# data[].attributes.body
-How are people helping each other during quarantine?

- How are our emotions affected by social distancing?

- How do our feelings about quarantine affect our experience? (mindset)

# data[].attributes.body
Perspective:

-What influences leaders to make policies about social distancing and quarantine?

- Which policies have been most successful for slowing the spread of covid?

-Where do leaders get ideas for how to solve problems?

# data[].attributes.body
Change:

-How has profit been influenced by Co-Vid19?

- How have businesses adjusted their goods and services during the virus?

- How have businesses changed their process for making goods and services to keep people safe?

# data[].attributes.body
Causation:

What created/caused coronavirus?

What causes the virus to spread faster or slower?

# data[].attributes.body
Use this template to help you write your introduction to the exhibition Research paper.

You can use the research below to add a fact. The citation is available for you to copy and paste.

# data[].attributes.body
Up to date information about the number of effected people with Co-Vid. This site was designed by a 17 year old student!

Citation:
Schiffman, A. World COVID-19 Stats. Accessed (date you used it):  https://ncov2019.live/data

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Live coronavirus dashboard tracker. See data, maps, social media trends, and learn about prevention measures.

# data[].attributes.body
Citation:
What is Coronavirus? National Geographic. (Date you accessed it). https://www.natgeokids.com/ie/discover/science/general-science/what-is-coronavirus/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you've been watching the news lately, chances are you'll have heard lots about an illness that's affecting people around the world, called coronavirus.
It's natural to feel worried about stuff you read in the news. If you're feeling anxious about coronavirus, talk to a trusted grown-up, like a parent, guardian or teacher about how you're feeling. You can also find online support on the Open Minds website.

What is coronavirus?

How did the coronavirus outbreak start?

It's not completely clear how the outbreak started, but it's thought it's likely to have begun in Wuhan, China at a local meat market known to sell wild animal meat.

We still don't know for sure which animal sparked the outbreak, but it's thought that the new virus could have originated in bats. Bats weren't sold at the market, but they may have come into contact with the animals that were.

How is coronavirus spread?

Because we haven't encountered this virus before, scientists have had to work hard to discover exactly how it spreads. Similar viruses, like colds and flu, spread through water droplets in coughs and sneezes. These droplets can live on surfaces and spread when someone touches them with their hands. People become infected when they then touch their hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.

Coronavirus is mostly spread through the air, when people are in close contact with each other. This is why it's very important that we socially distance from other people, and wear a mask. Wearing a mask over your mouth and nose helps to stop your water droplets from reaching other people. If we all wear masks, we all keep our droplets to ourselves!

Being in places with lots of fresh air also helps stop these droplets from reaching other people, which is why we don't have to wear our masks outside. Some places you go to, like your school, might open windows and doors to help with this, too.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

For the most people, including kids, this coronavirus isn't dangerous. It will make them feel poorly for a short time, before they make a full recovery. For a few people, like the elderly and people who have long-term health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or asthma, the risk of becoming very ill is more serious. That's why these people are making extra efforts to have less face-to-face contact with others at the moment.

That means you might have to change the way you keep in touch with grandparents, friends or family who are vulnerable, for the time-being. For example, how about video calling your grandparents, or sending them a letter? It's good to keep in touch, but in a way that keeps you and others safe.

Coronavirus symptoms include:

- a high temperature

- a new, continuous cough

- a loss or change to your sense of smell and taste

If you feel poorly, tell a trusted adult like a parent, guardian or teacher.

What can I do?

There are plenty of small, easy things you can do. You probably do some of them already, but at this time, we all just need to be extra sensible and cautious as we go about our daily lives and activities:

- Wash your hands more regularly, for at least 20 seconds - that's about as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice! Dry them with a paper towel and then chuck it in the bin!

- If you can't wash your hands with soap and water, then use hand-sanitiser.

- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth.

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Bin the tissue and wash your hands afterwards.

- Avoid contact with people who feel unwell, or if you feel poorly, let a trusted adult know.

What are people doing about coronavirus?

Scientists have created a vaccine for COVID-19, in record time! Vaccines give people protection from the virus. In the UK, they're being given to the most vulnerable people, like grandparents and hospital staff, first, because they are at the highest risk of catching coronavirus. Some people have already received the vaccine, which is brilliant news!

In the meantime, there are lots of changes being made to help slow the spread of coronavirus. Some of them might feel a bit scary or unusual, but rest assured, they're being made to keep you and others safe:

- Everyone is now ' social distancing' from most other people. This basically means keeping your distance from others, avoiding social gatherings like meeting with friends, going to sporting events or gigs. This is to help prevent the virus from passing from person to person.

- Your parents may be asked to work from home. This might mean your family routine changes while they spend more time than usual at home.

- Cafés, restaurants, events and other public places may be closed.

These changes won't be around forever, but they are important steps towards slowing the spread of coronavirus.

Should I be worried?

You might feel worried about coronavirus, about how it might affect you, your family and friends, and the changes that we are making to our daily lives at this time. The important thing to remember is that we are all in this together. Talk to your friends and family about your worries and work out how you will support each other during the coming weeks, ensuring you all stay happy and healthy.

Things you can do:

- Have a break from talking or thinking about coronavirus. Keep yourself busy and don't overcheck the news.

- Don't believe everything that your friends tell you about coronavirus. Check the facts with a parent or trusted adult.

You can access free online school resources in our Primary Resources section! We cover all of your favourite subjects like Ancient Egypt, rainforests, dinosaurs and space!

Images ⓒ Getty Images: coronavirus structure (1209871896), sneezing boy (1127920667), children handwashing (700709633), girl reading (909239264).

Did you find our coronavirus article helpful? Let us know by leaving a comment below...

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If you've been watching the news lately, chances are you'll have heard lots about a virus called coronavirus. What is coronavirus, how is it spread and what can you do...

# data[].attributes.body
Use this template to help you write your research question.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
From crystal clear waters in the canals of Venice to dramatic falls in pollution levels in major cities, the coronavirus pandemic has had a number of positive effects on the environment as millions across the world are placed under lockdown.

The crowds of tourists who normally swarm the Venice canals are gone and the number of motorboats vastly reduced.

As a consequence, the normally polluted waters of the canals are clearer than at any time many locals can remember.

"The canal is definitely clearer, you just have to look at the canal when water is very calm. There are no boats, there is no traffic. Definitely it is cleaner," said Venice resident Serguei Michtchenk.

It is just one of the possibly beneficial effects on the environment of the coronavirus pandemic.

In cities across the world, the streets have emptied of people and vehicles, factories have shut down and flights have been grounded.

In China, satellite images from NASA and the European Space Agency have shown a significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide pollution in the early months of this year after much of the country went into lockdown.

A similar effect has been seen in northern Italy. While in New York, scientists at Columbia University reported a 5-10 percent drop in CO2 emissions this week as traffic levels fell 35 percent.

But the environmental benefits could be short-lived. China this week began reopening factories in Hubei province as the country reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Clearer water, cleaner air: The environmental effects of coronavirus

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From crystal clear waters in the canals of Venice to dramatic falls in pollution levels in major cities, the coronavirus pandemic has had a number of positive effects on the environment as millions across the world are placed under lockdown. The crowds of tourists who normally swarm the Venice canals are gone and the number of motorboats vastly reduced.

# data[].attributes.headline
Awesome female leaders flattening the curve

# data[].attributes.subject
Awesome female leaders flattening the curve

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Political Leaders Showing the Way
20-first

Looking for examples of true leadership in a crisis? From Iceland to Taiwan and from Germany to New Zealand, women are stepping up to show the world how to manage a messy patch for our human family. Add in Finland, Iceland and Denmark, and this pandemic is revealing that women have what it takes when the heat rises in our Houses of State. Many will say these are small countries, or islands, or other exceptions. But Germany is large and leading, and the U.K. is an island with very different outcomes. These leaders are gifting us an attractive alternative way of wielding power. What are they teaching us?

Truth

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, stood up early and calmly told her countrymen that this was a serious bug that would infect up to 70% of the population. "It's serious," she said, "take it seriously." She did, so they did too. Testing began right from the get-go. Germany jumped right over the phases of denial, anger and disingenuousness we've seen elsewhere. The country's numbers are far below its European neighbors, and there are signs it may be able to start loosening restrictions relatively soon.

Data from the European Centre for Disease Control as of April 12, 2020
20-first

Decisiveness

Among the first and the fastest responses was from Tsai Ing-wen in Taiwan. Back in January, at the first sign of a new illness, she introduced 124 measures to block the spread without having to resort to the lockdowns that have become common elsewhere. She is now sending 10 million face masks to the U.S. and Europe. Tsai managed what CNN has called " among the world's best " responses, keeping the epidemic under control, still reporting only six deaths.

Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand was early to lockdown and crystal clear on the maximum level of alert she was putting the country under-and why. She imposed self-isolation on people entering New Zealand astonishingly early, when there were just 6 cases in the whole country, and banned foreigners entirely from entering soon after. Clarity and decisiveness are saving New Zealand from the storm. As of mid-April they have suffered only four deaths, and where other countries talk of lifting restrictions, Ardern is adding to them, making all returning New Zealanders quarantine in designated locations for 14 days.

Tech

Iceland, under the leadership of Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, is offering free coronavirus testing to all its citizens, and will become a key case study in the true spread and fatality rates of COVID-19. Most countries have limited testing to people with active symptoms. Iceland is going whole hog. In proportion to its population the country has already screened five times as many people as South Korea has, and instituted a thorough tracking system that means they haven't had to lock down or shut schools.

Sanna Marin became the world's youngest head of state when she was elected last December in Finland. It took a millennial leader to spearhead using social media influencers as key agents in battling the coronavirus crisis. Recognizing that not everyone reads the press, they are inviting influencers of any age to spread fact-based information on managing the pandemic.

Love

Norway's Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, had the innovative idea of using television to talk directly to her country's children. She was building on the short, three-minute press conference that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had held a couple of days earlier. Solberg held a dedicated press conference where no adults were allowed. She responded to kids' questions from across the country, taking time to explain why it was OK to feel scared. The originality and obviousness of the idea takes one's breath away. How many other simple, humane innovations would more female leadership unleash?

Generally, the empathy and care which all of these female leaders have communicated seems to come from an alternate universe than the one we have gotten used to. It's like their arms are coming out of their videos to hold you close in a heart-felt and loving embrace. Who knew leaders could sound like this? Now we do.

Now, compare these leaders and stories with the strongmen using the crisis to accelerate a terrifying trifecta of authoritarianism: blame-"others," capture-the-judiciary, demonize-the-journalists, and blanket their country in I-will-never-retire darkness (Trump, Bolsonaro, López Obrador, Modi, Duterte, Orban, Putin, Netanyahu...).

There have been years of research timidly suggesting that women's leadership styles might be different and beneficial. Instead, too many political organizations and companies are still working to get women to behave more like men if they want to lead or succeed. Yet these national leaders are case study sightings of the seven leadership traits men may want to learn from women.

It's time we recognized it-and elected more of it.

... Read More

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Do Countries With The Best Coronavirus Responses Have In Common? Women Leaders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Looking for examples of true leadership in a crisis? From Iceland to Taiwan and from Germany to New Zealand, women are stepping up to show the world how to manage a messy patch for our human family. Add in Finland, Iceland and Denmark, and this pandemic is revealing that women have what it takes when the heat rises in our Houses of State.

# data[].attributes.body
How poor countries are handling COvid

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Developing countries' fragile hygiene and health care raise COVID-19 risks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese government issued an alert to the World Health Organization about a new illness that was spreading through the city of Wuhan. Patients were coming down with a mysterious fever, dry cough, and pneumonia. Soon, some were dying. The source was a new virus, named SARS-CoV-2, and health officials were racing to find the source.

A leading hypothesis is that the virus emerged from animals at a popular market in Wuhan. This is not a surprise for many experts because it's happened before. In 2003, a virus very similar to SARS-CoV-2 emerged from a market in Foshan, China. It caused the SARS disease, which spread to dozens of countries and killed nearly 800 people. SARS-CoV-2 has developed into a much wider outbreak, reaching all across the globe and killing thousands.

The similarities between the two viruses raises the question: Why do new diseases keep emerging from China? This episode of Vox Atlas examines the deeper issue of China's wildlife trade and how it's putting global health at risk.

It's important to note that, as our expert Peter Li points out in the video, "The majority of the people in China do not eat wildlife animals. Those people who consume these wildlife animals are the rich and the powerful - a small minority."

This video explains how the people of China are themselves victims of the conditions that led to coronavirus. The virus is affecting many different countries and cultures, and there is never justification for xenophobia or racism.

You can find further reading on this on Vox:
The coronavirus exposes the history of racism and "cleanliness" Why pandemics activate xenophobia Why Asians in masks should not be the "face" of the coronavirus
You can find this video and all of Vox's videos on YouTube. Subscribe for the latest.
Will you help keep Vox free for all?
Millions of people rely on Vox to understand how the policy decisions made in Washington, from health care to unemployment to housing, could impact their lives. Our work is well-sourced, research-driven, and in-depth. And that kind of work takes resources. Even after the economy recovers, advertising alone will never be enough to support it. If you have already made a contribution to Vox, thank you. If you haven't, help us keep our journalism free for everyone by making a financial contribution today, from as little as $3.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why new diseases keep appearing in China

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese government issued an alert to the World Health Organization about a new illness that was spreading through the city of Wuhan. Patients were coming down with a mysterious fever, dry cough, and pneumonia. Soon, some were dying.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bill Gates On How Quickly We Could See A Coronavirus Vaccine | MSNBC

# data[].attributes.body
Companies that are making the most money

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coronavirus: Who could make money from the outbreak?

# data[].attributes.body
Write your name and your research question.

EX:
Mrs. Cindy:  What are strategies for maintaining emotional wellness while social distancing?

# data[].attributes.body
how is the economy of countries are] being affected because of Covid-19

# data[].attributes.body
Which businesses have been benefited of hurt by Covid-19 and how?

# data[].attributes.body
Is covid19 helping the environment because nobody travels and that means that fossil fuels aren’t being used so it is not polluting our environment.

# data[].attributes.body
My Research Question is How has the virus affected nature and the earth's natural  habitats.

# data[].attributes.body
How have Female leaders responded to this Covid-19 outbreak?

# data[].attributes.body
Where did the corona-virus come from.

# data[].attributes.body
Which animals got the CoronaVirus, + How and why are their symptoms similar or different from the human symptoms?

# data[].attributes.body
What has been the environment impact of Covid 19 and is it sustainable?

# data[].attributes.body
Where did the virus come from and how did it spread?

# data[].attributes.body
HOW DID MAMMALS GOT THE VIRUS

# data[].attributes.body
How have animals been effected by the coronavirus?

# data[].attributes.body
What has been the environmental impact of CoVid-19 and is it sustainable?

# data[].attributes.body
Neufeld, D. The Hardest Hit Companies of the COVID-19 Downturn: The ‘BEACH’ Stocks. Visual Capitalist. March 25, 2020. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/covid-19-downturn-beach-stocks/

# data[].attributes.body
How does the virus still spreads if we are at home already?

# data[].attributes.body
what is the effect of covid-19 on the environment?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Live coronavirus dashboard tracker. See data, maps, social media trends, and learn about prevention measures.

# data[].attributes.body
Use the research organizer to write about coronavirus

# data[].attributes.body
Which businesses have benefited or been hurt by the effects of the virus?

# data[].attributes.body
What causes the virus to spread faster or slower in the states?

# data[].attributes.body
Ellis, S. Why new diseases keep appearing in China: Why Covid-19 was bound to happen. Vox. March 6, 2020. https://www.vox.com/videos/2020/3/6/21168006/coronavirus-covid19-china-pandemic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese government issued an alert to the World Health Organization about a new illness that was spreading through the city of Wuhan. Patients were coming down with a mysterious fever, dry cough, and pneumonia. Soon, some were dying. The source was a new virus, named SARS-CoV-2, and health officials were racing to find the source.

A leading hypothesis is that the virus emerged from animals at a popular market in Wuhan. This is not a surprise for many experts because it's happened before. In 2003, a virus very similar to SARS-CoV-2 emerged from a market in Foshan, China. It caused the SARS disease, which spread to dozens of countries and killed nearly 800 people. SARS-CoV-2 has developed into a much wider outbreak, reaching all across the globe and killing thousands.

The similarities between the two viruses raises the question: Why do new diseases keep emerging from China? This episode of Vox Atlas examines the deeper issue of China's wildlife trade and how it's putting global health at risk.

It's important to note that, as our expert Peter Li points out in the video, "The majority of the people in China do not eat wildlife animals. Those people who consume these wildlife animals are the rich and the powerful - a small minority."

This video explains how the people of China are themselves victims of the conditions that led to coronavirus. The virus is affecting many different countries and cultures, and there is never justification for xenophobia or racism.

You can find further reading on this on Vox:
The coronavirus exposes the history of racism and "cleanliness" Why pandemics activate xenophobia Why Asians in masks should not be the "face" of the coronavirus
You can find this video and all of Vox's videos on YouTube. Subscribe for the latest.
Will you help keep Vox free for all?
Millions of people rely on Vox to understand how the policy decisions made in Washington, from health care to unemployment to housing, could impact their lives. Our work is well-sourced, research-driven, and in-depth. And that kind of work takes resources. Even after the economy recovers, advertising alone will never be enough to support it. If you have already made a contribution to Vox, thank you. If you haven't, help us keep our journalism free for everyone by making a financial contribution today, from as little as $3.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why new diseases keep appearing in China

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese government issued an alert to the World Health Organization about a new illness that was spreading through the city of Wuhan. Patients were coming down with a mysterious fever, dry cough, and pneumonia. Soon, some were dying.

# data[].attributes.body
Coronavirus: Who could make money from the outbreak?. The Telegraph. March 6, 2020.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9M-HloGXBs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coronavirus: Who could make money from the outbreak?

# data[].attributes.headline
Awesome female leaders flattening the curve

# data[].attributes.subject
Awesome female leaders flattening the curve

# data[].attributes.body
Wittenberg-Cox, A.

What Do Countries With The Best Coronavirus Responses Have In Common? Women Leaders. Forbes. April 13, 2020.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivahwittenbergcox/2020/04/13/what-do-countries-with-the-best-coronavirus-reponses-have-in-common-women-leaders/#75902d543dec

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Political Leaders Showing the Way
20-first

Looking for examples of true leadership in a crisis? From Iceland to Taiwan and from Germany to New Zealand, women are stepping up to show the world how to manage a messy patch for our human family. Add in Finland, Iceland and Denmark, and this pandemic is revealing that women have what it takes when the heat rises in our Houses of State. Many will say these are small countries, or islands, or other exceptions. But Germany is large and leading, and the U.K. is an island with very different outcomes. These leaders are gifting us an attractive alternative way of wielding power. What are they teaching us?

Truth

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, stood up early and calmly told her countrymen that this was a serious bug that would infect up to 70% of the population. "It's serious," she said, "take it seriously." She did, so they did too. Testing began right from the get-go. Germany jumped right over the phases of denial, anger and disingenuousness we've seen elsewhere. The country's numbers are far below its European neighbors, and there are signs it may be able to start loosening restrictions relatively soon.

Data from the European Centre for Disease Control as of April 12, 2020
20-first

Decisiveness

Among the first and the fastest responses was from Tsai Ing-wen in Taiwan. Back in January, at the first sign of a new illness, she introduced 124 measures to block the spread without having to resort to the lockdowns that have become common elsewhere. She is now sending 10 million face masks to the U.S. and Europe. Tsai managed what CNN has called " among the world's best " responses, keeping the epidemic under control, still reporting only six deaths.

Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand was early to lockdown and crystal clear on the maximum level of alert she was putting the country under-and why. She imposed self-isolation on people entering New Zealand astonishingly early, when there were just 6 cases in the whole country, and banned foreigners entirely from entering soon after. Clarity and decisiveness are saving New Zealand from the storm. As of mid-April they have suffered only four deaths, and where other countries talk of lifting restrictions, Ardern is adding to them, making all returning New Zealanders quarantine in designated locations for 14 days.

Tech

Iceland, under the leadership of Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, is offering free coronavirus testing to all its citizens, and will become a key case study in the true spread and fatality rates of COVID-19. Most countries have limited testing to people with active symptoms. Iceland is going whole hog. In proportion to its population the country has already screened five times as many people as South Korea has, and instituted a thorough tracking system that means they haven't had to lock down or shut schools.

Sanna Marin became the world's youngest head of state when she was elected last December in Finland. It took a millennial leader to spearhead using social media influencers as key agents in battling the coronavirus crisis. Recognizing that not everyone reads the press, they are inviting influencers of any age to spread fact-based information on managing the pandemic.

Love

Norway's Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, had the innovative idea of using television to talk directly to her country's children. She was building on the short, three-minute press conference that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had held a couple of days earlier. Solberg held a dedicated press conference where no adults were allowed. She responded to kids' questions from across the country, taking time to explain why it was OK to feel scared. The originality and obviousness of the idea takes one's breath away. How many other simple, humane innovations would more female leadership unleash?

Generally, the empathy and care which all of these female leaders have communicated seems to come from an alternate universe than the one we have gotten used to. It's like their arms are coming out of their videos to hold you close in a heart-felt and loving embrace. Who knew leaders could sound like this? Now we do.

Now, compare these leaders and stories with the strongmen using the crisis to accelerate a terrifying trifecta of authoritarianism: blame-"others," capture-the-judiciary, demonize-the-journalists, and blanket their country in I-will-never-retire darkness (Trump, Bolsonaro, López Obrador, Modi, Duterte, Orban, Putin, Netanyahu...).

There have been years of research timidly suggesting that women's leadership styles might be different and beneficial. Instead, too many political organizations and companies are still working to get women to behave more like men if they want to lead or succeed. Yet these national leaders are case study sightings of the seven leadership traits men may want to learn from women.

It's time we recognized it-and elected more of it.

... Read More

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Do Countries With The Best Coronavirus Responses Have In Common? Women Leaders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Looking for examples of true leadership in a crisis? From Iceland to Taiwan and from Germany to New Zealand, women are stepping up to show the world how to manage a messy patch for our human family. Add in Finland, Iceland and Denmark, and this pandemic is revealing that women have what it takes when the heat rises in our Houses of State.

# data[].attributes.body
Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19). World Health Organization. April 17, 2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Latest update 13 May 2021 - WHO is continuously monitoring and responding to this pandemic. This Q&A will be updated as more is known about COVID-19, how it spreads and how it is affecting people worldwide. For more information, regularly check the WHO coronavirus pages. https://www.who.int/covid-19

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. WHO first learned of this new virus on 31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of 'viral pneumonia' in Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are

Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:

Loss of taste or smell,

Nasal congestion,

Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)

Sore throat,

Headache,

Muscle or joint pain,

Different types of skin rash,

Nausea or vomiting,

Diarrhea,

Chills or dizziness.

Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:

Shortness of breath,

Loss of appetite,

Confusion,

Persistent pain or pressure in the chest,

High temperature (above 38 °C).

Other less common symptoms are:

Irritability,

Confusion,

Reduced consciousness (sometimes associated with seizures),

Anxiety,

Depression,

Sleep disorders,

More severe and rare neurological complications such as strokes, brain inflammation, delirium and nerve damage.

People of all ages who experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement should seek medical care immediately. If possible, call your health care provider, hotline or health facility first, so you can be directed to the right clinic.

Among those who develop symptoms, most (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment. About 15% become seriously ill and require oxygen and 5% become critically ill and need intensive care.

Complications leading to death may include respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis and septic shock, thromboembolism, and/or multiorgan failure, including injury of the heart, liver or kidneys.

In rare situations, children can develop a severe inflammatory syndrome a few weeks after infection.

People aged 60 years and over, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, obesity or cancer, are at higher risk of developing serious illness.

However, anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

Some people who have had COVID-19, whether they have needed hospitalization or not, continue to experience symptoms, including fatigue, respiratory and neurological symptoms.

WHO is working with our Global Technical Network for Clinical Management of COVID-19, researchers and patient groups around the world to design and carry out studies of patients beyond the initial acute course of illness to understand the proportion of patients who have long term effects, how long they persist, and why they occur. These studies will be used to develop further guidance for patient care.

Stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, especially when distancing cannot be maintained, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds and close contact, regularly cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue. Check local advice where you live and work. Do it all!

Read our public advice page for more information.

Anyone with symptoms should be tested, wherever possible. People who do not have symptoms but have had close contact with someone who is, or may be, infected may also consider testing - contact your local health guidelines and follow their guidance.

While a person is waiting for test results, they should remain isolated from others. Where testing capacity is limited, tests should first be done for those at higher risk of infection, such as health workers, and those at higher risk of severe illness such as older people, especially those living in seniors' residences or long-term care facilities.

In most situations, a molecular test is used to detect SARS-CoV-2 and confirm infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most commonly used molecular test. Samples are collected from the nose and/or throat with a swab. Molecular tests detect virus in the sample by amplifying viral genetic material to detectable levels. For this reason, a molecular test is used to confirm an active infection, usually within a few days of exposure and around the time that symptoms may begin.
Learn more about what kind of COVID-19 tests are available

Rapid antigen tests (sometimes known as a rapid diagnostic test - RDT) detect viral proteins (known as antigens). Samples are collected from the nose and/or throat with a swab. These tests are cheaper than PCR and will offer results more quickly, although they are generally less accurate. These tests perform best when there is more virus circulating in the community and when sampled from an individual during the time they are most infectious.

- Learn more about rapid diagnostic test

Antibody tests can tell us whether someone has had an infection in the past, even if they have not had symptoms. Also known as serological tests and usually done on a blood sample, these tests detect antibodies produced in response to an infection. In most people, antibodies start to develop after days to weeks and can indicate if a person has had past infection. Antibody tests cannot be used to diagnose COVID-19 in the early stages of infection or disease but can indicate whether or not someone has had the disease in the past.

Both isolation and quarantine are methods of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Quarantine is used for anyone who is a contact of someone infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, whether the infected person has symptoms or not. Quarantine means that you remain separated from others because you have been exposed to the virus and you may be infected and can take place in a designated facility or at home. For COVID-19, this means staying in the facility or at home for 14 days.

Isolation is used for people with COVID-19 symptoms or who have tested positive for the virus. Being in isolation means being separated from other people, ideally in a medically facility where you can receive clinical care. If isolation in a medical facility is not possible and you are not in a high risk group of developing severe disease, isolation can take place at home. If you have symptoms, you should remain in isolation for at least 10 days plus an additional 3 days without symptoms. If you are infected and do not develop symptoms, you should remain in isolation for 10 days from the time you test positive.

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you may become infected, even if you feel well.

After exposure to someone who has COVID-19, do the following:

Call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline to find out where and when to get a test.

Cooperate with contact-tracing procedures to stop the spread of the virus.

If testing is not available, stay home and away from others for 14 days.

While you are in quarantine, do not go to work, to school or to public places. Ask someone to bring you supplies.

Keep at least a 1-metre distance from others, even from your family members.

Wear a medical mask to protect others, including if/when you need to seek medical care.

Clean your hands frequently.

Stay in a separate room from other family members, and if not possible, wear a medical mask.

Keep the room well-ventilated.

If you share a room, place beds at least 1 metre apart.

Monitor yourself for any symptoms for 14 days.

Stay positive by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising at home.

If you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever, seek medical help if you have a fever. While travelling to and from the health facility and during medical care, wear a mask, keep at least a 1-metre distance from other people and avoid touching surfaces with your hands. This applies to adults and children. Read our malaria and COVID-19 Q&A for more information.

The time from exposure to COVID-19 to the moment when symptoms begin is, on average, 5-6 days and can range from 1-14 days. This is why people who have been exposed to the virus are advised to remain at home and stay away from others, for 14 days, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, especially where testing is not easily available.

Yes. The first mass vaccination programme started in early December 2020 and the number of vaccination doses administered is updated on a daily basis here. At least 13 different vaccines (across 4 platforms) have been administered. Campaigns have started in 206 economies.

The Pfizer/BioNtech Comirnaty vaccine was listed for WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) on 31 December 2020. The SII/Covishield and AstraZeneca/AZD1222 vaccines (developed by AstraZeneca/Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and SK Bio respectively) were given EUL on 16 February. The Janssen/Ad26.COV 2.S developed by Johnson & Johnson, was listed for EUL on 12 March 2021. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA 1273) was listed for EUL on 30 April 2021 and the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine was listed for EUL on 7 May 2021. The Sinopharm vaccine is produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

For further information, see here.

Once vaccines are demonstrated to be safe and efficacious, they must be approved by national regulators, manufactured to exacting standards, and distributed. WHO is working with partners around the world to help coordinate key steps in this process, including to facilitate equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for the billions of people who will need them. More information about COVID-19 vaccine development is available here.

If you have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline for instructions and find out when and where to get a test, stay at home for 14 days away from others and monitor your health.

If you have shortness of breath or pain or pressure in the chest, seek medical attention at a health facility immediately. Call your health care provider or hotline in advance for direction to the right health facility.

If you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever, seek medical care if you have a fever.

If local guidance recommends visiting a medical centre for testing, assessment or isolation, wear a medical mask while travelling to and from the facility and during medical care. Also keep at least a 1-metre distance from other people and avoid touching surfaces with your hands. This applies to adults and children.

Scientists around the world are working to find and develop treatments for COVID-19.

Optimal supportive care includes oxygen for severely ill patients and those who are at risk for severe disease and more advanced respiratory support such as ventilation for patients who are critically ill.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that can help reduce the length of time on a ventilator and save lives of patients with severe and critical illness. Read our dexamethasone Q&A for more information.

Results from the WHO's Solidarity Trial indicated that remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon regimens appear to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality or the in-hospital course of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients.

Hydroxychloroquine has not been shown to offer any benefit for treatment of COVID-19. Read our hydroxychloroquine Q&A for more information.

WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop treatments for COVID-19 and will continue to provide new information as it becomes available.

Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

In hospitals, physicians will sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections which can be a complication of COVID-19 in severely ill patients. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.

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Latest update 13 May 2021 - WHO is continuously monitoring and responding to this pandemic. This Q&A will be updated as more is known about COVID-19, how it spreads and how it is affecting people worldwide. For more information, regularly check the WHO coronavirus pages. https://www.who.int/covid-19

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Why everything is closing for coronavirus: It’s called "flattening the curve". Forbes. March 17, 2020. https://newsela.com/read/flattening-curve-coronavirus/id/2001006801/?collection_id=2000000398&search_id=3b13c322-b76b-4f0d-9716-30b1dd383da7

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Newsela | Why everything is closing for coronavirus: It's called "flattening the curve"

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Why are there so many closings and cancellations with fewer than 2,000 confirmed?

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19 businesses pivoting in response to COVID-19. Maddyness. March 31, 2020

https://www.maddyness.com/uk/2020/03/31/19-businesses-pivoting-in-response-to-covid-19/

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Companies have no choice but to adapt as quickly as they can during the Coronavirus pandemic. While some businesses have shut down or suspended their activities, others are aiming to benefit from the outbreak through change and innovation...

🔀Airbnb announced a new global initiative to help house 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders around the world during the COVID-19 crisis. Airbnb will waive all fees for stays arranged through this initiative.

🔀 accuRx have developed a video consultation service (in the space of a weekend!) and made it free for all frontline NHS staff. Patients don't need to download anything and doctors don't need fancy webcams or anything to use it. The statistics and feedback are incredible.

🔀 Top Cuvée, normally a neighbourhood restaurant and a bottle shop with a great bar becomes Shop Cuvée delivering food, drink and toiletries to their customers.

🔀 To help hospitals in fighting the coronavirus outbreak in France, the luxury group LVMH produced hand sanitiser at three of its perfume and cosmetics factories.

🔀 To support the NHS with medical equipment in the fighting against the COVID-19 crisis, Dyson has created the Dyson ventilator. It is efficient in conserving oxygen, bed-mounted, portable and doesn't need a fixed air supply.

🔀 Tunisian taxi startup IntiGo has temporarily become a delivery service. For $4/hour, the company will deliver groceries and other products to customers.

🔀 In London, Experience Haus has created OpenHaus, a series of virtual workshops to join for free throughout April, to keep on learning while self-isolating.

🔀 Koru Kids are now helping provide emergency childcare to parents who are working at home. They are also working to train medical students to provide childcare to the children of NHS staff.

🔀 The Los Angeles-based food truck turned restaurant Guerrilla Tacos has just launched several 'Emergency Kits'. The $149 option contains enough products for 60 tacos, plus a roll of toilet paper.

🔀 Signature Brew is paying out-of-work musicians to hand-deliver its 'Pub In A Box' product with glassware, snacks, a music quiz, playlists and beer.

🔀 Spiffy, the US on-demand car cleaning service have rolled-out a service to sanitise facilities and properties.

🔀 The UK's Department for Transport will explore new transportation modes including e-scooters and e-cargo bikes, as well as bringing the on-demand model (popularised by services like Uber) to buses and other public transport alternatives, as well as using drones for medical deliveries. It has also announced funding of £90M ($112M) for three new Future Transport Zones to trial these new services.

ChargedUp, the specialist in phone charging stations created CleanedUp for venues to provide hand sanitising facilities for their customers, to keep everyone safe and give confidence during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

BrewDog has transformed its distillery in a bid to help with the shortage of hand sanitisers, by creating a new one for giveaways to those in need.

Just to be clear, we will not be selling the sanitiser. But giving it away to those who need it. pic.twitter.com/hLjJLhjpuW

- James Watt (@BrewDogJames) March 18, 2020

🔀 The Rapids have transformed their "Field Trip" workshops into "Remote Field Trips", to help businesses seize opportunities, deliver mission-critical change and ride these rapids.

🔀 Netflix Party allows you to watch movies and TV shows with friends, wherever you are and also has group chat so you can react and discuss together.

🔀 1Rebel, London-based fitness club has announced that it is willing to offer its gym spaces to the NHS for extra beds during the coronavirus pandemic. 1Rebel co-founder James Balfour has said that he believes the gyms have space for up to 400 beds.

🔀 In Canada, INKSmith, a startup that was making design and tech tools accessible for kids, has now moved to make face shields and is hiring up to 100 new employees to meet demand.

🔀 3D-printing companies like Massachusetts-based Markforged and Formlabs are both making personal protective equipment like face shields, as well as nasal swabs to use for COVID-19 testing.

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19 businesses pivoting in response to COVID-19 - Maddyness UK

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Companies have no choice but to adapt as quickly as they can during the Coronavirus pandemic. While some businesses have shut down or suspended their activities, others are aiming to benefit from the outbreak through change and innovation... 🔀Airbnb announced a new global initiative to help house 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders around the world during the COVID-19 crisis.

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California's essential workforce spans a range of occupational areas. California Employment Development Department. March, 2020. https://www.ppic.org/blog/essential-workers-and-covid-19/

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Staying safe at work. Work Safe BC. March, 2020.  https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/health-and-safety/staying-safe-at-work

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Appropriate preventative measures should be in place for workers who continue to work during the COVID-19 outbreak. Below are some workplace protections to consider.

Respiratory protection

Respirators are currently only required for certain tasks.

The BC CDC advises that surgical/procedure masks should be used by sick people to prevent transmission to other people. A mask will help keep a person's droplets in.

They also advise that it may be less effective to wear a mask in the community when a person is not sick themselves. Masks may give a person a false sense of security and are likely to increase the number of times a person will touch their own face (e.g., to adjust the mask).

Workers in the health care sector may have a higher potential risk of coming into contact with infected persons. Health care workers should wear surgical masks, eye protection, gloves, and gowns in order to protect themselves and patients. During health care procedures in which aerosol sprays may be generated (for example, when giving certain inhaled medications), health care workers must wear specialized masks (e.g., N95s).

Physical distancing

Physical distancing requires us to make changes to our everyday routines and to minimize close contact with others. This means keeping approximately 2 metres distance between ourselves and others. You may need to limit the number of workers on site, to ensure these distances are kept.

Here are some tips for implementing physical distancing measures in your workplace:

Evaluate your work tasks and workspace

Can you reduce or suspend non-essential work, to allow some workers to stay home?

Can any of your workers perform work tasks remotely (e.g. work from home)?

Can you alternate and/or add additional shifts to reduce the risk of exposure and improve physical distancing?

Can you position the workers who are performing your essential business tasks further apart and still get the tasks done?

Can any of your workers perform work tasks in a location that allows them to put more distance between themselves and their co-workers or customers?

Involve your joint health and safety committee

Get your joint health and safety committee (or worker representative) involved in brainstorming physical distancing measures that could work in the spaces they work in.

Have your joint committee consider the interactions they have with others.

Get your joint committee involved in promoting approved physical distancing measures.

Change the way space is used and shared at your workplace

Minimize sharing of office space, including work vehicles. When you do share, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces before you leave the space (like you do at the gym). For vehicles, this includes the steering wheel, gear shift, and radio. For desks this includes the computer keyboard and mouse, desk surface, and phone.

Schedule rotating coffee and meal breaks to allow for 2 metres distance between workers in all break rooms, and do not share food or drink (no buffets).

Cancel in-person meetings and hold meetings by teleconference, video conference, or email instead.

Use work vehicles as satellite offices, for workers who can download work on their phone or portable computer.

Field workers should muster from home, rather than from an office, where feasible.

Communicate broadly

Make the message clear that the friendliest thing your workers can do for their co-workers and customers is keep a distance of 2 metres between themselves and the people they work with.

Encourage workers to use a standard greeting with each other that is positive but reminds others to keep a safe distance.

Protecting mental health

Workers in the workplace may also be affected by the anxiety and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 outbreak. It's important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and to take measures to support mental well-being. Here are some resources that can assist with maintaining mental health in the workplace during this time.

For more information

Note: The information on this page is based on current recommendations and may change. Content from health and safety associations and other parties is also subject to change and WorkSafeBC has not reviewed this material for the purpose of ensuring it is aligned with our guidance. For the latest guidance, please see the health information from the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, the latest news from the government of British Columbia, and the latest orders from the Office of the provincial health officer.

Workers and employers with questions or concerns about workplace exposure to COVID-19 can call WorkSafeBC's Prevention Information Line at 604.276.3100 in the Lower Mainland (toll-free within B.C. at 1.888.621.SAFE). You'll be able to speak to a prevention officer to get answers to your questions, and if required, a prevention officer will be assigned to assess the health and safety risk at your workplace.

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Appropriate preventative measures should be in place for workers who continue to work during the COVID-19 outbreak. Below are some workplace protections to consider. Respirators are currently only required for certain tasks. The BC CDC advises that surgical/procedure masks should be used by sick people to prevent transmission to other people.

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Wood, C. Hundreds of Amazon warehouse workers are set to call in sick to protest its response to COVID-19. Business Insider. April 2020. https://www.pulselive.co.ke/bi/tech/hundreds-of-amazon-warehouse-workers-are-set-to-call-in-sick-to-protest-its-response/2380c6s

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More than 300 Amazon employees have pledged to not go into work from Tuesday, according to worker rights group United for Respect.

The tech giant has come under fire, with workers claiming they don't have adequate protective equipment or distancing measures.

CEO Jeff Bezos has mooted the idea of mass-testing all Amazon staff for the coronavirus.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Hundreds of US Amazon workers are set to protest Amazon's handling of the coronavirus crisis by calling in sick this week.

More than 300 Amazon employees have pledged to not go into work starting Tuesday, according to worker rights group United for Respect . The figures were first reported by The Guardian .

United for Respect claims that there are confirmed COVID-19 cases at over 130 US warehouses . Business Insider has approached Amazon for confirmation on the number of warehouses impacted by COVID-19 cases. Previous reports have estimated that around 74 facilities have been affected.

The tech giant has come under fire after warehouse workers claimed the tech giant was not doing enough for their protection . Workers have told Business Insider that Amazon's sick leave policy is confusing and that there is not enough protective equipment or hand sanitizer available sometimes. Amazon lost its first warehouse worker to COVID-19 on March 31.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has mooted the idea of mass-testing all Amazon staff for coronavirus, claiming "a next step in protecting our employees might be regular testing of all Amazonians" in a letter to shareholders Thursday.

This suggestion jars with some of Amazon's recent reported actions, however.

The firm reportedly tried to shut down a virtual event for workers to speak out about its coronavirus response by deleting workers' calendar invites, and the National Labor Relations Board is looking into multiple claims by Amazon workers that the company unlawfully retaliated against them for speaking out.

NOW WATCH: Pathologists debunk 13 coronavirus myths

See Also:
SEE ALSO: Amazon reportedly tried to shut down a virtual event for workers to speak out about the company's coronavirus response by deleting employees' calendar invites

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Hundreds of Amazon warehouse workers are set to call in sick to protest its response to COVID-19

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More than 300 Amazon employees have pledged to not go into work from Tuesday, according to worker rights group United for Respect. The tech giant has come under fire, with workers claiming they don't have adequate protective equipment or distancing measures. CEO Jeff Bezos has mooted the idea of mass-testing all Amazon staff for the coronavirus.

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interview Dr. Brokvam about how she has made decisions about closing/opening the school.

carolineb@asamadagascar.org

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McMurty A. & Zampano, G. COVID-19: What went wrong in Italy and Spain?. Anadolu Agency. April 8, 2020. aa.com.tr/en/europe/covid-19-what-went-wrong-in-italy-and-spain/1797461

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OVIEDO, Spain / ROME, Italy

Although the pressure on Italian and Spanish hospitals is slowly beginning to ease, Spain and Italy remain the world's two worst-hit countries by the COVID-19 pandemic so far.

Together, the two Mediterranean countries account for around 40% of the total global COVID-19 deaths, with the disease having claimed some 31,000 lives in the two countries in less than two months.

Around 200,000 cases, many of them severe, remain active in both states.

There is no doubt that the two countries share several characteristics - highly social citizens, fair weather, densely populated cities, physically affectionate social interactions, and large elderly populations.

Yet, as both witness the overwhelming influx of COVID-19 patients begin to subside, it is now clear that timely government action could have potentially saved thousands of lives.

Unfortunately, overconfidence was another trait shared by the governments of Spain and Italy in the critical weeks leading up to COVID-19's explosion. Authorities in both countries underestimated just how fast the virus could spread and how quickly it could push their healthcare systems to the verge of collapse.

It took about three weeks from the time Italy discovered its first coronavirus case on Feb. 21 to the closure of all non-essential businesses and a national ban of unnecessary movements by the public.

Italy's failures - partially justified by the unprecedented nature of the event - happened despite the successful policies to contain the pandemic already used in countries such as China, South Korea, and Singapore.

According to many observers, one of the first stumbles in the Italian response to the outbreak was its failure to recognize the magnitude of the pandemic, and make decisions in real time, as the crisis was unfolding.

In late February, some Italian politicians, including the leader of the center-left Democratic Party Nicola Zingaretti - who was later infected by COVID-19 - showed themselves having drinks in Milan, promoting the idea that Italy's financial hub should continue business as usual amid the virus.

"The initial state-of-emergency declarations were met by skepticism by both the public and many in policy circles - even though several scientists had been warning of the potential for a catastrophe for weeks," researchers wrote for the Harvard Business Review in late March.

To further complicate what was admittedly an unprecedented crisis, Italy failed to adopt a coordinated approach to the emergency.

When the first decree announcing the closing of northern Italy was issued on March 8, it sparked a massive, frightened exodus to southern Italy, ironically and inadvertently spreading the virus to other regions.

In addition, the government often clashed with regional governors who were calling for a quicker and more extensive response.

Mass gatherings as clouds gathered

Spain, despite the added advantage of seeing what was happening in Italy, also failed to recognize the exponential spread in the critical early weeks of the virus's introduction into the country. In Spain, the first COVID-19 case was reported on Jan. 31. The first death occurred on Feb. 13, but it was not diagnosed post-mortem until early March.

On March 8, the same day a quarantine zone was declared across much of Northern Italy, the Spanish government was encouraging people across the country to take to the streets for International Women's Day protests.

At the time, 10 people had already died of COVID-19 in Spain and 520 cases had been confirmed. On the day of the massive protests, Spain's health minister held a press conference telling people to stay home if they were feeling ill.

In Madrid, Spain's hardest-hit region, 120,000 people packed into the city center to support gender equality. The same day, supporters gathered in crowds as large as 60,000 in dozens of other Spanish cities, as other large events like football games and political rallies continued in full force.

Among those who joined the women's march, three Cabinet ministers from the country's left-wing coalition and the first lady were later diagnosed with COVID-19. Irene Montero, the minister of equality, tested positive just four days later.

Even though the mayor of the Italian city of Bergamo described a February Champions' League football match between Italy's Atalanta and Spain's Valencia as "a biological bomb," Spain's government has not criticized its decision to promote the massive protests.

In an interview with El Correo daily on Sunday, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain's interior minister, said "this government has no reason to regret anything."

'Virus isn't in Spain'

In late February and early March, there was no strong voice in the government warning of the seriousness of the pandemic. Fernando Simón, the epidemiologist leading the Spanish government's response, said in late January that Spain probably "wouldn't have more than a few cases." In late February, a critical moment in the virus' spread across the country, he told a press conference that "the virus isn't in Spain."

As a result, Spain failed to stockpile medical equipment, tests and protective gear until it was too late - issues compounded by budget cuts to the healthcare system in the years of austerity following the 2008 financial crisis. So far, around 20,000 Spanish healthcare workers have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

It wasn't until the day after the women's protests that authorities claim to have noticed a massive uptick in the spread of coronavirus. On March 10, all gatherings of more than 1,000 people were banned in cities, including Madrid. Just six days after International Women's Day, the country was under total lockdown.

Like in Italy, in the week of limbo between normality and full lockdown, thousands of people living in cities like Madrid fled to their second residences or hometowns to avoid being quarantined or cooped up in the city. On March 9, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was filmed greeting people with the customary two kisses on the cheek, a gesture now viewed as recklessness.

Hardly a week later and Spain was engaged in a full-fledged war against the disease. The spread had gotten so out of control that the country imposed one of the world's strictest lockdowns on March 14, one which will last until at least April 25.

Everyone was told to stay at home, the national government centralized the sanitary response, and the country eventually released its biggest ever financial stimulus hoping to cushion the economic shock of the pandemic.

A tale of 2 regions

Unlike in Spain, different regions in Italy ended up putting in place different policies, which had a clear impact on the virus' spread. The most striking example was the contrast between the crisis management of Lombardy and Veneto, two neighboring regions that were hit first by the outbreak.

Lombardy - Italy's wealthiest region - still has the grim record of more than 28,300 current cases and 9,400 deaths, in a population of 10 million. Veneto fared significantly better, with about 9,900 current cases and 695 deaths in a population of about 5 million.

Veneto's outcome was due to a much more extensive approach than Lombardy, based on broad testing of both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, together with active tracing of possible positives and a strong emphasis on home diagnosis and care, which reduced the hospitals' burden.

Experts said the so-called "Veneto model" could have been used early on to shape both regional and central policies. That, however, happened only more than a month from the start of the outbreak.

Like Lombardy, Spain quickly fell behind in testing and only had enough resources to diagnose the most severe cases or those in essential workers by the time the state of emergency began. The country now aims to follow the lead of Veneto and is devising a strategy to test the population more broadly.

Unfortunately, the story is a continuing one. As Italy failed to learn from Asian examples and Spain in turn failed to learn from Italy, other countries like the United States are continuing to prove how deadly an overly optimistic attitude can be in a time of global pandemic.

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.

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COVID-19: What went wrong in Italy and Spain?

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OVIEDO, Spain / ROME, Italy Although the pressure on Italian and Spanish hospitals is slowly beginning to ease, Spain and Italy remain the world's two worst-hit countries by the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Together, the two Mediterranean countries account for around 40% of the total global COVID-19 deaths, with the disease having claimed some 31,000 lives in the two countries in less than two months.

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Winton Team. How different countries are reacting to the COVID-19 risk and their governments’ responses. University of Cambridge. April, 2020. https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/wintoncovid1

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How are data models helping government leaders make decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic? CBS. April 13, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM7tchFdI7Q

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How are data models helping government leaders make decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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Godin, M. Sweden's Relaxed Approach to the Coronavirus Could Already Be Backfiring. Time. April 9, 2020. https://time.com/5817412/sweden-coronavirus/

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Sweden's Relaxed Approach to the Coronavirus Could Be Backfiring

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The Swedish government continues to advocate for relaxed measures to address the coronavirus. But the country has a relatively high case fatality rate.

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How the coronavirus pandemic is impacting mental health. ABC News.  March 14, 2020.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhY6B1nAvic

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How the coronavirus pandemic is impacting mental health

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Jiang, M. What makes it so tiring - and how can we reduce ‘Zoom fatigue’?. BBC. April 22, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200421-why-zoom-video-chats-are-so-exhausting

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Your screen freezes. There's a weird echo. A dozen heads stare at you. There are the work huddles, the one-on-one meetings and then, once you're done for the day, the hangouts with friends and family.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, we're on video calls more than ever before - and many are finding it exhausting.

But what, exactly, is tiring us out? BBC Worklife spoke to Gianpiero Petriglieri, an associate professor at Insead, who explores sustainable learning and development in the workplace, and Marissa Shuffler, an associate professor at Clemson University, who studies workplace wellbeing and teamwork effectiveness, to hear their views.
Is video chat harder? What's different compared to face-to-face communication?
Being on a video call requires more focus than a face-to-face chat, says Petriglieri. Video chats mean we need to work harder to process non-verbal cues like facial expressions, the tone and pitch of the voice, and body language; paying more attention to these consumes a lot of energy. "Our minds are together when our bodies feel we're not. That dissonance, which causes people to have conflicting feelings, is exhausting. You cannot relax into the conversation naturally," he says.

Silence is another challenge, he adds. "Silence creates a natural rhythm in a real-life conversation. However, when it happens in a video call, you became anxious about the technology." It also makes people uncomfortable. One 2014 study by German academics showed that delays on phone or conferencing systems shaped our views of people negatively: even delays of 1.2 seconds made people perceive the responder as less friendly or focused.
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An added factor, says Shuffler, is that if we are physically on camera, we are very aware of being watched. "When you're on a video conference, you know everybody's looking at you; you are on stage, so there comes the social pressure and feeling like you need to perform. Being performative is nerve-wracking and more stressful." It's also very hard for people not to look at their own face if they can see it on screen, or not to be conscious of how they behave in front of the camera.

Yet if video chats come with extra stressors, our Zoom fatigue can't be attributed solely to that. Our current circumstances - whether lockdown, quarantine, working from home or otherwise - are also feeding in.

A 2014 study found that delays on phone or conferencing systems shaped our views of people negatively (Credit: Getty Images)

Petriglieri believes that fact we feel forced into these calls may be a contributory factor. "The video call is our reminder of the people we have lost temporarily. It is the distress that every time you see someone online, such as your colleagues, that reminds you we should really be in the workplace together," he says. "What I'm finding is, we're all exhausted; It doesn't matter whether they are introverts or extroverts. We are experiencing the same disruption of the familiar context during the pandemic."

Then there's the fact that aspects of our lives that used to be separate - work, friends, family - are all now happening in the same space. The self-complexity theory posits that individuals have multiple aspects - context-dependent social roles, relationships, activities and goals - and we find the variety healthy, says Petriglieri. When these aspects are reduced, we become more vulnerable to negative feelings.

"Most of our social roles happen in different places, but now the context has collapsed," says Petriglieri. "Imagine if you go to a bar, and in the same bar you talk with your professors, meet your parents or date someone, isn't it weird? That's what we're doing now... We are confined in our own space, in the context of a very anxiety-provoking crisis, and our only space for interaction is a computer window."

Shuffler says a lack of downtime after we've fulfilled work and family commitments may be another factor in our tiredness, while some of us may be putting higher expectations on ourselves due to worries over the economy, furloughs and job losses. "There's also that heightened sense of 'I need to be performing at my top level in a situation'... Some of us are kind of over-performing to secure our jobs."
But when I'm Zooming my friends, for example, shouldn't that relax me?
Lots of us are doing big group chats for the first time, whether it's cooking and eating a virtual Easter dinner, attending a university catch-up or holding a birthday party for a friend. If the call is meant to be fun, why might it feel tiring?

Part of it, says Shuffler, is whether you're joining in because you want to or because you feel you ought to - like a virtual happy hour with colleagues from work. If you see it as an obligation, that means more time that you're 'on' as opposed to getting a break. A proper chat with friends will feel more social and there will be less 'Zoom fatigue' from conversations where you've had a chance to be yourself.

Big group calls can feel particularly performative, Petriglieri warns. People like watching television because you can allow your mind to wander - but a large video call "is like you're watching television and television is watching you". Large group chats can also feel depersonalising, he adds, because your power as an individual is diminished. And despite the branding, it may not feel like leisure time. "It doesn't matter whether you call it a virtual happy hour, it's a meeting, because mostly we are used to using these tools for work."
So how can we alleviate Zoom fatigue?

Both experts suggest limiting video calls to those that are necessary. Turning on the camera should be optional and in general there should be more understanding that cameras do not always have to be on throughout each meeting. Having your screen off to the side, instead of straight ahead, could also help your concentration, particularly in group meetings, says Petriglieri. It makes you feel like you're in an adjoining room, so may be less tiring.

In some cases it's worth considering if video chats are really the most efficient option. When it comes to work, Shuffler suggests shared files with clear notes can be a better option that avoids information overload. She also suggests taking time during meetings to catch up before diving into business. "Spend some time to actually check into people's wellbeing," she urges. "It's a way to reconnect us with the world, and to maintain trust and reduce fatigue and concern."

Building transition periods in between video meetings can also help refresh us - try stretching, having a drink or doing a bit of exercise, our experts say. Boundaries and transitions are important; we need to create buffers which allow us to put one identity aside and then go to another as we move between work and private personas.

And maybe, says Petriglieri, if you want to reach out, go old-school. "Write a letter to someone instead of meeting them on Zoom. Tell them you really care about them."

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Your screen freezes. There's a weird echo. A dozen heads stare at you. There are the work huddles, the one-on-one meetings and then, once you're done for the day, the hangouts with friends and family. Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, we're on video calls more than ever before - and many are finding it exhausting.

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Keeping a Positive Mindset in Quarantine. University of Queensland. April 22, 2020. https://www.uqu.com.au/blog/covid-19/keeping-a-positive-mindset-in-quarantine

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Sometimes the simple act of refocusing your attention to the positives, finding the beauty in what we have and enjoying all the small things that still exist for us day to day is a good way to redirect your headspace to something more positive.

It's important to acknowledge that we have no control over our situation but we can control how we react.

Here is a list of questions you can ask yourself each day while you are in coronavirus quarantine. Once you have identified the answer try to actively write it down, to think about it or put it into action. Doing this can help to redirect your headspace to focusing on the positives by engaging in activities that highlight positive things in your life.

1. What am I GRATEFUL for today?

2. Who am I going to CONNECT with today?

3. What expectation of "normal" am I LETTING GO of today?

4. How am I getting OUTSIDE today?

5. How will I get some MOVEMENT in today?

6. What BEAUTY or CREATIVITY am I cultivating or inviting in today?

7. What POSITIVITY or KINDNESS am I inviting in or sending out today?

What am I GRATEFUL for today?

Research shows that learning to practice gratitude is a useful tool in helping people to manage hardship and stressful situations. Taking time each day to reflect on things you are grateful for, no matter how small can add up over time.

This can help to play a part in refocusing your thoughts and feelings away from some of the negative things that come along with being in challenging conditions such as social distancing or quarantine and back to the positive things you still have going on in your life such as opportunity to learn new skills, more time to reach out to people who you may not have spoken to in a while or a chance to engage in some positive reflection and self care.

Who am I going to CONNECT with today?

One very important key in keeping positive, while practicing social distancing or quarantine is to try to remain connected with others. So how is this important to staying positive you might ask?

When we experience feelings of loneliness research has shown that it can increase vulnerability to other stress happening in our lives , cause a more intense reaction to negative situations, as well as reduce the emotional boost of positives ( Cacioppo,& Patrick,2008 ).

Creating connections with others can help us to feel less stressed and thus better able to cope with difficult situations. So how can we remain connected when we are being discouraged to leave our homes except for essential travel?

The answer is technology! Text, email, social media, Facetime, Zoom, Houseparty, online games ... There are plenty of ways you can use technology to still have a conversation and remain connected to people in your life.

That being said having a conversation via technology doesn't quite measure up to the same level of connection as a face to face chat. If you find that you are experiencing loneliness and it's impacting your mood, it's important to reach out. Some helpful places to reach out to include
John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick (2008) Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection , W W Norton and Co
What expectation of "normal" am I LETTING GO of today?

One of the hardest challenges to keeping a positive mindset in quarantine or while practicing social distancing is the changes and impacts to our daily routines and the change in our reality of what is for now, the new normal.

Where we use to be able to go out, go to dinner with friends, not be concerned about being in close proximity to someone or even easily being able to buy toilet paper, we now have to change our expectations about all of these things.

It's important to be realistic and remind ourselves that while this won't last forever. F or now, our expectations for what is normal need to be adjusted. Reminding ourselves of this is a helpful way to prepare for disruption to routine, disappointment in not being able to do the things you once could and building resilience to cope with some of the stresses that come along with this whole pandemic situation.

How am I getting OUTSIDE today?

One of the major contributing factors to people slipping into an unhelpful or negative headspace while practicing self isolation or being in quarantine is being stuck inside.

Being stuck inside all day can be very confining and start to feel like you are in prison which is going to have an impact on anyone's mood after a while. For this reason it's important to make sure that you get some sunshine and fresh air (while still following the law) so that you don't feel like you're trapped in a box. Try to schedule some technology free time each day to go outside, where you can mindfully sit in your backyard or on your balcony. Be sure to take a moment to notice the feeling of the sun on your skin, the grass beneath your feet and the breeze on your face.

If you have neither a backyard or balcony available to you, or you are getting sick of the backyard, maybe consider going for a walk to any of your essential travel destinations like the grocery store ( just remember to stick to social distancing rules).

You can also use our Outdoor Mindfulness Exercises guide as a way of connecting with your surroundings and disconnecting from the feeling of being cooped up inside. Read more.

How will I get some MOVEMENT in today?

There is a lot of research that suggests that there is a direct link between our mood and how much physical activity we do each day. It can be very tempting when you are stuck at home to just sit on the couch and watch Netflix and while this is ok for a while, it's important that you also make time in your day to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity in. Physical activity helps our brains to produce chemicals that have a positive impact on our mood and overall sense of wellbeing. One easy way to maintain a positive mindset in isolation is to ensure you get some movement into your day.

This doesn't necessarily have to be a gym style workout, there are plenty of ways that you can get your body moving. Try going for a walk or run, play with your dog, clean the house, do some work in your garden or even learn a Tik Tok dance routine! As long as you are moving!

You can also take a look at the Healthier. Happier. exercise resources, available for free from the Queensland Government.

What BEAUTY or CREATIVITY am I cultivating or inviting in today?

Using the time you have to create something is a great way to keep your mind occupied, feel like you are accomplishing something, and have fun!

When we are creating something our mind becomes focused on the task, you can start to lose sense of time and self and just let your creative juices flow. There is research that suggests that being in this state is almost meditative and can reduce anxiety, boost your mood and even slow your heart rate! When you have completed it and can see, hear, feel, smell or taste the result your brain releases chemicals that make us feel happy and accomplished. These are all key things that will contribute to maintaining a positive mindset.

Our busy lives usually prohibit us from taking the time to sit down and just create something beautiful. Well now you have time so take advantage! Draw that picture, create that pretty flower garden, bake that cake, write that story, get that creativity flowing!

To get you started, we've created a University of Queensland colouring-in sheet! Download here.

What POSITIVITY or KINDNESS am I inviting in or sending out today?

Positivity can be a very hard thing to maintain during a global pandemic. With so much negativity, unease and confusion going on around us it can be easy to be impacted by it all. And to an extent negative impacts will be inevitable. This is unfortunately something we don't have much control over right now.

However, what we do have control over is how we react to the negativity. Every day we can choose to make sure that we invite in positivity by doing one thing that sends out positivity to others. Just like it's easy to get impacted by negative things going on around us it's also easy to create positive impacts with our own actions. When we do things that create positivity and kindness we begin to feel those feelings of positivity ourselves.

Something as simple as checking in on someone who is struggling, donating to someone in need, putting out a positive message or getting involved in campaigns that promote positivity all help to make things that little bit more positive. When we all add to that positivity it begins to multiply and spread and bring a bit of light to the world during this time.

The simple act of asking yourself these questions each day and engaging in the answers you come up for each one is a helpful way to shift your focus from the negativity of everything going on around you to the positivity of the things you do have going on for you in your life.

Being able to shift focus from the negative to the positive is a key component in good mental health. Remember all the little bits of positivity can add up and make you see that there is more positivity than you might realise. This positive mindset exercise can help you to see that despite everything that's going on there is still something to be positive about.

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Keeping a Positive Mindset in Quarantine - University of Queensland Union

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Sometimes the simple act of refocusing your attention to the positives, finding the beauty in what we have and enjoying all the small things that still exist for us day to day is a good way to redirect your headspace to something more positive.

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Change:

-How has the coronavirus helped the environment?

-How has coronavirus changed human lifestyles and what is the effect on the environment?

-Are the changes to the environment long lasting?

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Henriques, M. We know that carbon emissions have sharply fallen during lockdown. But will all these changes actually be good for the environment in the long run?. BBC. April 22, 2020.  https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200422-how-has-coronavirus-helped-the-environment

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There's clear water in the Venice canals, blue skies over Delhi and wild animals are roaming boldly in locked-down cities. The oil industry and airlines are floundering in this new world, and carbon emissions are falling fast.

But there are also mountains of food going to waste that our supply chains aren't set up to deal with. And, what's more, the radical changes to daily life that we're seeing now are not - thankfully - going to be permanent.

History tells us that when emissions have fallen sharply in the past, as they do after recessions, there's often a rocketing rebound that wipes out any short-term cut in emissions. (Read more about Covid-19's lasting impact on the environment.)

Is this pandemic any different?

Future Planet talks to BBC Minute about the close ties between lockdown and carbon emissions. In a nutshell: we could see long-lasting positive environmental change after the pandemic. But it's all down to how we move on after lockdown.

You can watch the video above.

--
As an award-winning science site, BBC Future is committed to bringing you evidence-based analysis and myth-busting stories around the new coronavirus. You can read more of our Covid-19 coverage here If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called "The Essential List". A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife, and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. .
--

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We know that carbon emissions have sharply fallen during lockdown. But will all these changes actually be good for the environment in the long run?

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Ball, S. Clearer water, cleaner air: The environmental effects of coronavirus. France 24. March 20, 2020. https://www.france24.com/en/20200320-clearer-water-cleaner-air-the-environmental-effects-of-coronavirus

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From crystal clear waters in the canals of Venice to dramatic falls in pollution levels in major cities, the coronavirus pandemic has had a number of positive effects on the environment as millions across the world are placed under lockdown.

The crowds of tourists who normally swarm the Venice canals are gone and the number of motorboats vastly reduced.

As a consequence, the normally polluted waters of the canals are clearer than at any time many locals can remember.

"The canal is definitely clearer, you just have to look at the canal when water is very calm. There are no boats, there is no traffic. Definitely it is cleaner," said Venice resident Serguei Michtchenk.

It is just one of the possibly beneficial effects on the environment of the coronavirus pandemic.

In cities across the world, the streets have emptied of people and vehicles, factories have shut down and flights have been grounded.

In China, satellite images from NASA and the European Space Agency have shown a significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide pollution in the early months of this year after much of the country went into lockdown.

A similar effect has been seen in northern Italy. While in New York, scientists at Columbia University reported a 5-10 percent drop in CO2 emissions this week as traffic levels fell 35 percent.

But the environmental benefits could be short-lived. China this week began reopening factories in Hubei province as the country reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time.

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Clearer water, cleaner air: The environmental effects of coronavirus

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From crystal clear waters in the canals of Venice to dramatic falls in pollution levels in major cities, the coronavirus pandemic has had a number of positive effects on the environment as millions across the world are placed under lockdown. The crowds of tourists who normally swarm the Venice canals are gone and the number of motorboats vastly reduced.

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Kienapple, B. The Coronavirus Pandemic’s Impact on the Environment [Infographic]. Venngage. April 14, 2020.https://venngage.com/blog/coronavirus-impact-on-environment-infographic/

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Scientists first noticed a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in China, where the pandemic began. This trend followed the pandemic's spread across the world.

Meanwhile, viral social media posts started to pop up about wildlife sightings in urban areas, claiming "nature just hit the reset button on us."

Less reported has been the dramatic rise in medical waste and packaging from online shopping.
In this post, we'll look at the full environmental impact of the COVID-19 crisis to date and what lessons we can take from this tragedy to fight climate change in the future.
First, let's look at the data via our exclusive infographic:

Learn how to make an infographic yourself with our step-by-step guide for beginners.

So, what do these statistics and anecdotes mean for the environment in the short and long-term? What lessons can we take from them to fight climate change and stop global warming in the future? Let's take a look by category.

Table of Contents:

1. Coronavirus pandemic's impact on carbon emissions

Traffic congestion

With lockdown or stay at home orders in effect in countries across the globe due to the coronavirus pandemic, there's been a steep decline in travel and economic activity worldwide.

Traffic congestion in major cities fell dramatically as a result. In New York, peak congestion went down 47 percent from the 2019 average on the morning of March 23. Los Angeles experienced a 51 percent drop, according to Fox News and the TomTom Traffic Index.

With less traffic comes less pollutants like carbon monoxide. Of course, once non-essential employees are allowed to return to their place of work, traffic congestion and pollution will rise accordingly. Will there be any lasting effect on the environment?

One clue comes from Wuhan, China where the outbreak began in late 2019. Traffic is still down 50 percent as of late March, even as restrictions have been lifted and employees have returned to their jobs.

Air travel

Air travel has also taken a major hit, thanks to order to shelter in place, and greenhouse gases will predictably decline too.

Airplane emissions of carbon dioxide reached over 900 million tons in 2018 and are projected to triple by 2050, according to the United Nations aviation body. The issue is that even as airlines are becoming more fuel efficient, the increase in demand was projected to outweigh these gains.

And yet, suddenly demand has dropped drastically. In the first three months of 2020, 67 million fewer passengers flew in Europe compared to the year before, says Airports Council International.

In the U.S., domestic air traffic fell about 40 percent, according to NPR. Though cancellations have been greater worldwide than in the US, nor have states instituted domestic air travel restrictions.

Still, while this trend will cut greenhouse gas emissions from air travel, the result has also been mass layoffs and voluntary unpaid leave.

Effect on carbon emissions

Has the drop in traffic and air travel had a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide?

It appears so. China's carbon emissions fell by around 25 percent over a four-week period after Chinese New Year, according to Carbon Brief.

One controversial study from G-Feed said that improvements in air quality recorded in China over two months this year may have saved the lives of 4,000 children under five years old and 73,000 adults over 70 years old.

Elsewhere, northern Italy reported a 10 percent reduction in the pollutant nitrogen dioxide per week over the four to five weeks before March 17. The area has been hit hard by COVID-19 and been in lockdown.

The improvement in air quality was even more apparent in Madrid, Spain due to stay at home orders for the entire country. The average level of nitrogen dioxide recorded on March 17 was almost 75 percent lower than the previous week. And in New York City, carbon monoxide, mainly from cars, had been reduced by nearly 50 percent compared with March 2019.

Short-term vs. long-term effects on climate change

Unfortunately, this dip in carbon emissions will likely only last as long as the virus does. Activity will ramp up once the pandemic subsides, creating a rebound effect seen in other crises, says Spanish newspaper El Pais.

The 2008 financial crisis caused a 1 percent dip in carbon dioxide but once the economy recovered, emissions crept back up-at a rate faster then before the crisis.

The bottom line? "We will not fight climate change with a virus," said UN Secretary-General Anthonio Guterres on March 13.

After all, measures to halt coronavirus's spread will not have a long-lasting effect on climate change. Structural change is needed. But the fact remains that some pre-existing trends, like the rise of remote work, have been accelerated with the pandemic and will have lasting effects on cutting carbon emissions and slowing global warming.

Coronavirus pandemic's impact on waste

Medical waste

The huge demand for disposable medical products such as single-use gloves, surgical masks and empty IV bags in the wake of the pandemic has created a deluge of medical waste.

In Wuhan, China, the volume of medical waste is reported to have risen from 40 to 240 tons a day at the height of the epidemic, according to the South China Morning Post. Medical waste facilities in 29 cities were at or near full capacity.

Masks used by healthcare workers are sterilized and then go to landfill or are incinerated. But Chinese manufacturers were also making 116 million masks a day by the end of February. It's unknown yet how quickly the public has been using and disposing of these masks-which the government suggests people wear in public.

The surge in solid medical waste is just beginning to confront the US. And not only is this an environmental issue, but it puts the 467,000 workers employed by the U.S. waste collection and disposal industry at risk.

The upside? The US has more capacity at its medical waste treatment centers than China does to deal with medical waste, says Bloomberg.

But, that still doesn't address the home garbage and recycling put out by both sick and asymptomatic individuals. So far provision of PPE and guidelines to protect waste workers have been scattershot.

Reusable packaging

Plastic packaging is enjoying an increase in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. Seen as a more sanitary option, shopper spend in Europe on packaged food products is soaring.

In Italy, consumer spend on packaged mandarins rose over 111 percent in the week ending on March 8, versus the same period in 2019. This is despite the fact there's been no evidence that either food or food packaging can transmit COVID-19.

In the US, reusable bags have been banned in New Hampshire, Illinois and Massachusetts, says MarketWatch. Republicans are lobbying Washington, New York and New Jersey to ban or delay their respective plastic bag bans.

The argument is that reusable bags are more likely to carry the coronavirus. While research has found the coronavirus can live for 72 hours on plastic, cloth wasn't tested.

What is certain is in a 2015 study in the journal Science found that 275 million metric tons (MT) of plastic was produced in 192 coastal countries in 2010 - and 4.8 to 12.7 MT of that went into the ocean. The coronavirus pandemic is sure to accelerate this trend.

Online shopping packaging

About 165 billion packages are shipped in the US each year, with the cardboard used roughly equating to more than 1 billion trees, reported LimeLoop. Amazon and meal kit deliveries like Blue Apron are just two e-retailers contributing to the overflow of cardboard and plastic.

Now, with the public afraid to leave the house or under strict shelter in place rules, there's been a surge in demand for online shopping.

In fact, Amazon's sales have increased to the point that they announced they need to hire 100,000 new employees to meet demand. The fallout from this huge increase in packaging waste remains to be seen.

The United Nations predicts that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. The coronavirus pandemic will undoubtably accelerate this trend, while contributing to other problems -clogging drainage systems, litter and releasing pollutants when burned.

Commercial waste

An executive at a large waste company said 300 customers have already suspended service this week, reports Politico.

This is up from just 25 suspensions last Friday, meaning less commercial waste. The executive expects that number to grow to 1,000 soon. Whether this trend will balance out the increase in consumer waste discussed above remains to be seen.

Coronavirus pandemic's impact on wildlife

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, an idea began circulating online that the earth is regenerating itself. Supposed sightings of wildlife roaming free in urban areas gained tens of thousands of likes and shares.

Some of these reports proved to be true and others, picked up by the likes of the Guardian and the Japan Times, were false.

In Nara, Japan, sika deer wandered through city streets and subway stations because the tourists who normally fed them in city parks have evaporated.

Indian social media went wild about footage of a stag scampering through Dehradun, the capital of the northern state of Uttarakhand. A puma turned up in the center of the Chilean capital Santiago, which is under curfew. Neither of these accounts have been disproven.

Other accounts overlooked the fact that these animals were already regular visitors to these areas. Wild boar have long descended the hills around Barcelona to look for food and antagonize people. Gangs of wild turkeys have long been a regular sight in Oakland, California.

Venice hasn't seen clear canal water in a very long time. Dolphins showing up too. Nature just hit the reset button on us pic.twitter.com/RzqOq8ftCj

- Luca De Santis (@yesaints) March 17, 2020

Probably the most famous story was the viral social media post reporting that dolphins and swans had returned to Venice's canals. Fake news, says National Geographic. The dolphins were filmed outside Venice and swans are regular visitors to the canals.

The popularity of these animal stories shows the need to find meaning in this devastating global pandemic and that there is a purpose behind the thousands of deaths. Not to mention that emotions are running high and happy animal footage can feel like the perfect antidote to stress.

Coronavirus pandemic's impact on energy

Broadband demand

The Internet Exchange in Frankfurt set a new world record for data throughput on March 10, resulting in more energy usage.

At more than 9.1 Terabits per second, a new sound barrier has been broken-thanks to more people streaming video and searching for information on coronavirus.

Italy had a roughly 70 percent increase in broadband demand and France had a 30 percent increase, CNN reported. In South Korea, online gaming activity jumped 30 percent between March 5 and March 12, while streaming of content from anime sites has doubled.

Save On Energy discovered that the energy produced from the 64 million streams of the third season of Stranger Things is comparable to driving more than 420 million miles and emitting over 189 million kg of CO2. That's the equivalent of driving from Marrakech to Cape Town and back 28,391 times.

Servers

Not everyone agrees that streaming is so energy intensive. Experts argue that streaming content is largely hosted locally and doesn't take much energy to retrieve, reports Mashable. On the other hand, big data and algorithms, like those used to display different products to diiferent online shoppers, eat up much more computational energy via huge data centers.

Data centers consume 1.5 percent of the total power in the U.S, according to 2007 government data. The move to remote working in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic lessens reliance on enterprise servers, but more on cloud services which requires its own energy-guzzling data centers.

Still, data centers only contribute to 0.3 percent of the world's carbon emissions and take up 1 percent of global energy demand, says Nature. In the broad scheme of things, an increase in both streaming and big data won't have as big an impact as other factors, like a rapid rise in medical waste.

In summary: the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the environment

Most environmental impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, such as a decline in carbon emissions and increase in medical waste, will be temporary.

The real lesson lies in some pre-existing climate-friendly trends which have been accelerated. Business travel could decline, as executives realize video conferences can achieve the same effect. International trade might roll back as countries realize how reliant they are on the global supply chain and decide to produce their own goods, says the Yale Environment 360.

And the demand for remote work has long existed. Companies may now finally realize workers can still be productive from home, while downsizing offices or getting rid of them altogether (and the expenses associated with them).

Doubtless, the loss of life from COVID-19 will be devastating. There is nothing to celebrate about such a horrific tragedy. It is perhaps a small victory against such a reality to learn from what's happened and apply it to fight climate change and slow global warming in the future.

Scientist on lessons from the coronavirus pandemic we can apply to fight climate change

We asked environmental scientists, science writers and NGOs what lessons can we take from the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the environment in order to fight climate change and stop global warming in the future. Is there anything we can learn from this tragedy going forward to reduce waste, emissions and our carbon footprint? Here are their responses.

The revenue shortfall state governments will be experiencing from the impending recession will lead them to new revenue sources by necessity. This would be a good time to try creative revenue generation sources-fuel taxes, congestion fees, carbon taxes/emission allowances-that can help them get over this hump and help the environment.

COVID-19 gives me hope regarding climate change, and here's why: as we work together to flatten the curve for coronavirus, we are learning lessons that can be applied to the climate change crisis. The international scientific community came together swiftly and is working closely on a COVID-19 response. This proves that the global community is capable of working collaboratively to solve a problem bigger than any one of our respective countries. The connection between COVID-19 and climate change is also being referenced regularly, and conversations about the environment are coming from outlets you would not typically see.

There are a number of similarities between the COVID-19 crisis and climate change, including that they demand early and aggressive action to flatten the curve. In the case of climate change, it is the emissions curve. There is a significant cost to denying scientific expertise, so we need to act quickly and appropriately. The extent to how extreme either one of these global crises gets, depends on our actions.

-Jen Kretser, Director of Climate Initiatives, The Wild Center

One of the things that we can learn from the pandemic's effects on the environment is that we CAN actually have an impact if there were a global effort to do so. It is inspiring how cities that have extreme levels of air pollution, from Los Angeles to New Delhi, people are seeing the difference of what the air and life quality would be like if there were a minimal number of cars and emissions from polluting industries. Although we don't yet have the data available, it is likely that the reduction in air pollution is responsible for the anecdotal observation of reduced numbers of asthma and heart attack episodes coming into the emergency departments. Another lesson will be how productive many workers can be while working from home when they are given the proper tools. I think that many companies will see the value of having many workers work from home, reducing the need for commuting and also reducing the office space needed to conduct business.

-Dr. Luz Claudio, Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, drluzclaudio.com

While most countries are seeing a reduction in carbon emissions and other air pollutants during the Covid-19 pandemic, the trend is not likely to be long lasting. There is no indication that people will permanently change travel and consumption habits as a result of the pandemic and emissions are expected to return to previous levels. There is one hope, though: the demand for online communication tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Skype has skyrocketed and many employers have been forced to implement policies of teleworking. With the technology and employer policies in place, we can only hope employees will be allowed and maybe even encouraged to work from home more often after the pandemic is over. This may be one way we will see a reduction in carbon emission as a result of Covid-19.

-Seth Newton, Ph.D. in Applied Environmental Science, OutMoreUSA.com

If we are able to "reset" our thinking after the coronavirus, we can be motivated to be more eco-friendly in our day to day lives. Jobs that can be done remotely should stay that way, for example, to minimize the use of cars and public transport. People will have learned to be more resourceful and less wasteful during this time, shopping more sustainably out of necessity. I think we can try to look on the positive side after the coronavirus and carry our new found zero-waste habits into the future. I think it is possible to heal the planet faster than we expected after what we've seen with the coronavirus. The whole world doesn't need to stop for positive environmental changes to happen, but small lifestyle adjustments from people all over the world that can go a long way to help the environment.

-Casper Ohm, Senior Research Scientist, Water Pollution Institute

Business leaders on sustainability initiatives planned post-crisis

We asked business leaders how they plan on reducing their business's negative impact on the environment once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided?

The way we work has changed drastically in the past month, resulting in less emissions. Do they plan on allowing their employees more work from home days, limiting air travel, buying from local suppliers, cutting down on office garbage etc.?

Here are their responses.

As a company that could be completely remote, we have always resisted going down that path for fear we would lose some of the creative energy that goes into our best products and services. As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, we implemented an immediate shift to a work from home strategy, one that has been a success so far. Such a success, in fact, that management has discussed the possibility of a policy that allows two work from home days each week. If we wanted to get more radical, though, the idea has been floated to leave our workforce remote and get rid of the home office, which would save the company money on rent and utilities and certainly reduce our negative environmental impact.

My clients are clothing retailers and one of the initiatives I'm working on now is using technology to reduce the amount of samples and photoshoots we need, which saves resources and the need for lots of travel. I've invested in 3d modelling software and training, to help clients reduce the amount of waste they create in the development process.

My great hope is that the speed at which our current crisis has developed, and the need for every person, and business, to change their behaviour to avert it will act as a lesson in collective responsibility and our ability to make positive change for our future. We already try to reduce our impact by driving electric cars, running on renewable energy, using sustainable paper products, etc but we know that we can do more ourselves, and encourage our clients to do more themselves. My great hope is that the other players in the travel industry, such as the airlines, will push toward cleaner means of transportation, allowing clients to enjoy our villa rentals in Barbados, without harming the environment on their way there.

I recently saw an image circulating on social media of New Delhi before and after the lockdown. Pollution has dropped so much that for the first time in a long time, one can see the real color of the sky instead of just smog. It got me thinking on what I can do to reduce strain on the environment, especially, with New York being as highly populated as New Delhi.One, although my company has always had accommodating work from home policy to encourage work/life balance, once the crisis passes, I will pursue having a larger remote workforce. That will reduce the number of people who need to commute to work. The past few weeks have made it clear that working from home does not reduce productivity. My employees are still highly productive, which means there will be no adverse effect on the business. Second, I will look at providing more options for attending conferences and events. That means finding out if my employees can attend the conferences and events virtually instead of traveling. They are not massive measures, but they are actionable steps I can take to help in mitigating the strain to the environment.

We've been evolving our remote setup constantly for the last four weeks through a feedback process we've put in place, and now we've informed our team that we'll likely go to a full remote set up, instead of return to our WeWork space. The benefits have been clear. It reduces time and pollution traveling, save money, and our employees are much more productive. We also plan to reduce air travel too as we've been having successful with remote partner meetings. To replace catered food, we're also giving our employees a grocery budget. Our employees are telling us that home cooking leads to less waste, and of course it reduces the footprint of bring food to the office. Overall, we think it will be a big win!

Many of our employees already work from home but we hope to increase that and havemore full-time people working from their own desk. One of the things we would also like to do is offer steep discounts on our services to local businesses.Many of our clients are in broad popular niches like investing but they are not local to us. We want to help stimulate the local economy anyway that we can.

I had always considered allowing remote positions at my company, and since my employees have tackled this change so well, I think that is a decision I am now willing to implement. As a company who supports social responsibility concerning the environment, allowing my employees to work from home can benefit the environment in a huge way, and supports everything we stand for. As a result, less waste will be produced, less pollution will be emitted, and less energy will be used.

-Ryan Anderson, Founder, Bead the Change

This pandemic has opened my eyes to considering buying our supplies from local sources, to support the local economy as well as the environment. It is obvious how much this pandemic has affected local businesses, and if I can support them while doing my part to lower my personal impact on the earth, all the better!

Our products are currently recyclable, but we plan to take it a step further and print the labels directly onto the bottle with biodegradable ink so that the finished product is more environmentally friendly. Currently we use a standard label with adhesive. Making this change will not only be better for the environment, but also be a better aesthetic design decision, so it's a win-win.

The fight to control the virus has many parallels with the struggle to prevent climate catastrophe. Businesses can already start gearing up for that fight, using the momentum already established in virus control. Remote work often saves many hours of useless meetings, focuses the remote meetings more effectively, and increases the productivity of those working from home. This goes well beyond simply allowing workers to continue working from home. Businesses that proactively look to make a profit AND a difference should be dong strategic planing right now for how to not only BE environmental leaders but be SEEN that way-thus building loyalty, goodwill, media coverage, and revenues/profits.

-Shel Horowitz, Green/Transformative Biz Profitability Expert, goingbeyondsustainability.com

Coronavirus pandemic's impact on environment infographic: sources

Carbon Emissions

Waste

Wildlife

Energy
You might also enjoy:
Learn how to share your own ideas about the environment and the pandemic by tuning into this Infographics Masterclass.

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Coronavirus's Impact on the Environment [Infographic] - Venngage

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Scientists first noticed a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in China, where the pandemic began. This trend followed the pandemic's spread across the world. Meanwhile, viral social media posts started to pop up about wildlife sightings in urban areas, claiming "nature just hit the reset button on us."

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How do animals get and spread the coronavirus?

-Are animal symptoms similar or different to human coronavirus symptoms?

-Which animals can get the coronavirus?

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Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19). World Health Organization. April 17, 2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

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Latest update 13 May 2021 - WHO is continuously monitoring and responding to this pandemic. This Q&A will be updated as more is known about COVID-19, how it spreads and how it is affecting people worldwide. For more information, regularly check the WHO coronavirus pages. https://www.who.int/covid-19

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. WHO first learned of this new virus on 31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of 'viral pneumonia' in Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are

Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:

Loss of taste or smell,

Nasal congestion,

Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)

Sore throat,

Headache,

Muscle or joint pain,

Different types of skin rash,

Nausea or vomiting,

Diarrhea,

Chills or dizziness.

Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:

Shortness of breath,

Loss of appetite,

Confusion,

Persistent pain or pressure in the chest,

High temperature (above 38 °C).

Other less common symptoms are:

Irritability,

Confusion,

Reduced consciousness (sometimes associated with seizures),

Anxiety,

Depression,

Sleep disorders,

More severe and rare neurological complications such as strokes, brain inflammation, delirium and nerve damage.

People of all ages who experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement should seek medical care immediately. If possible, call your health care provider, hotline or health facility first, so you can be directed to the right clinic.

Among those who develop symptoms, most (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment. About 15% become seriously ill and require oxygen and 5% become critically ill and need intensive care.

Complications leading to death may include respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis and septic shock, thromboembolism, and/or multiorgan failure, including injury of the heart, liver or kidneys.

In rare situations, children can develop a severe inflammatory syndrome a few weeks after infection.

People aged 60 years and over, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, obesity or cancer, are at higher risk of developing serious illness.

However, anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

Some people who have had COVID-19, whether they have needed hospitalization or not, continue to experience symptoms, including fatigue, respiratory and neurological symptoms.

WHO is working with our Global Technical Network for Clinical Management of COVID-19, researchers and patient groups around the world to design and carry out studies of patients beyond the initial acute course of illness to understand the proportion of patients who have long term effects, how long they persist, and why they occur. These studies will be used to develop further guidance for patient care.

Stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, especially when distancing cannot be maintained, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds and close contact, regularly cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue. Check local advice where you live and work. Do it all!

Read our public advice page for more information.

Anyone with symptoms should be tested, wherever possible. People who do not have symptoms but have had close contact with someone who is, or may be, infected may also consider testing - contact your local health guidelines and follow their guidance.

While a person is waiting for test results, they should remain isolated from others. Where testing capacity is limited, tests should first be done for those at higher risk of infection, such as health workers, and those at higher risk of severe illness such as older people, especially those living in seniors' residences or long-term care facilities.

In most situations, a molecular test is used to detect SARS-CoV-2 and confirm infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most commonly used molecular test. Samples are collected from the nose and/or throat with a swab. Molecular tests detect virus in the sample by amplifying viral genetic material to detectable levels. For this reason, a molecular test is used to confirm an active infection, usually within a few days of exposure and around the time that symptoms may begin.
Learn more about what kind of COVID-19 tests are available

Rapid antigen tests (sometimes known as a rapid diagnostic test - RDT) detect viral proteins (known as antigens). Samples are collected from the nose and/or throat with a swab. These tests are cheaper than PCR and will offer results more quickly, although they are generally less accurate. These tests perform best when there is more virus circulating in the community and when sampled from an individual during the time they are most infectious.

- Learn more about rapid diagnostic test

Antibody tests can tell us whether someone has had an infection in the past, even if they have not had symptoms. Also known as serological tests and usually done on a blood sample, these tests detect antibodies produced in response to an infection. In most people, antibodies start to develop after days to weeks and can indicate if a person has had past infection. Antibody tests cannot be used to diagnose COVID-19 in the early stages of infection or disease but can indicate whether or not someone has had the disease in the past.

Both isolation and quarantine are methods of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Quarantine is used for anyone who is a contact of someone infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, whether the infected person has symptoms or not. Quarantine means that you remain separated from others because you have been exposed to the virus and you may be infected and can take place in a designated facility or at home. For COVID-19, this means staying in the facility or at home for 14 days.

Isolation is used for people with COVID-19 symptoms or who have tested positive for the virus. Being in isolation means being separated from other people, ideally in a medically facility where you can receive clinical care. If isolation in a medical facility is not possible and you are not in a high risk group of developing severe disease, isolation can take place at home. If you have symptoms, you should remain in isolation for at least 10 days plus an additional 3 days without symptoms. If you are infected and do not develop symptoms, you should remain in isolation for 10 days from the time you test positive.

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you may become infected, even if you feel well.

After exposure to someone who has COVID-19, do the following:

Call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline to find out where and when to get a test.

Cooperate with contact-tracing procedures to stop the spread of the virus.

If testing is not available, stay home and away from others for 14 days.

While you are in quarantine, do not go to work, to school or to public places. Ask someone to bring you supplies.

Keep at least a 1-metre distance from others, even from your family members.

Wear a medical mask to protect others, including if/when you need to seek medical care.

Clean your hands frequently.

Stay in a separate room from other family members, and if not possible, wear a medical mask.

Keep the room well-ventilated.

If you share a room, place beds at least 1 metre apart.

Monitor yourself for any symptoms for 14 days.

Stay positive by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising at home.

If you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever, seek medical help if you have a fever. While travelling to and from the health facility and during medical care, wear a mask, keep at least a 1-metre distance from other people and avoid touching surfaces with your hands. This applies to adults and children. Read our malaria and COVID-19 Q&A for more information.

The time from exposure to COVID-19 to the moment when symptoms begin is, on average, 5-6 days and can range from 1-14 days. This is why people who have been exposed to the virus are advised to remain at home and stay away from others, for 14 days, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, especially where testing is not easily available.

Yes. The first mass vaccination programme started in early December 2020 and the number of vaccination doses administered is updated on a daily basis here. At least 13 different vaccines (across 4 platforms) have been administered. Campaigns have started in 206 economies.

The Pfizer/BioNtech Comirnaty vaccine was listed for WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) on 31 December 2020. The SII/Covishield and AstraZeneca/AZD1222 vaccines (developed by AstraZeneca/Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and SK Bio respectively) were given EUL on 16 February. The Janssen/Ad26.COV 2.S developed by Johnson & Johnson, was listed for EUL on 12 March 2021. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA 1273) was listed for EUL on 30 April 2021 and the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine was listed for EUL on 7 May 2021. The Sinopharm vaccine is produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

For further information, see here.

Once vaccines are demonstrated to be safe and efficacious, they must be approved by national regulators, manufactured to exacting standards, and distributed. WHO is working with partners around the world to help coordinate key steps in this process, including to facilitate equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for the billions of people who will need them. More information about COVID-19 vaccine development is available here.

If you have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline for instructions and find out when and where to get a test, stay at home for 14 days away from others and monitor your health.

If you have shortness of breath or pain or pressure in the chest, seek medical attention at a health facility immediately. Call your health care provider or hotline in advance for direction to the right health facility.

If you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever, seek medical care if you have a fever.

If local guidance recommends visiting a medical centre for testing, assessment or isolation, wear a medical mask while travelling to and from the facility and during medical care. Also keep at least a 1-metre distance from other people and avoid touching surfaces with your hands. This applies to adults and children.

Scientists around the world are working to find and develop treatments for COVID-19.

Optimal supportive care includes oxygen for severely ill patients and those who are at risk for severe disease and more advanced respiratory support such as ventilation for patients who are critically ill.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that can help reduce the length of time on a ventilator and save lives of patients with severe and critical illness. Read our dexamethasone Q&A for more information.

Results from the WHO's Solidarity Trial indicated that remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon regimens appear to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality or the in-hospital course of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients.

Hydroxychloroquine has not been shown to offer any benefit for treatment of COVID-19. Read our hydroxychloroquine Q&A for more information.

WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop treatments for COVID-19 and will continue to provide new information as it becomes available.

Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

In hospitals, physicians will sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections which can be a complication of COVID-19 in severely ill patients. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.

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Latest update 13 May 2021 - WHO is continuously monitoring and responding to this pandemic. This Q&A will be updated as more is known about COVID-19, how it spreads and how it is affecting people worldwide. For more information, regularly check the WHO coronavirus pages. https://www.who.int/covid-19

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Tiger at New York City's Bronx Zoo has coronavirus. Associated Press. April 8, 2020.  https://newsela.com/read/coronavirus-tiger/id/2001007788/?search_id=8c256097-251d-48a5-9ab0-592b499403f6

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Newsela | Tiger at New York City's Bronx Zoo has coronavirus

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Believed to be first known infection in an animal in U.S. or a tiger anywhere

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COVID-19 and Animals. Center for Disease Control. April, 2020.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Important update: Healthcare facilities

CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more

The risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people is low.

The virus can spread from people to animals during close contact.

More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.

People with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.

For Pet Owners, Veterinarians, & Public Health Officials

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect people.

Risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2 to people

Based on the available information to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.

At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people. More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by SARS-CoV-2.

Some coronaviruses that infect animals can be spread to people and then spread between people, but this is rare. This is what happened with SARS-CoV-2, which likely originated in bats.

Risk of people spreading SARS-CoV-2 to animals

People can spread SARS-CoV-2 to animals, especially during close contact.

Reports of animals infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been documented around the world. Most of these animals became infected after contact with people with COVID-19, including owners, caretakers, or others who were in close contact. We don't yet know all of the animals that can get infected. Animals reported infected include:

Companion animals, including pet cats, dogs, and ferrets.

Animals in zoos and sanctuaries, including several types of big cats, otters, non-human primates, a binturong, a coatimundi, a fishing cat, and hyenas.

Mink on mink farms.

Wild white-tailed deer in several U.S. states.

For information on how to protect pets and animals:

Mink and SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in farmed mink worldwide. Currently, there is no evidence that mink are playing a significant role in the spread of COVID-19 to people.

SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in mink on farms in multiple countries.

In the United States, respiratory disease and increases in mink deaths have been seen on most affected mink farms. However, some infected mink might also appear healthy. Infected workers likely introduced SARS-CoV-2 to mink on the farms, and the virus then began to spread among the mink. Once the virus is introduced on a farm, spread can occur between mink, as well as from mink to other animals on the farm (dogs, cats). One wild and one escaped mink found near affected farms in Utah were found to be infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Currently, there is no evidence that mink play a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to people. However, there is a possibility of mink spreading SARS-CoV-2 to people on mink farms. Mink-to-human spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Poland, and new data suggest it might have occurred in the United States.

Investigations found that mink from a Michigan farm and a small number of people were infected with SARS-CoV-2 that contained unique mink-related mutations (changes in the virus's genetic material). This suggests mink-to-human spread might have occurred.

Finding these mutations in mink on the Michigan farm is not unexpected because they have been seen before in mink from farms in the Netherlands and Denmark, and also in people linked to mink farms worldwide.

To confirm the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from mink to people, public health officials would need more information on the epidemiology and genetics of the virus in mink, mink farm workers, and the communities around mink farms.

These results highlight the importance of routinely studying the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 in susceptible animal populations like mink, as well as in people.

Research on animals and COVID-19

More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.

Many studies have been done to learn more about how this virus can affect different animals. These findings were based on a small number of animals, and do not show whether animals can spread infection to people.

Recent experimental research shows that many mammals, including cats, dogs, bank voles, ferrets, fruit bats, hamsters, mink, pigs, rabbits, racoon dogs, tree shrews, and white-tailed deer can be infected with the virus. Cats, ferrets, fruit bats, hamsters, racoon dogs, and white-tailed deer can also spread the infection to other animals of the same species in laboratory settings.

A number of studies have investigated non-human primates as models for human infection. Rhesus macaques, cynomolgus macaques, baboons, grivets, and common marmosets can become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and become sick in a laboratory setting. There is some evidence suggesting that laboratory mice, which could not be infected with original strains of SARS-CoV-2, can be infected with new virus variants.

Chickens and ducks do not seem to become infected or spread the infection based on results from studies.

What CDC is doing

Since the beginning of the pandemic, CDC has been leading efforts to improve our understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 affects animals and how the virus might spread between people and animals. CDC has also worked to improve coordination of federal, state, and other One Health partners.

CDC leads the One Health Federal Interagency COVID-19 Coordination (OH-FICC) Group, which brings together public health, animal health, and environmental health representatives from more than 20 federal agencies to collaborate and exchange information on the One Health aspects of COVID-19. For example, the group researches and develops guidance on the connection between people and pets, wildlife, zoo animals, and livestock; animal diagnostics and testing; and environmental health issues relevant to COVID-19.

CDC leads the State-Federal One Health Update Call to bring local, state, tribal, and territorial partners together with OH-FICC members.

CDC, USDA, state public health and animal health officials, and academic partners are working in some states to conduct active surveillance (proactive testing) of SARS-CoV-2 in pets, including cats, dogs, and other small mammals, that had contact with a person with COVID-19.

CDC deployed One Health teams to multiple states to support state and local departments of health and agriculture, federal partners, and others in conducting on-farm investigations into SARS-CoV-2 in people, mink, and other animals (domestic and wildlife). The teams collected samples from animals on the farms and from people working on the farms and in surrounding communities. These investigations are ongoing.

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Important update: Healthcare facilities CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more The risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people is low. The virus can spread from people to animals during close contact.

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Aguilera, J.  Your Pets Are Not Likely to Get or Transmit Coronavirus. Here's What the Experts Say. Time. April 28, 2020. https://time.com/5816383/pets-coronavirus/

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Your Pets Are Not Likely to Get or Transmit Coronavirus. Here's What Experts Say

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A tiger at the Bronx Zoo was recently diagnosed with COVID-19. But experts say it's a leap to worry if your household pet can get or transmit the virus.

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Ellis, S. Why new diseases keep appearing in China: Why Covid-19 was bound to happen. Vox. March 6, 2020. https://www.vox.com/videos/2020/3/6/21168006/coronavirus-covid19-china-pandemic

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On December 31, 2019, the Chinese government issued an alert to the World Health Organization about a new illness that was spreading through the city of Wuhan. Patients were coming down with a mysterious fever, dry cough, and pneumonia. Soon, some were dying. The source was a new virus, named SARS-CoV-2, and health officials were racing to find the source.

A leading hypothesis is that the virus emerged from animals at a popular market in Wuhan. This is not a surprise for many experts because it's happened before. In 2003, a virus very similar to SARS-CoV-2 emerged from a market in Foshan, China. It caused the SARS disease, which spread to dozens of countries and killed nearly 800 people. SARS-CoV-2 has developed into a much wider outbreak, reaching all across the globe and killing thousands.

The similarities between the two viruses raises the question: Why do new diseases keep emerging from China? This episode of Vox Atlas examines the deeper issue of China's wildlife trade and how it's putting global health at risk.

It's important to note that, as our expert Peter Li points out in the video, "The majority of the people in China do not eat wildlife animals. Those people who consume these wildlife animals are the rich and the powerful - a small minority."

This video explains how the people of China are themselves victims of the conditions that led to coronavirus. The virus is affecting many different countries and cultures, and there is never justification for xenophobia or racism.

You can find further reading on this on Vox:
The coronavirus exposes the history of racism and "cleanliness" Why pandemics activate xenophobia Why Asians in masks should not be the "face" of the coronavirus
You can find this video and all of Vox's videos on YouTube. Subscribe for the latest.
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Why new diseases keep appearing in China

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On December 31, 2019, the Chinese government issued an alert to the World Health Organization about a new illness that was spreading through the city of Wuhan. Patients were coming down with a mysterious fever, dry cough, and pneumonia. Soon, some were dying.

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How does the virus still spread if we are indoors?