediately support medical measures, encourage the implementation of such measures and violators must be punished. It is respect and support for health workers who are exhausted on the front lines against epidemics. Between health and freedoms, we have no choice. 

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