Coronavirus, COVID-19: Common Pitfalls

Going back to history of outbreaks, World has faced about three global flu pandemics which have caused millions of deaths in 1918, 1957 and 1968. In these outbreaks, two of them are originated in Asia. The one in 1918, Spanish Flu, consider as the grandfather of all outbreaks. Now in 2020, the Corona virus, COVID-19 has been the dominating topic in all news and social media over a month.

One of the reasons for the spread of the virus is Urbanization. Today, around 55 percent of the world’s population is living in cities or urban areas with closer proximity to each other. When we notice, the virus spreads more rapidly in countries with strong central government such as China (Wuhan), Italy, Japan and South Korea. Urbanization makes easier and faster to travel, migrate from one place to another for humans as well as the viruses.

The next few reasons are excessive optimism and over confidence. As of today, the number of COVID-19 cases recorded is about 150,000 and deaths are about 6000 all over the world.  China and Italy have about 110,000 cases combined. However, when you compared to China, Italy has more number of cases in just few weeks. Statistically speaking, their fatality rate due to virus is over 7 percent, which is double the known global average. We can see the clear evidence of the excessive optimism and over confidence of both the people and the government. Even after the outbreak in Europe, schools were open; people following with their holiday travel plans, and going to their offices daily. My personal view regarding this is, bold political choices should be taken during these outbreak periods which can save many people’s lives.

The other reason is the cognitive bias, many people think that they are young enough to face it even if its affects them. Great, I love the confidence those people have. Even you might catch corona virus and might not even get symptoms of it.  However, for the random older person or may be your own grandparents, who got on the metro, train or bus after you got off, it’s really very bad for them. You will be absolutely fine even with the virus but not everyone else. You are walking around and you kill a couple of old people and children. Are you going to do that?

Take responsibility, restrict yourself. It’s really important not to spread the virus, when it has been announced pandemic by the World Health Organization. It’s everyone’s responsibility to take part in the global effort to reduce this threat to humanity.

Certain people who are taking lots of precautionary measures before it affects them. At the same time they are connecting with the people with technology. Hence we are able to see increase in time spent on our web portal, especially in dating and matchmaking apps. It has been confirmed by the analyst, that there is an increase in the users who are engaging in these apps. Further, a dating app registered their highest revenue in the last two month. These are all because of people having more time on their hands and they use it to socialize.

The next reason is, spreading of the rumors through media. One of the speculations that are very common in Social Medias: the virus was manufactured in America to damage China. (Really!!!!😲) Please stop using Coronavirus to play politics and scare people. Every country desires to protect their own people and also the rest of the world.

It is also our duty not to spread the diseases. Practice Social Distancing which will reduce the transmission rate of the virus. The real life versions of this practice (Social Distancing) had lowered the number of cases in many cities. If you planning to go for any business trips to other countries, ready to isolate yourself for at least 10 days. Postpone your plans, travels, meetings etc. 

As of today, more than 74000 people affected by the COVID-19 has been recovered and scientist all over the world working on treatments for the disease. We should be more concerned about this widespread disease. Don't panic! Stay safe!