Word Meanings

exhale [eks-HEYL ] (v.) – to breathe air out of one’s lungs

Example: An example of a calming technique is breathing in deeply and exhaling slowly.

ventilate [VEN-tl-eyt ] (v.) – to allow fresh air to enter and move around a closed place such as a
room or a building, usually after it’s been used or contaminated
Example: They opened the windows to ventilate the café when the customers left.

variant [VAIR-ee-uhnt ] (n.) – a kind of virus, or a disease that’s a bit different from other forms,
especially because the virus causing it has changed physically
Example: The newest variant of the disease is a lot milder than the first.

antibody [AN-ti-bod-ee ] (n.) – a substance produced by the body to fight bacteria, viruses, etc.
Example: You can be protected from certain diseases if your body produced more
antibodies against them.

be on the lookout for / bi ɒn ðə ˈlʊkˌaʊt fɔr / [bee on thuh LOOK-out fawr ] (idiom) – to watch
out for or be alert to
Example: Be on the lookout for pickpockets, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar
area.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed after two

years?

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed after two years?

More countries are shifting toward a return to normal and learning to live with the
virus. Safe, effective vaccines have been developed and there’s better understanding of
how to treat people sickened by the virus.

Two years after the pandemic began, questions remain about the coronavirus. But
experts know a lot more about how to keep it under control.

The virus mainly spreads through the air when an infected person exhales, talks,
coughs or sneezes. It’s why health officials have encouraged the use of masks
and ventilating spaces, instead of focusing on advice to wipe down surfaces as they did
early on

Treatment has also evolved for people who get sick or need to be hospitalized. Among
the options are antivirals, such as the drug remdesivir, or newer pills from Pfizer and
Merck; anti-inflammatory drugs including steroids; and depending on what variant is
circulating, lab-made antibodies to attack the virus.

“The world has watched us learn in real-time how to treat COVID-19,” says Neil J.
Sehgal, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of
Maryland School of Public Health.

COVID-19 vaccines were also developed in record time. As of early March, 10 vaccines
have been cleared for emergency use by the World Health Organization.

Still, distribution of vaccines has been unequal despite an international effort to deliver
shots more fairly and misinformation has fueled hesitancy about the shots.

And there’s still much left to learn. Studies are underway to better understand long
COVID-19, which can persist for months after an initial infection. And scientists are on
the lookout for the next fast-spreading variant.

“Eventually every country will have to learn to live with COVID,” says Sehgal.

A. Comprehension Questions
1. How does the virus spread?
2. How does the virus spread?
3. According to Sehgal, what will every country eventually have to learn?

B. Discussion Questions
Discussion I
1. When the pandemic was just beginning, did you think that treatment will be
available within two years? What were you feeling while waiting for the
development of COVID-19 treatments (ex. hopeful, worried)? Why? Discuss.
2. According to the article, distribution of vaccines has been unequal despite an
international effort to deliver shots more fairly. How do you think vaccine
distribution can be more equal (ex. assign international bodies to control the flow of
supply)? Do you think countries that receive greater supplies of vaccines should be
held accountable? Why or why not? Discuss
Discussion II
1. What has changed two years after COVID-19 started in your country? In your
experience, did the pandemic have unexpectedly positive effects? Discuss.
2. Sehgal mentioned that eventually, every country will have to learn to live with
COVID-19. Do you agree with his statement? Why or why not? How do you think this
will be possible (ex. always require masks, redesign public facilities)? Discuss.