The corona virus outbreak has been labeled a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of cases outside China had increased 13-fold in two weeks. He said he was “deeply concerned” by “alarming levels of inaction”.
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.
What does it imply?
The use of the p-word by the WHO to describe the global spread of this new coronavirus is not a huge surprise. Up until now, it has talked merely of the “threat” or the “potential” for a pandemic. But with cases in more than 100 countries, and increasing numbers not linked to travel, the language has changed. The WHO no longer ‘declares’ a pandemic the way it used to, so this is as official as it gets. Yet this doesn’t mean the pandemic cannot be controlled, it explains. It’s a call to action and a plea for all countries not to give up, no matter how large the number of cases. Practically, countries are being told to continue to do what they have been advised to do. That means some may have to step up their response.
The word “pandemic” highlights the importance for countries around the world taking urgent action to respond to their own outbreaks.
Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi announces: Delhi schools, colleges, cinema halls shut till March 31. Delhi Govt invokes Epidemic act amid Coronavirus pandemic; which implies
- All cinema halls will be closed in Delhi till March 31
- All schools and colleges will be shut in Delhi till March 31
- All kinds of public gatherings canceled till March 31
While in Delhi schools and colleges have shut down its disappointing to know that even after the 2 cases being reported in Noida in Sector 135 and Mayur Vihar colleges like Amity are still running at a pace.
We need to realize the potential of threat Covid 19 possess globally and need to take measures to reduce the impact on an individual level. Stay tuned for the updates.
