COVID- 19

By: Victoria Ruffo

Background Information
● “The Coronavirus Disease” is a newly identified disease that is caused by the
coronavirus
● Colds/other upper respiratory infections are mainly caused by coronaviruses
● The coronavirus disease outbreak is similar to the SARS outbreak in 2002/2003-
both caused by coronaviruses
Vocabulary
● ACE2= an enzyme that regulates blood pressure

● RNA=the genetic code of a virus

● Virion=the entire virus particle consisting of an outer protein shell called

a capsid and an inner core of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA)
The Makeup of the Virus
● Single virus particle
● Approximately 80 nanometers in diameters.
● Each virion is a sphere of protein protecting a ball of RNA, the virus’s genetic code.
● Covered by spiky protrusions which are enveloped in a layer of fat
How COVID-19 Works
1. The virus’s protein spikes attach to a protein on the surface of cells, called ACE2.
2. The virus prevents the ACE2 from functioning properly allowing the virus’ RNA to enter the
cell
3. The virus attacks the host cell’s protein-making machinery- recopys the virus
4. The cell becomes infected and then infects other healthy cells
5. Parts of the virus’s RNA also code for proteins that stay in the host cell.
a. prevents the host cell from sending out signals to the immune system that it’s under
attack
b. encourages the host cell to release the newly created virions.
c. helps the virus resist the host cell’s innate immunity.
Symptoms
● Symptoms can range from mild to extremely severe
● For most the symptoms are similar to the common cold
○ Headache
○ Fever
○ Dry cough
○ Fatigue
○ Stuffy nose
○ Loss of appetite
● More serious symptoms include:
○ Difficulty breathing
○ Constant pain or pressure in your chest
○ Bluish lips or face
○ Confusion
Origins of the Virus
Theory 1: The virus emerged in an animal market in Wuhan and was transmitted to humans

Part II: The virus came from bats and it was either transmitted from a bat to a human
or from a bat to another animal and then to a human

Theory 2: The virus was created in a lab by either the US or the Chinese (bioweapon)- very
little evidence to prove this suspicion

Theory 3: Chinese scientists/experts were working with bats in a laboratory and the virus
leaked.
Timeline of the Coronavirus
● According to South China Morning Post, the coronavirus may have been present
in November of 2019; however, it was not properly diagnosed at the time or noted

● COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019

● The first cases in North America were reported in mid January of 2020
Number of Cases
Place Cases Deaths
United States 1.97 million 112K
China 83,086 4,634
Italy 235K 33,899
Brazil 678K 36,078
World Wide 6.66 million 393K
Map of the United States
United States- Recovery Plan
● 3 different phases in order to ensure the virus doesn’t spike
● Different parts of the country are reopening at different time depending on the # of cases
● Each phase is expected to last a minimum of 14 days
● Phase 1:
○ Strict social distancing in public
○ Gathering should be no larger than 10 people
○ Nonessential travel is discouraged
● Phase 2:
○ Maximize social distancing where possible
○ limit gatherings to no more than 50 people
○ travel can resume
● Phase 3:
○ Return to normalcy
○ Identify and isolate any new/lingering cases
Prevention
● Avoid exposure to the virus
● Social distance
● Wash your hands
● Wear a mask
● Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
● clean/disinfect (hand sanitizer, wipes, disinfectant sprays)
● Monitor your health
● Educate yourself
Possible Solutions
● Several vaccines are in the making→ Moderna and Oxford University are two groups
who have been working to develop vaccines for the virus
● Vaccines have to pass 3 (sometimes 4) different phases before it is released to the
market→ can be a very long process
● In one of his most recent interviews, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said he expects to have "hundreds of
millions of doses" of vaccine ready to deploy by early 2021
● If in the unlikely event scientists cannot find a vaccine they will focus on other
treatments like the experimental antiviral drug remdesivir
● Experts claim that once 60%/70% of the population is immune the virus will stop
spreading→ finding a vaccine is crucial
Impact of the Coronavirus
● Took a toll on the economy→ slowly recovering
● Can’t return back to normalcy→ changes in the way we do everyday things
● Overall, more fearful→ afraid something similar may happen in the future
● Personally, my family is always going to have extra food and supplies in the house
in the event that we experience another outbreak
Works Cited
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