COVID-19 Health and Economic Disaster
2020 was met with an invisible visitor named COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). It wreaked havoc on the world…in a whirlwind of events.
This virus literally took the world by storm…one country after the next! Beginning in Wuhan, China and traveling throughout Europe and then hitting the United States in an unfortunate ravage of lives and the economy.
GLOBAL
10,021,401 = Confirmed cases
499,913 = Deaths
Americas = 5,042,486
Europe = 2,673,131
Eastern Mediterranean = 1,041,774
South-East Asia = 760,816
Africa = 288,347
Western Pacific = 214,106
Source:
World Health Organization
Globally, as of June 29, 2020
Data may be incomplete for the current day or week.
It spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets from the coughs and sneezes of infected individuals. Fear arose that the droplets would get into the mouths or noses of those who were nearby and then this virus could be inhaled into the lungs. Six feet distance was to be maintained since COVID-19 was more likely to spread when people were in close proximity. Cleanliness was of utmost importance…constantly washing hands, using hand sanitizer, wearing masks and avoiding the touching of entry points…the mouth and nose. Sanitizer, masks, disinfectants and surprisingly toilet paper were all scarce among the grocery stores. The safest place to be was Home!!!
Pandemic
Many have not witnessed such a pandemic in their lives. Therefore, action to stop it in its tracks were fruitless at best. Those on the Front Lines…in hospitals and other essential workers in all fields prepared for battle and survival. Heroes emerged as their compassion, will power and expertise went into action. Even many of these heroic men and women risked and lost their lives during a truly heartbreaking turn-of-events. So much unfortunate death enveloped this world. The virus had no love for anyone in its path.
As we all try to wrap our minds around what has occurred, we emerge in a fog. What next! Not only were precious lives lost but to try to circumvent the continued carnage, the economies around the world had to come to a near stop. Businesses closed and jobs were lost. Another recession was at hand. In the United States, Stimulus checks had to be distributed. Unemployment reached unprecedented highs. Unemployment benefits had to be distributed and extended longer with extra income for those without work and a means to care for their families. Also, special stimulus funds were given to many businesses. Unfortunately, due to the swiftness of this pandemic, an overwhelming number of businesses had to shut down . Therefore, funding ran out before a large number of small businesses could even apply and receive funds. In addition, no one knew what the future holds…would their business survive?
The world is slowly re-opening but it will never be the same! Is another deadly round of COVID-19 headed for Fall 2019? Many reputable Health sources have said that this virus is not done yet. We pray that somehow, it does not return…but we must brace for the very real possibility!