San Mateo Communications Essay Discussion

September 17, 2022

Hello classmates,

Considering the current major global health concern, how do you believe the CDC (Center for Disease Control) is responding to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak specifically here in the United States? How do you think our government is handling this situation? Do you feel there is “too much information” or not enough communication, and why? To-date, there are more than 300 cases and 15 deaths in the U.S. and over 100,000 cases and 3,400 deaths globally.

Coronavirus outbreak: Mike Pence discusses U.S. response to COVID-19

CDC: Preventing spread within the community

I have also listed additional questions to keep the discussion going, keep in mind that this is a very dynamic and emerging situation.

Do you have any domestic or international travel planned in the next few months? If so, where to? And do you plan on cancelling your trip? How about concert/festival or major gatherings, do you plan on attending?

What precautions are you taking to keep your family and yourself safe, specifically the elderly and those with a compromised immune system?

Employers are complying with the recommendation of limiting travel, and allowing their employees to work from home. Do you have the option of working remotely? If so, have you been offered this option by your employer?

People are panicking and wiping out shelves of hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, protective masks etc. do you think this is limiting resources for healthcare professionals or those who are ill, in an effort to prevent infection to others?

Do you think local healthcare professionals and hospitals are properly equipped to handle an influx of covid-19 patients? How are these healthcare professionals keeping themselves safe?

Are you concerned with 3500 people offloading the Grand Princess Cruise ship in the Bay Area, knowing at least 21 have tested positive?

Background:

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as MERS and SARS. A novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not yet been identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. There is currently no vaccine. You can reduce the risk of infection if you clean your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cover your sneeze/cough with a tissue or into your elbow and avoid contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

Credible websites regarding Covid-19 with up-to-date information:

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