https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ov5vGutUiBTVSkjy-Eq_8eHRJ7OWep-2SVSaY-dJe5Y/edit?usp=sharing
Eliana Abboud
Andrews
World History
16 April 2020
Historical Dive of Pandemics
Looking back COVID-19 or Coronavirus is not the first pandemic the
Looking back COVID-19 or Coronavirus is not the first pandemic the
world has faced. One thing to keep in mind when talking about the world’s past experiences
with viruses is the meaning of the word pandemic. Pandemic is a label given to a deadly virus
that spreads worldwide, since there is no known cure. COVID-19 is one of the few that have
been given this label and has brought utter chaos to the world.
with viruses is the meaning of the word pandemic. Pandemic is a label given to a deadly virus
that spreads worldwide, since there is no known cure. COVID-19 is one of the few that have
been given this label and has brought utter chaos to the world.
When given the label epidemic this would imply that there has been "an outbreak
of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion
of the population." (Torrey) The CDC claims that an epidemic will “occur when an agent and
susceptible hosts are present in adequate numbers, and the agent can be effectively conveyed
from a source to the susceptible hosts.” On the other hand a pandemic “relates to geographic
spread and is used to describe a disease that affects a whole country or the entire world.” (Torrey)
To be more specific according to the CDC a pandemic “refers to an epidemic that has spread over
several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people.”Although many people
have been mainly focusing on the current pandemic this is not the first time people have dealt with
one. One example would be West African Ebola, which lasted from 2014-2016. The initial case of
Ebola was in Guinea when a 2 year old boy suddenly died of an unidentifiable sickness. This is
where the outbreak of Ebola began.
The virus would later spread to other parts of Africa including Sierra Leone and Liberia.
It has been confirmed that the virus was spreading through direct contact with blood or other bodily
fluids. As the days went by the victim would become more contagious and people caring for them
were more susceptible to the virus. This is one of the main ways the virus spread as transmission
could also occur through contaminated needles, syringes, bedding, and clothing. The health
workers were the ones that had to be extra cautious, since they were the ones dealing with patients
suffering from Ebola. There were around 11,000 victims during the outbreak of Ebola. Diagnostic
tools have been created that can detect the virus within hours, a vaccine that is highly effective has
been created, and thousands of experts have been trained on how to deal with the virus. There were
many casualties and a lack of resources and knowledge about the virus, but despite everything a
vaccine was created and we now know how to prevent Ebola.
of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion
of the population." (Torrey) The CDC claims that an epidemic will “occur when an agent and
susceptible hosts are present in adequate numbers, and the agent can be effectively conveyed
from a source to the susceptible hosts.” On the other hand a pandemic “relates to geographic
spread and is used to describe a disease that affects a whole country or the entire world.” (Torrey)
To be more specific according to the CDC a pandemic “refers to an epidemic that has spread over
several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people.”Although many people
have been mainly focusing on the current pandemic this is not the first time people have dealt with
one. One example would be West African Ebola, which lasted from 2014-2016. The initial case of
Ebola was in Guinea when a 2 year old boy suddenly died of an unidentifiable sickness. This is
where the outbreak of Ebola began.
The virus would later spread to other parts of Africa including Sierra Leone and Liberia.
It has been confirmed that the virus was spreading through direct contact with blood or other bodily
fluids. As the days went by the victim would become more contagious and people caring for them
were more susceptible to the virus. This is one of the main ways the virus spread as transmission
could also occur through contaminated needles, syringes, bedding, and clothing. The health
workers were the ones that had to be extra cautious, since they were the ones dealing with patients
suffering from Ebola. There were around 11,000 victims during the outbreak of Ebola. Diagnostic
tools have been created that can detect the virus within hours, a vaccine that is highly effective has
been created, and thousands of experts have been trained on how to deal with the virus. There were
many casualties and a lack of resources and knowledge about the virus, but despite everything a
vaccine was created and we now know how to prevent Ebola.
There have been a few major pandemics in history and COVID-19 is the most recent
one of all. So far there have been around 168,000 confirmed deaths worldwide due to COVID-19
and over 2 million cases. The numbers are only rising as time passes and the world is in a state of
panic. During these chaotic times I am lucky to say I have a home to come to and family to be around.
I believe it is ideal to stay home and safe. I have been spending most of my time at home trying to
do my part in keeping myself and everyone else safe. It is very important that we all cooperate
in order to contain the virus and help decrease the number of victims.
one of all. So far there have been around 168,000 confirmed deaths worldwide due to COVID-19
and over 2 million cases. The numbers are only rising as time passes and the world is in a state of
panic. During these chaotic times I am lucky to say I have a home to come to and family to be around.
I believe it is ideal to stay home and safe. I have been spending most of my time at home trying to
do my part in keeping myself and everyone else safe. It is very important that we all cooperate
in order to contain the virus and help decrease the number of victims.
Overall, the situation that we are in currently should not be taken lightly because then
the process of recovery from this pandemic will be unnecessarily prolonged. It is always good to
remember that times like these have been faced before and we will be able to overcome the
challenge. It is also important to show appreciation towards the health care workers who have
been risking their lives to care for the victims of coronavirus everyday. In the end these pandemics
are a reminder that no matter how much power we assign ourselves as human beings something
as simple as a virus could wipe out millions in a short amount of time. We are not as powerful as
we make ourselves out to be and COVID-19, as dangerous as it may be, is helping people gradually
come to this realization.
the process of recovery from this pandemic will be unnecessarily prolonged. It is always good to
remember that times like these have been faced before and we will be able to overcome the
challenge. It is also important to show appreciation towards the health care workers who have
been risking their lives to care for the victims of coronavirus everyday. In the end these pandemics
are a reminder that no matter how much power we assign ourselves as human beings something
as simple as a virus could wipe out millions in a short amount of time. We are not as powerful as
we make ourselves out to be and COVID-19, as dangerous as it may be, is helping people gradually
come to this realization.
Works cited
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