Effects of COVID-19 | Courtney Fu

Times Square, New York

By Courtney Fu Effects of COVID-19

ASIAN OUTLOOK 6 C oronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, is something that we can’t escape from in the current times. Everytime you switch on the TV or scroll through your feed, it pops up whether you want it or not. Over the past couple months, the virus has gotten exponentially worse. Looking back in the very beginning when the virus started, no one would’ve thought for it to end up to where we currently are. When news of the virus began spreading, only certain locations started quarantining. The city of Wuhan, where the virus originated, was quarantined, but once the virus traveled outside, people became more cautious. Soon the virus was popping up in other locations, such as a cruise ship in Japan, South Korea, Italy and Iran. Countries began to apply travel restrictions to prevent further spreading of the virus, especially restrictions to the countries where it was most prevalent. But by the beginning of March, the virus appeared in the United States, throwing people in panic.

By early March, the U.S. government began to take action by restricting travelers from Europe as well as enforcing the practice of “social distancing.” Universities began shifting to online classes as the CDC advised against gatherings of over 50 people. Furthermore, universities began closing down their dorms for the remainder of the semester and sending students back home to avoid a large gathering of people in one location. At this point of time, people are suggested to stay at home in order to “flatten the curve” and prevent further spreading. As a result, many people have to work from home and only go outside when necessary, and when they do leave their homes, masks and gloves are often worn to protect themselves from the possibility of contracting the virus. As a result, supermarkets have aisles of https://www.nytimes.com/ article/coronavirus-timeline. html https://theconversation. com/when-a-virus-goesviral-pros-and-cons-to-thecoronavirus-spread-on-socialmedia-133525 https://www.vox.com/policyand-politics/2020/3/7/21169516/ coronavirus-new-york-stateemergency-cuomo https://www.thedailybeast. com/first-person-to-personspread-of-coronavirusconfirmed-in-chicago-cdcannounces https://www.unctv.org/ coronavirus/ COVID-19 Graphic Woman and Child, New York ASIAN OUTLOOK 6

empty shelves due to people stocking up from the fear of the pandemic. Statistically, the numbers keep rising. The health system is getting overwhelmed by the surging number of patients that are entering hospitals. It was also recently announced that the 2020 Olympics is now postponed to 2021. In most people’s eyes, the year gets progressively worse as the months go by.

However, let’s try to look at the bright side, even though it may be very difficult during these times. Many people are still trying to make the best out of the situation to get through it. With social media being so accessible to most people, many turn to that as a way to escape from the troubling news that is floating around now and relieve themselves from boredom during times of selfquarantining. Even though the virus is making many people practice social distancing, ironically it brings people closer together as well (though they are still 6 feet apart). The entire world is going through the same thing, so people across the world are facing similar experiences of being quarantined at home. During these times where there are people who need help, people do step up and try to help out in any way possible. Around the world people are standing together in solidarity in order to get through this pandemic, whether it be singing on their balconies, cheering on their healthcare workers or volunteering to do grocery runs for the elderly.

This pandemic has made me realize that life can be too short and you never know what will happen. Though this incident typically happens once in a lifetime, it changes your view on life. So at the moment, stay safe, stay inside, only go out when necessary and wash your hands. Make sure you take care of yourself and stay in contact with those you care about.