Public Health in COVID-19
- Ani M
- Feb 27, 2022
- 4 min read
Sometimes the significance of public health is not understood. So let's take it in context of the current pandemic that we are peddling through: COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. A regular virus causes an infection by entering the healthy cells in your body. The virus then makes copies of itself, multiplying throughout the cells in your body.
The coronavirus has spiky proteins that it uses to latch onto healthy cells (especially ones in your lungs) through ACE2 receptors. ACE2 is an enzyme on the surface of many cells that creates small proteins.The SARS-CoV-2 virus binds with the ACE2 receptors basically allowing the virus to enter the cells in the body. Once the virus is inside, it takes over healthy cells becoming the force of control. COVID-19 moves along the respiratory tract, the airway that is around the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs. Lower airways have more ACE2 receptors, and since it's easier for the virus to get in through them, COVID-19 goes a bit deeper than regular viruses.
Which public health precautions were put in place to limit the spread?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is the perfect example of public health aiding at a time of need. COVID-19 was spreading fast and we needed to prevent it from continuing. Initially, strict mask guidelines and a quarantine was placed. The number of people in one room were limited. "Six feet apart" was soon a saying; we were hearing it everywhere. There was strong encouragement to constantly wash hands. With the introduction of vaccines to prevent the spread, the CDC, and other public health facilities and individuals, encouraged getting them. This aspect of public health is prevention. Now that the virus is somewhat better understood and that more people are vaccinated, the CDC guidelines have changed a little. As of February 6, 2022, here are the CDC public health guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19:
In terms of exposure to COVID-19:
- Those who are exposed but not vaccinated should quarantine for 5 days, wear a mask if you have to be around others, not travel, and get tested even if there are no symptoms. They should continue to wear a mask until day 10 and avoid traveling as much as possible.
- Those who are exposed but up-to-date with vaccinations do not need to quarantine. They should still get tested for the virus. They should continue to take proper precautions until day 10, like wearing a mask.
- Those who are exposed but have had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days do not need to quarantine or get tested. But they should continue to take precautions by wearing a mask.
In terms of contracting the virus itself:
- Those who test positive should quarantine for at least 5 days and wear a mask if they must be around others. If after 5 days, they are fever-free for a whole 24 hours (without medication), they can end their isolation. The CDC also advises to continue wearing a mask until day 10 to prevent any spread whatsoever and discourages traveling.
How has COVID-19 affected daily life and mental health?
In the US alone, around 901,000 people have died due to contracting COVID-19. The total number of cases are around 76.4 million and rising. But even these numbers are uncertain. Many hospitals shifted their focus to COVID-19 patients, leaving patients with other health problems behind. Because of all the cases, doctors were overloaded. And since vaccines weren't initially available, doctors were putting themselves at risk. People also had to adjust in order to stop the spread: regularly washing their hands, staying away from people, wearing masks). Most countries slowed down manufacturing, disrupting the flow of products and supply. A lot of people left their jobs and business began to struggle, along with increased unemployment. But even on top of all of this, are the social restrictions and issues that came along with it. Loss of social contact with others created a lot of anxiety and stress. There was also the fear of contracting the virus which generated more anxiety for those who especially couldn't afford to get infected.
Politics?
The figure below demonstrated the political divide in regards to COVID-19:
This leads to the question: should public health be a political issue?
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I will be documenting my journey of understanding music’s role in public health. I want this blog to be a place for me to explain my findings and connections. I think it’s amazing that I have the opportunity to explore my passions and even more awesome that I can find a way to combine them.
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Sources:
- https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/09/17/politics-is-wrecking-americas-pandemic-response/
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