Coronavirus Numbers & Notes | Bleak Stats and a Bold Prediction
OVERVIEW | March 27, 2020 | 10:00 AM
Here’s an update on all the latest numbers concerning coronavirus. Going beyond stats, how does all this play on one's psyche? What are the current and lasting effects of coronavirus on the human experience? That’s what I aim to uncover.
CORONAVIRUS BY THE NUMBERS
Number of people who filed for unemployment in the US:
Number of confirmed global cases:
Number of confirmed cases in China:
Number of confirmed cases in the US:
The US officially surpasses China for the most confirmed coronavirus cases. What’s worse? China has nearly 1.4 billion people. The US has 327 million. That means 0.02% of the US population has contracted COVID-19 so far, but that number is only 0.005% in China.
Number of confirmed cases in my home state, Michigan:
CoronaviruS Relief bill:
A coronavirus relief bill, which will inject $2 trillion into the American economy, should pass this weekend.
“... experts suggest that the negative feelings and experiences associated with prolonged isolation will come for us all.”
NOTES ON CORONAVIRUS
LIVING IN THE NEW PANDEMIC ERA
The Bad & The Ugly
I'm an extremely social creature. Ask any of my friends. My passion for travel really started as a passion to meet new people, to experience different cultures, and to learn from fresh perspectives. Travel is a catalyst for stepping out of one's comfort zone, and that departure forces you to seek comfort and conversation in strangers.
But now, when I perform simple tasks such as going to the grocery store for supplies or taking a stroll for some fresh air, I treat others as if they were the plague.... They are the plague.... We all are.
I try my best to stay away from other humans. I endlessly swipe through ridiculous social media challenges, which many engage with to separate themselves from this bleak reality. I watch countless ads on social distancing and hand washing, as if viewing some post-apocalyptic dystopian propaganda. I offer 'stay safe' as the new 'goodbye.'
We all witness the bruises on the faces of first responders who are constantly wearing face masks. We hear the tragedies playing out in hospitals, from having to prioritize some patients over others, to a lack of safety equipment, to overworked and scared medical staff. It's an atrocity, and we were not prepared.
The Good
On the other hand, it's easy to see people stepping up and coming together in a time of global mutual need.
Some offer to buy groceries for older citizens who shouldn't leave their homes. Some, like my good friend Alex Reardon, are volunteering their time to sort medical supplies. Doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, those keeping the lights on and the water running, truck drivers, and countless others are eclipsing The Avengers as modern-day superheros.
Just as it's a time of dismay, it's a time of inspiration.
The NEw Pandemic Era
But how does all this play on one's psyche? What are the current and lasting effects of coronavirus on the human experience? Will travel ever be the same? How will we interact with one another in social settings once this has passed? There are so many questions yet to be answered.
Fortunately, as is often true, we can learn from looking back.
Looking to the past
When the dust settled after the 1918 flu pandemic, it was estimated that the virus killed anywhere from 50 to 100 million people. William Sardo Jr. is one of the few remaining survivors. Now This Media interviewed him to stress the parallels between that pandemic and this one.
In the video, Sardo Jr. may answer the question to how long the effects will last on human interaction:
“The memories were so deep in their mind, of those that survived or that didn’t get it, they were reticent. I would say to about 1922 or thereabouts where people were willing to again... go back to congregating and to feel at ease in church or in school.”
It took four years?
It speaks to the intensity with which a pandemic can take a mental toll on people, not only a physical one. And what about the first responders? How will they remember this time? How will they feel about our preparedness for future pandemics? How will this change social dynamics, politics, the financial market, and our everyday lives?
Here’s one view of the social impact coronavirus has already had:
“... the Covid-19 outbreak has left many people more alone than they’ve been in a long time, or ever. Some are responding by hunkering down into cozy domesticity: baking bread, reading books, taking long baths. Others have begun to fray: FaceTiming with friends is a necessity, not a luxury; the closure of a favorite coffee shop is cause for tears; the walls seem to be closing in. Be kind to your local extroverts. They’re having a hard time.”
While this mostly speaks to those who are unaffected and quarantined, it’s important to note. Why? It’s well known that stress can decrease the power of the immune system, which could potentially cause more people to get sick. The more people that get sick, the more others could become stressed…. Unfortunately, it’s cyclical.
Craving additional cheery news? This won’t only hurt extroverts and those in quarantine:
“... experts suggest that the negative feelings and experiences associated with prolonged isolation will come for us all.”
Social distancing, or ‘social isolation’ as some have taken to calling it, could very well have a drastic effect on your body and mind. While it’s necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19, what are the consequences?
Here’s what the experts say:
“Harry Taylor, who studies social isolation in older adults, particularly in the black community, says that it’s one of the worst things that humans can do to their overall well-being, adding that ‘the mortality effect of social isolation is like smoking 15 cigarettes per day.’ In older people, social isolation seems to exacerbate any preexisting medical conditions, from cardiovascular diseases to Alzheimer’s, but its ill effects aren’t limited to those over 60.”
“‘Minority bodies are going to be hit particularly hard because they often work in service industries, which increases risk for social isolation and loneliness and coronavirus,’ says Taylor. ‘It could create an economic and social recession.’”
CONCLUSION
There’s no question that the numbers and unrelenting media stories are worrisome. It’s sad that people are dying, and it’s difficult to see how those on the front lines have to deal with this. But those in the midst of battle, either for their own lives or someone else’s, are constant reminders of why we must self-isolate.
It’s still important to care for yourself, too. If you’re not healthy, physically and mentally, it’s easier to get sick and spread COVID-19 to others. While there may be lasting social or psychological effects, it’s necessary to do what’s right in the moment.
Stay home. Social distance. Keep your hands clean. Don’t touch your face.
But also stay connected. Care for others. Keep active. And remember, we’re all in this together.
“Fortunately, you’re not in this alone, and you shouldn’t leave others that way, either.”
“I think the most useful thing that people can do at this stage is to find some trusted sources of information like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the World Health Organization, or some of our major media, and just stick to them for information. They’re professionals. They do the best job they can of gathering and communicating the information.”
Helpful Advice from the CDC
Things you can do to support yourself
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditateexternal icon. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugsexternal icon.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Why did I write this? What does this have to do with a travel blog?
This is affecting every person and every industry on the planet. I felt inspired to investigate the truth about this pandemic for myself and discover what the potential lasting effects could be as a result of coronavirus.
Have any thoughts on this blog post? If so, let me know in the comments. I love feedback, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
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Thanks for reading, and keep an eye out for future blog posts! - Cullan
