THE VIRUS THAT BRINGS THE WORLD TO A STANDSTILL
By: Nur Ain binti Rasmi, 1171060
Fakulti Pengajian Bahasa Utama (FPBU), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
Published on 2 April 2020
Fakulti Pengajian Bahasa Utama (FPBU), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
Published on 2 April 2020
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Disruption of air travel due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
It seems like 2020 is off to a bad start. Since January, people all around the world (are) have been involved in a ‘war’ against the deadly COVID-19.
The battle began when the first COVID-19 case was reported in Wuhan, China in late November 2019. Since then, the virus keeps on spreading like wildfire and on 12 March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a pandemic.
By that time, it has infected at least 128,343 people all over the world and 4,702 deaths were recorded. Gratefully, a total of 68,324 patients recovered.
In the list of 24 countries struck hard by the pandemic, China recorded the highest number of deaths, followed by Italy where 256 COVID-19 patients were reported dead within 24 hours.
Public spaces are now inaccessible and some towns have been ordered to enforce lockdown and quarantine their population(s).
Movement of people within the countries affected by the pandemic has been put to a standstill due to the suspension of transportation services. Eerie silence sets in as COVID-19 is forcing the world to take a break.
Figures released by the WHO on 21 March 2020 showed that the number of people infected by COVID-19 almost doubled to 263,216 cases with 9,396 deaths recorded and 86,300 patients recovered.
The lethal virus is still roaming around like a silent predator hunting its prey. Until now, there is no vaccine (or antidote) against the virus. Despite popular belief, antibiotics are ineffective because COVID-19 is a virus and not a bacterium.
On the frontline, doctors face the never-ending struggle to cure their patients. They are conducting routine treatment procedures such as infusing fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration, prescribing medication to heal fever and using supplemental oxygen in more severe cases. They risk their own lives to cure infected patients.
Although the virus is spreading fast like the speed of a bullet, people can take precautions to check (its) the onslaught. Avoiding crowded places such as shopping malls, markets, airports and tourist spots can be effective in preventing infection. The virus can spread through droplets and transmission will likely (to) occur through contacts in public spaces.
The authorities have also advised people to stay indoors and go to the hospitals if they experience any COVID -19 symptom such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and fatigue.
Sadly, the death toll is still increasing. People are getting worried since the impact of COVID-19 also hurts the economy of every country affected. Hygiene-related products such as face masks and hand sanitizers are facing a supply crisis due to the overwhelming demand. This unforeseen situation has forced the government and the health authority to come up with a solution to replenish the supply.
More importantly, people must fully abide by the (Restriction Movement Order) Movement Control Order enforced by the government. Please remember, the curve of death can only be flattened if we cooperate.
The battle began when the first COVID-19 case was reported in Wuhan, China in late November 2019. Since then, the virus keeps on spreading like wildfire and on 12 March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a pandemic.
By that time, it has infected at least 128,343 people all over the world and 4,702 deaths were recorded. Gratefully, a total of 68,324 patients recovered.
In the list of 24 countries struck hard by the pandemic, China recorded the highest number of deaths, followed by Italy where 256 COVID-19 patients were reported dead within 24 hours.
Public spaces are now inaccessible and some towns have been ordered to enforce lockdown and quarantine their population(s).
Movement of people within the countries affected by the pandemic has been put to a standstill due to the suspension of transportation services. Eerie silence sets in as COVID-19 is forcing the world to take a break.
Figures released by the WHO on 21 March 2020 showed that the number of people infected by COVID-19 almost doubled to 263,216 cases with 9,396 deaths recorded and 86,300 patients recovered.
The lethal virus is still roaming around like a silent predator hunting its prey. Until now, there is no vaccine (or antidote) against the virus. Despite popular belief, antibiotics are ineffective because COVID-19 is a virus and not a bacterium.
On the frontline, doctors face the never-ending struggle to cure their patients. They are conducting routine treatment procedures such as infusing fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration, prescribing medication to heal fever and using supplemental oxygen in more severe cases. They risk their own lives to cure infected patients.
Although the virus is spreading fast like the speed of a bullet, people can take precautions to check (its) the onslaught. Avoiding crowded places such as shopping malls, markets, airports and tourist spots can be effective in preventing infection. The virus can spread through droplets and transmission will likely (to) occur through contacts in public spaces.
The authorities have also advised people to stay indoors and go to the hospitals if they experience any COVID -19 symptom such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and fatigue.
Sadly, the death toll is still increasing. People are getting worried since the impact of COVID-19 also hurts the economy of every country affected. Hygiene-related products such as face masks and hand sanitizers are facing a supply crisis due to the overwhelming demand. This unforeseen situation has forced the government and the health authority to come up with a solution to replenish the supply.
More importantly, people must fully abide by the (Restriction Movement Order) Movement Control Order enforced by the government. Please remember, the curve of death can only be flattened if we cooperate.
