Mira Thompson

6.25.2022
Final Paper ABS394
Coronavirus Origins, Effects, and Implications
Since the beginning of the year 2020, our society has been forever changed by the virus
commonly known as Covid-19, Coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2. Virtually every person on our
planet has been affected in some way by this pandemic. It has caused a staggering death toll,
separation of families, various mental health issues, shifts in societal norms, and long-term
ailments for many of those who contract the virus; These are just a few general issues that the
Coronavirus has brought into our lives. Not to mention the numerous variants of the bacterial
strain that we have seen since the virus was first identified. In order to fully understand this
disease, we must study the origins – as well as the symptoms, transmission, and all other aspects.
From what we know about the disease, SARS-CoV-2 originated in 2019 in the city of
Wuhan in China. (Bozeman, 2022) Although scientists are not certain of what species the virus
originated from, it is suspected that bats were the original hosts. It is also suspected that there
was some sort of intermediary species that contracted the virus before it was transmitted to its
first human host. However, this species is not known as of yet. (Bozeman, 2022). Other
Coronaviruses have occurred in our species, such as MERS Coronaviruses. What they all have in
common, however, is that the virus targets and decimates the respiratory system. (UKRI, 2020).
In humans, the virus attacks our lower respiratory system. This means that within the first
weeks of contracting the virus, it makes its way to the lungs, infecting respiratory tissues all the
way. (Wadman et al, 2021). This obviously causes difficulties breathing and a sharp drop in
oxygen levels in the blood. Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases can become present at this
stage. The virus can then move on to target other areas of the body such as the heart, kidneys,
blood vessels, and brain. Eventually, at its last stages, the virus has damaged the respiratory
system so effectively that its host can no longer survive on a ventilator, or with any aid from a
physician. (Wadman et al, 2021).
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in humans is generally via bodily fluids, such as saliva
and mucus. It can also be air-borne or transmitted by frequently touched surfaces. (CDC, 2021)
Possibly one of the most harmful aspects of this virus is the fact that once infected, a host may
not exhibit symptoms until weeks later. “As the virus multiplies, an infected person may shed
copious amounts of it, especially during the first week or so. Symptoms may be absent at this
point.” (Wadman et al, 2021). Because the virus is so contagious, and symptoms may be absent,
this allows for exponential transmission and infection rates, which is evidenced by what we have
seen of the disease. Known precautions recommended by the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), such as wearing a mask covering the nose and mouth and social distancing
from others, can help in lowering the transmission rates.
Testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus is one of the most important steps in catching and
preventing the disease from spreading and further infection. Testing for the virus was developed
and made public soon after the disease was discovered. Tests are generally administered with a
cotton swab that is used to sample mucus from both nostrils. The test is then able to tell if your
fluids have the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 bacteria. (Fred Hutch, 2021). In PCR testing, where
the nasal swabs are sent to a lab, samples of the virus’s RNA are translated into DNA. Scientists
are then able to test this DNA for markers of the virus. (Fred Hutch, 2021). Less accurate, but
quicker, testing methods can be found by using a Rapid Test. This takes the same sample as a
PCR test, but tests for antigens, or viral proteins. While this type of test is much faster - often
yielding results in 10 minutes or less – false negatives and false positives are more likely to
occur. (Fred Hutch, 2021)
Besides testing for the virus, other prevention measures have been implemented by the
CDC in order to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. One of the most recent prevention measures
has been vaccinations for the Covid-19 virus, which first became available in early 2021.
(AJMC, 2021) Another measure the CDC recommends is wearing a properly fitting face mask
over your nose and mouth. They emphasize that this is especially important for those who are
immune-deficient, are caring for sick loved ones, or live in a place with high viral infection rates.
(CDC, 2022) Social distancing approximately six feet away from others, as well as washing
one’s hands frequently, are also stressed to be important prevention measures. Such measures
prevent the virus from even entering the body. In this way, we can lessen the spread and impact
of the virus.
Monitoring one’s daily health, taking extra precautions in crowded places, and keeping
surfaces clean and disinfected are other important prevention measures. While symptoms of the
virus may not be present during the first few days or weeks of infection, monitoring your health
can help to catch the symptoms quicker, thus being able to monitor the treat the virus quicker.
(CDC, 2022) Many people cannot strictly avoid crowded places. Life goes on; people need to be
able to travel, go to the grocery store, go to school, go to work, etc. Taking extra precautions
such as hand-sanitizing after touching frequently used surfaces, covering coughs and sneezes,
and avoiding close contact with others can help to prevent infection of yourself and others.
(CDC, 2022)
If a person is infected with Covid-19 and needs treatment, there are various options
available depending on the severity and patient specifications. One of the most common
treatments are antiviral treatments, which can be taken as a pill or intravenously. (ASPA, 2022)
This type of treatment prevents the rapid generation of the virus in the body, so you may not get
as sick. This is generally administered to people who have a positive Covid test and are
exhibiting symptoms. There are many different types of antiviral treatments, both in and out of
the hospitals. (ASPA, 2022).
Another treatment for SARS-CoV-2 for patients who are displaying symptoms is a
transfusion of blood using “Covid-19 convalescent plasma” (ASPA, 2022). This is blood from a
person who has successfully recovered from the virus. Their blood therefore has the antibodies
needed to fight the infection and eventually cure the virus. This treatment is generally used for
patients who have a weaker immune system and are hospitalized for the virus. Treatments called
“monoclonal antibody treatments” have recently been allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). These treatments use synthetically made molecules that can act as
antibodies in the blood stream and help fight and prevent viral infection. (FDA, 2022)
The current global pandemic has no doubt had a massive impact on our society. The CDC
recommended fully quarantine in the earlier months of the virus, especially for those who had
caught the virus. This meant that for months, people were separated from friends, family, loved
ones, and virtually their entire lives prior to Covid-19. “The novel Corona virus and the
containment measures posed a challenge to the interpersonal and community interactions that
with the social distancing measures and isolation, these social relations became severely
impacted.” (Singh & Singh, 2020). In some countries outside the United States, such as China,
quarantine restrictions were highly enforced and strictly followed. Being isolated from society
can take a heavy toll on the psyche; and can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health
problems. “Man is a social animal and social relations and the social interactions are integral to
human civilization…” (Singh & Singh, 2020) We are hardwired as human beings to need
socialization. Stripping this away has dire consequences for society as a whole, and there are
most likely consequences to this that we have not seen the full scale of yet. We are still in the
process of learning about the full scope of the social impact of Covid-19.
The economy also took a huge hit during the height of the pandemic. Innumerable stores,
factories, malls, etc. were closed or shut down completely due to quarantine restrictions. While
shipping companies and online shopping venues like Amazon thrived, stores that were pillars of
society pre-Covid had to close up shop. The stock market and economy as a whole took a major
downturn. Millions of people lost millions of dollars. (Singh & Singh, 2020) Some lost their
jobs, lost their livelihoods, became homeless, lost family members who financially supported
them. (Singh & Singh, 2020) These past few years, the economy has had to make a major
adjustment to our ‘new’ way of life.
My personal experience with Covid-19 is nothing unique; while I’ve never had the virus
myself, almost every person I know has had it. I feel that our country had an opportunity to get
ahead of the major spread of infection, but the government was too slow to take action. Millions
of people have died. I believe that at least some of those deaths could have been prevented if we
had taken quicker action. I do have my vaccine and booster shot(s). I live with my grandparents
who both suffer from health issues, and I felt it was my responsibility to protect them and myself
the best that I could. I took other precautions as well such as wearing a mask everywhere I went,
washing my hands frequently, and keeping my phone and other frequently touched surfaces
clean. I will most likely continue to do most of this.
I think our society is extremely polarized on this topic right now. People that I interact
with generally either think the whole virus is a myth, don’t care about the effects on our society,
or follow the recommended precautions. I personally try to do everything I can to stay virus-free
and healthy. I think it is important for us to remember this time, as this will not be the last time a
global pandemic strikes. Science is advancing fast in antiviral treatments, but we must be
prepared as a society to survive these viruses together and take early prevention measures. I
believe that the government needs to work with the people and the CDC, FDA, etc. to have a
clear plan for the necessary measures to take in these situations. I believe that everyone is doing
the best that they can, and most people think they are doing the right thing, myself included. But
we have to fight these things together as a human race.

References

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