Ebola Detected In The DRC and Uganda

 

Ebola has been detected in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. According to some sources 40 people have died since the new outbreak. The governments of both countries are working with a number of international aid organizations to contain the transmission. The challenge relates to security and maintaining a functional healthcare system. The DRC is fighting  the M23 rebels, which diverts resources for public health. The strain that has been detected is known as Bundibugyo virus. Doctors Without Borders is active in the DRC and has expressed difficulty with contact tracing. Uganda appears to be handling the outbreak better at the moment. The reason could relate to its internal stability. What makes the public, world leaders, and medical professionals nervous is the possibility of another pandemic. Memories of the COVID-19 pandemic remain in the public's mind. The difference now is that the emergency  response was faster. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been through 17 outbreaks. Despite that number, each time the DRC has defeated each Ebola outbreak. The DRC was able to contain epidemics from becoming an international health crisis. The 2026 reveals the need of African nations to cooperate across the continent for public health protection. Discovering the origin of new strains can also help with the development of effective vaccines and treatments.    

The Link Between Alcohol Consumption And Cancer

 

Alcohol has been linked to certain health concerns. While most  know about the damages it can do to the liver, a link to cancers has been reported. The Word Health Organization stated previously there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption. There has been an increase in breast and colon cancer. The new reports suggest that high consumption of alcohol is linked to six different types of cancer. This includes liver, stomach, and esophageal cancer. The disturbing trend  is people under 50 are having higher cancer rates. Drinking  is a part of culinary culture of certain societies. The youth could be harming their health by staring a pattern of overconsumption. The new information also proves the error of previously accepted positions. Medical professionals used to assert that moderate drinking was fine. The claim even held that some alcohol could protect the heart and circulatory system. Some thought alcohol would be a way to prevent cardiovascular disease. New information demonstrates that is false. Alcohol is now reaching the status  cigarettes and cigars. No amount of smoking is safe or healthy. The data continues to show the same for alcohol consumption. This means the effects of alcoholism are more severe than once thought. Oncologists might have to examine alcohol more extensively as a means treating various cancers. The information might not stop people's drinking habits, but it provides a warning of the risk. Nutrition facts and food labeling must be updated to reflect the new health information.  

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Withdrawn From Use

 

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has been withdrawn from use. The reason is that its vaccine can cause the side effect of blood clots. Some reports reveal that it can also cause low blood platelet counts. Blood platelets are also known as thrombocytes. These cell fragments do repairs to the body when injured to stop bleeding. After three years of saying side effects were minimal the evidence shows otherwise. Defective vaccines were put out into the market. Vaccinations should not cause other health issues. The lack of business regulation is to blame for the negligence of  pharmaceutical corporations. Class action lawsuits have been filed in the UK against AstraZeneca. The fact that people can get vaccine injured brings into question the policy of vaccine mandates. If employees get sick from a vaccine they are required to take, then that company is liable. The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was distributed to 150 countries. The exact number of people who were vaccine injured is not known. There is no indication that it cause long term permanent health damage. Although getting thrombosis or thrombocytopenia should not be deemed insignificant. The World Health Organization also confirmed in 2021 that there could be adverse side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine. This was not a condemnation, rather they claimed it was rare and not a serious concern. It becomes apparent that excuses were being made for egregious errors. Mainly it could be to protect Oxford University, which was a collaborator in developing the vaccine. Along with the Serum Institute, they made it possible for to exist. The side effects cannot be dismissed if the company is now ending production of the vaccine. The AstraZeneca highlights the need for more regulation of pharmaceutical corporations.   

The Effectiveness of Antidepressants Questioned

 

Medical history has instances in which theories have been discarded. The chemical imbalance theory might becoming to an end as an explanation for depression. This makes observers question the effectiveness of antidepressants. The connection between the brain's serotonin and mental health does not have substantial scientific evidence. Considerable debate has surrounded if antidepressants work at all. The first antidepressant drugs were not designed for mental health. Imipramine was an antihistamine and Iproniazid was for combating tuberculosis. Medical researchers discovered these two drugs could alter mood. During the 1950s, psychosurgery was used to treat various types of mental illness. The only reason electroconvulsive therapy and lobotomy fell out of use was because more medications became available. The assumption is that medication was more reliable compared to surgeries. Pharmaceutical corporations then began getting more involved in the production of antidepressants. Drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Cipramil generated enormous profits. It appeared that profits were more important compared to scientific fact. Antidepressants might be the best option for individual with extreme manic depression. Patients with mild cases might not see vast improvements or cure to mental distress. Antidepressants are being overprescribed by doctors. Being sad is a normal human emotion that does not require medical intervention. The influence of environment on mental health is a factor. Anxiety and stress can be induced by living in poverty, war zones, or unstable societies. Individuals could be using antidepressants as a means of numbing themselves from unpleasant aspects of life. The treatment of mental illness requires more than just  a combination of medicines. Not only could this be ineffective, the possibility of harming cognitive health exists.         

Dr. Anthony Fauci Discusses Masks (2020)

 

When the Covid-19 pandemic began Dr. Fauci asserted masks were not necessary. At the time there was not a vaccine available and masks were one option for protection. However , studies conducted in 2023 concluded masks offered a low level of protection. That does not mean they did not work. Social distancing and vaccination offered much more effective protection. When the interview was conducted in March of 2020  vaccines were not available. Dr. Anthony Fauci telling people not to wear a mask was negligent. The shortage of personal protective equipment was the government's biggest failure. The reason Fauci spread this misinformation is because healthcare workers were effected by the mask shortage. Instead ineffective public health policies were enacted. Lockdowns and zero Covid-19 policies did not stop the spread. Mask mandates did little to defeat the pandemic. If masks were not as effective as social distancing, quarantines, or basic hand washing mask mandates were not necessary. Anthony Fauci's misinformation  caused more confusion and harm during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The FDA Approves New Drug For The Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

 

The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. The disease causes the death of neurons in the brain, resulting in cognitive decline. Dementia is more common in the elderly and is becoming a major health concern . The Food and Drug Administration approved the a new drug lecanemab. The monoclonal antibody infusion is designed to stop the progression of those with mild cognitive decline. The development of this drugs is not much of a victory. Depending on when the disease is detected, the drug would not be effective. Late detection  would not help those who are  in the later stages of the disease. According to the data by both Biogen and Eisai it only slowed cognitive decline by 27 %. The drug also does have side effects. Some experienced bleeding in the brain and swelling. Hemorrhages and brain swelling could cause more health complications. The benefits of the medication are too limited to be useful. It appears that pharmaceutical corporations want to profit off Alzheimer's disease, rather than developing quality medication or finding a cure. Lecanemab is not the only medication for dementia developed by Biogen. Aduhelm was released in 2021. It got approval from the FDA without consulting the advisory committee. The lack of funds and research mean that more people could die from dementia. Pharmaceutical corporations have more influence over the development of treatments rather than  medical researchers. The motivation is about profit maximization, rather than biomedical research. More drugs will emerge in the coming years, but that does not mean an improvement for those with the disease. 

The Shangahi Lockdown

 

China continues to enforce its zero Covid-19  policy. Shanghai is back in lockdown with new infection rates. This does not seem like a rational public health policy. Considering that vaccines are now available and there is more knowledge about the virus the measure would be ineffective. Lockdowns are not effective at stopping the spread of Covid-19. Vaccines, social distancing, wearing masks, and quarantines are better options. Lockdowns only caused learning loss for children, decline in mental health, increases in domestic violence, and economic difficulties. The lockdown of Shanghai is precarious, because it is a threat to food security and income of its residents. Migrant workers are caught in a difficult situation and people could face evictions. Citizens are not allowed to freely go out in public. China is not the only country to have extreme lockdown policies. EU countries have done the same. At some point, this is not about public health or safety. The lockdowns are being used to either enforce some form of control of the population. Promoting public health should not come at the price of human rights or basic freedoms. Lockdowns should not even be an option now that there are various methods of fighting Covid-19. The virus will at a certain stage become more infectious and less lethal . Mass vaccination will not cause it to disappear, but make it manageable. The economic and social damage of lockdowns will last long than the actual pandemic. A zero Covid-19 policy is not possible or useful  biomedical science policy. The only result of lockdowns are protests and general discord from the population. Future public health policy should focus on prevent as much mental and physical harm to people. Shanghai is an example of a poor method of dealing with a pandemic related outbreak of disease.  

Research Suggests Humans Could Live Up To 150 Years

 

The journal Nature Communications made the suggestion that human life span can go up to 150 years. This was determined by the number of step counts and examination of blood cells. What was seen is that blood cells gradually lose the ability to return to a stable condition. There might be a pace of aging and as people age the ability to recover from certain diseases or other events become more complicated. Overtime the body loses biological resilience.  The study however, should be subject to the scientific method. The question remains why has no one reached 150 so far. There are other organisms that outlive humans. Bowhead whales and Greenland sharks can live over 200 years. The oldest person documented is Kane Tanaka. She is currently 119 years old. Jeanne Calment  was 122 when she died in 1997. This would suggest that 150 years would not be attainable by natural means . There is a limitation to human life span. If it were to go any further, some form of life extension technology would have to be utilized.  Those who do live long are of interest to health science and gerontology . Certain habits, environments, and genetics could all be factors in longevity. The study analyzed blood cell counts and number of steps by the samples compiled by age groups. It did not take into account factors such as diet  or if  exercise was part of their daily routine. What can be said with certainty is that cell physiology might have a link to aging and life span. 

Austria Imposes Lockdown On The Unvaccinated

 

Anti-lockdown protests in Austria that took place in early 2021 

Austria is imposing lockdown on the unvaccinated. This policy will  cause much civil unrest. Europe is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases. Anti-lockdown protests spread throughout Germany and Austria as the measure was causing more stress on the population. Forcing vaccination will not make people compliant. That results in more resistance. COVID-19 is not going to be defeated by mass vaccination. People who are vaccinated can also spread the virus. Countries with high vaccination rates are showing an increase in cases. COVID-19 has an ability to mutate into multiple variants. Austria wants to get infections down, but isolating the unvaccinated will do little to protect public health. The vaccines do protect against severe illness and death. The vaccines do not have the ability to wipe out the disease like smallpox. If more variants emerge, at some point booster shots could become ineffective. Greece also seeks to put the unvaccinated in lockdown. Segregating the unvaccinated is not going to end the pandemic. The pandemic could end when more of the world population attains herd immunity or the disease becomes endemic. Austria's public health policy should not be replicated. Lockdowns were not effective at dealing with pandemic. Domestic abuse, mental health decline, and economic deterioration were the results of a failed strategy . Austria intends to do this once more, but it will not produced the objective of controlling the disease.   

Vaccine Mandates Are Going Into Effect

 

The Biden administration has announced vaccine mandates are going into effect. Business with more than 100 employees will either require them to take a COVID-19 vaccine or get regularly tested. Federal workers are subject to the same rules. This policy may not produce the desired results. Another issue is related to an individual's choice related to their health. Part of the reason the population may be hesitant to get COVID-19 vaccines is that medical professionals had not done enough to educate the public. Doctors must talk with their patients about these new vaccines and which one would work best for them. The US government wants to see an end to the pandemic, but mass vaccination may not cause that. The multiple variants that have emerged prove that is not an ordinary virus. The mistake was to ignore the World Health Organization's recommendations on masks. Those who are vaccinated should still wear one, because there is a chance of still getting the virus. Public health measures should be taken seriously. The US has become more lax over social distancing over the past few months. Growing fears of the Mu and Delta explain why this policy has gone into effect. If a variant emerges that is vaccine resistant, then the only method would be either lockdown or quarantine. The global economy and population could not survive that. Vaccine mandates could cause more political and public health policy disagreements. 

The New CDC Guidelines

 

The Center for Disease Control has issued new guidelines related to masks and social distancing. Those who are vaccinated will not have to wear them in certain areas and restrictions are being reduced. Stores, restaurants , and other public accommodations are easing COVID-19 restrictions rules. This announcement comes with some skepticism. The entire population has not been vaccinated and the mask requirement would apply to those who have not done so. The only way to keep track is to have people show their CDC vaccination card to get access to certain places. Telling the vaccinated to stop wearing masks is premature, considering the pandemic is not over. India is experiencing a fourth wave. Unless travel restrictions and movement is controlled another wave could occur. The disease is highly infectious and has variants that have appeared in South Africa, Brazil, and India and UK . Keeping masks on when in crowds and being vaccinated is the best form of protection against the virus. There may actually be an ulterior motive to easing restrictions, when the pandemic is  still present. The desire to open up the economy and mobilize the workforce takes precedence over public health. Such a reckless and irresponsible action demonstrates the avarice of the business elite. There remains the concern about break through transmission of the virus. A person can be vaccinated and  still get COVID-19. This appears to be the case in Seychelles. One of the most vaccinated nations saw a rise in cases. Measures must remain in place until the pandemic is over.   

COVID-19 Has Taken 1.4 Million Lives

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed up to 1.4 million people globally. The United States, Italy, India, and China have been hit the hardest from the pandemic. African nations have seen lower infection and death rates compared to Europe.   Infections continue to rise around the world and it appears that the public health crisis is far from over. Countries such as Russia and the US are rushing to develop a vaccine. It is not definitely know  if it will be effective. Fears of a second wave also are on the minds of the public and world governments. Public health protection has been shown to be very weak in the face of a pandemic. Private insurance has failed to provide for American citizens. Governments with state funded healthcare have managed the pandemic better in comparison. Countries like Vietnam and Uganda have avoided the worst of the pandemic, even though they are not developed nations. Quarantines, lockdowns, social distancing , and wearing masks have been done to stop the spread of the virus. However, it has to brought an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have resisted these measures, which only makes the public health crisis last longer. Health science has not figured out the best method of defeating the virus. Misinformation and conspiracy theory has created an anti-mask and anti-lockdown movement. More deaths could occur, unless there is drastic action from the UN and WHO. World powers such as US, China, Russia, UK, Germany, and France must cooperate to confront the global health crisis. If this does not happen, the COVID-19 pandemic could last for years.  

The Coronavirus Pandemic, Anti-Chinese Racism, and Public Panic

The  World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak as a global pandemic. What is now known as COVID-19 appeared in Wuhan, China and gradually spread to other nations. Throughout history there have been outbreaks and pandemics. The plague and the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic are the most notable. Public health was in the past not up to the same standards as the modern period. Limited understanding about the infectious and viral diseases made matters worse. The reason that this current pandemic occurred is not due to a misunderstanding of biomedical science. The possible root of the outbreak is the trade in exotic animals. This is common in China and animals may be contained in unsanitary conditions. Bats or pangolins  have been suspected as carriers of coronavirus. The origins of the disease still remain a mystery.  While humanity has advanced in terms of medicine, it is still vulnerable to harmful microorganisms. Pandemics are more likely due to large amounts of international travel, larger populations,  or poor public health practices. The pandemic reveals much about the condition of  the world's population. There is a growing xenophobic and racist sentiment directed at Chinese people and the country itself. Bigotry has existed prior to the outbreak , yet it is being used to justify anti-Chinese racism. The world's healthcare systems are not able to address the challenges of pandemics. Certain nations cannot afford to produce high quality healthcare systems. The global south struggles with this due to underdevelopment. Wealth does not always guarantee a functional healthcare system. The United States still does not have a system of universal healthcare. Millions could either be uninsured or have low quality coverage. Preserving public health is not the objective, rather it is to ensure that insurance and pharmaceutical companies maintain high profits. The world needs a network of universal healthcare to prevent pandemics. Otherwise,  more people could parish. There are methods in which a person can protect themselves from infection. The problem is the public panics to an irrational degree. The media and governments are to blame with causing feels of trepidation. Basic information is necessary to prevent further mass infection. Transparency and not making unconfirmed proclamations about events can reduce mass panic. If not this could induce civil disturbance. The effects of COVID-19 are going to have long lasting effects on society, even when the pandemic is over. 

       The outbreak of COVID-19 had indications of a pandemic in its early stages. The majority of those infected were Chinese in Wuhan, which then appeared in other countries. Japan began seeing cases. For awhile, Africa and Latin America did not have cases of COVID-19 infection. Then Egypt and Nigeria became the first African nations to witness COVID-19. Iran and other Middle Eastern nations were grappling with the same disease. South Africa and then Brazil also discovered that the disease reached their territory. The declaration of pandemic should have been made much sooner by the World Health Organization. The rate of the spread was too fast for coronavirus not to be a pandemic. The reason that the ebola outbreak in 2014 was not declared a pandemic was that it was confined to Liberia with other cases in the DRC. The outbreak did not expend outside of Africa. Since February the number of confirmed cases has increased dramatically. There could be more people with the virus, but do not exhibit symptoms. Those who are at risk of death tend to be older and people with preexisting health conditions. Those with influenza related symptoms have been advised also to get tested for coronavirus.  

     A pandemic is by definition a global epidemic that effects large amounts of people across nations. By March 11, the amount of  confirmed coronavirus cases continued  to grow  on every continent ( excluding Antarctica). The world sees large amounts of people traveling for vacations, work, and leisure. Other forms of human migration are not by choice. There continues to be a refugee crisis with many people fleeing war and destabilization . African and Arab refugees fleeing from Libya, Chad, Mali, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, and Somalia are coming to Europe. Traveling this way means their health would suffer, which means the risk of infection could increase. Air planes and cruise ships also can enhance the likelihood getting COVID-19. The shipping of various goods may also be a concern.China has become a leading manufacturer. Goods and services could be interrupted due to coronavirus concerns. Exported products could have traces of the virus if not sanitized. The economic toll can already be seen with fluctuations in the stock market. Public health is more vulnerable not because of lack of technological means. Affordable health insurance and medicine is out of reach depending on which country you live. Smallpox was only eliminated through an international effort. To defeat current and future pandemics, healthcare systems must be raised to a higher standard globally. A serious challenge must be made against insurance and pharmaceutical corporations that make profits providing the least amount of coverage. The homeless and poor are extremely vulnerable to pandemics. The failure of governments to challenge such corporations, puts the world at risk. Disagreements and lack of cooperation among world leaders only makes containing COVID-19 more difficult. The rivalry between world powers makes efforts to confront common threats almost impossible. The lack of rapid response is partly to blame for the spread of the virus. Poor sanitation and the abuse of animals could also be culpable for the crisis. Exotic animals can be carriers of a number of microorganisms that could be harmful to human beings. The trade of various animals in Chinese markets in congested  areas lack the proper sanitation standards. Bird flu and SARS have similar origins. More laws regrading the trade in animals  and wider public health measures must be taken to  halt pandemic outbreaks. 

         The unfortunate result of the pandemic is revived anti-Chinese racism. Prejudice and racism against the Chinese existed before coronavirus. China was subject to being carved up into spheres of influence by France, Germany, the British Empire, US, Japan, and Italy. During the age of European imperialism China had little control of its economy and political structure. Chinese immigrants faced extreme hostility when coming to America, France, and Australia. The US imposed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 and the Immigration Restriction Act of 1924  in order to reduce the Chinese population. The Chinese have either been seen in terms as an immigrant threat or perpetual foreigner. One dimensional stereotypes such as the model minority were presented as a way to hide the fact that racist sentiment was still present in America. When the Chinese Communist Party took power in  1949, America viewed China as an enemy. There was a period diplomatic understanding  in which the Nixon administration opened relations. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of China as the second largest economy America saw China as an threat.  The Trump  administration has scapegoated China for the trade war that was started by the United States. This era has ignited a wave of xenophobia and racism that Chinese communities have been familiar with. Chinese or any other non-white groups have always had their loyalty to America questioned. Since the outbreak of coronavirus Chinese Americans have been subject to  acts of race prejudice and hate crimes. This is not an isolated case in just America. Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Netherlands have seen an increase in anti-Chinese sentiment. 

   

Chinatowns are witnessing a decrease in visitation. Chinese businesses are seeing fewer customers. There is an ignorant idea that some how every person of Chinese descent is a carrier of  the corona virus.The virus is not discriminatory; it can  infect anyone. The outbreak did not cause racism; it just exposed what already was there. The pandemic just always racists to mask their behavior under the excuse of fear. Xenophobia occurs in response to nations that fear shifting demographics, immigration, lack of knowledge, or times of severe economic strain. The rise of China as a world power and the decline of the West has produced new version of xenophobia based around ethnonationalism. Certain communities in this view do not belong in a country that seeks to be racially pure. This explains why Chinese communities are being blamed for the COVID-19 outbreak. Scapegoating is a tactic used to distract from the real issue. Simultaneously, the outbreak can be used to further an anti-immigrant agenda and demonize non-white people. Xenophobic nativist nationalism has made blatant racism more acceptable and the sudden rise in anti-Chinese sentiment should not come as a surprise. There is a long history of various groups being blamed from diseases and outbreaks. Jews were scapegoated for the black plague , which caused mass progroms. The recent wave of anti-Chinese racism induced by coronavirus fears may not subside anytime soon.
       The pubic must have information about the coronavirus. Media  and the government have the potential to induce mass panic. Paranoia can become commonplace in such an atmosphere. The mass media and cable news in particular want ratings. The constant discussion and obsessive suggested measures only make people more anxious. Governments have the problem of not being transparent. President Donald Trump and President Xi Jingping are not fully open about the extent of damage the pandemic has done. The image these leaders want to project is being in control of the situation, when it may actually get worse. A combination of mass media hysteria and lack of government transparency has caused the world population to behave in irrational ways. The rapid consumption of hand sanitizer and cleaning products has become more prevalent. Stores may find it difficult to maintain products as people gather supplies. Some even refuse to shake hands anymore for  fear of catching the virus. Being scared or avoiding people entirely is not going to solve the current crisis. It only increases suspicion among people. There are practical measures in place that are more effective. Quarantines, travel bans,  and avoiding large public gatherings can low the spread of COVID-19. Simple acts such as washing your hands and avoid touching the face can also be helpful.

  
Staying home and recovering if you are sick is one the most pivotal pieces of public health advice. Some responses may be an overreaction. The Trump administration hinted at an internal travel ban within the United States. Some public schools and universities have cancelled classes out of fear of the pandemic. Public transportation systems have seen a decline in riders, because of the virus. A person who just sneezes induces panic in people. Coughs and sneezes do not always mean that COVID-19 is the culprit. Even with measures in place, the virus still has the ability  to mutate. A vaccine has not been produced, which means there are very few tools to fight the virus. The current public health measures could be moderately successful. It should be realized that they are not impenetrable. Trepidation about possible illness should not stop one from functioning. Misinformation tends to propagate faster than truth especially in the age of social media. Conspiracy theory already add to the culture of paranoia and panic. The most prevalent conspiracy theory is that COVID-19 is some type of bioweapon. The accusation is that China or Russia made a bioweapon and unleashed it on the world. This is not true, however some believe this. There exists no evidence that biological warfare is being conducted. If  this was an attack from China why would it be unleashed in Wuhan? The reason for these conspiracies is to encourage hatred or blame on certain nations. Combined with the public's weak knowledge of science and biology many people are absorbing misinformation. Besides having correct information, there needs to be officials that can explain it to the public. Medical professionals and virologists must do what they can to help people decipher incorrect information.
        The COVID-19 pandemic will change the way society will function. Even when the pandemic ends certain measures may remain due to misplaced fear. Screening for disease may become an excuse to keep immigrants out of  certain countries. Healthcare systems may figure out how to make even more profits at the expense of the population. The United States at the moment allows for free virus testing. A person still has to pay if they need treatment. The insurance companies at some stage will use pandemics for profit. A vaccine has not yet been produced and when one comes it may be too expensive for the less economically stable. The relations between people have been altered. Self isolation is necessary during pandemics. This could become more common due to paranoia. The culture of fear that has been built up over decades could reach a dramatic point. People may be less likely to interact or help one another. All over the world people are retreating into their own communities and not interacting with the wider world. Global civilization could be going backward. The world must update its healthcare systems to meet international public health challenges. The more disturbing prospect is that the world may suffer mass population loss. The current pandemic has not damaged the large amount of the total human population. The potential for losing control becomes greater with people's lack of medical access. Other measures such as paid sick leave and a universal healthcare system can prevent such a possibility of crisis. A pandemic should not used as a means of expanding a national security state. Police and armed forces in certain countries are already imposing quarantines and travel bans by force. Italy has done this making it hard for citizens to move from place to place. Germany could follow this as well as France. Governments use a crisis to restrict personal freedoms and basic human rights. Pandemic practices and restrictions may remain palce simply as a way for governments to  gain more power with limited oversight. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it and it will be permanent. 
     

The Spread of Coronavirus

What started in China gradually is becoming a global outbreak of coronavirus. This virus has different types known as 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1. This is a new type of coronavirus.  The spread of the disease has become so dire that China has effectively done quarantines. Cases of infection have reached Australia, Europe, and the United States. The virus was first detected in Wuhan. France, Thailand, Japan, Nepal, Singapore, and Vietnam have also reported cases of  coronavirus. China may not be able to cope with such a large amount of sick people. Hospitals may get overcrowded and medical supplies drastically reduced. This sudden outbreak may reach the levels of the 2014 ebola virus outbreak. The fears of global pandemics are constant. Seeing as the virus can be carried through air borne  transmission China is rethinking its large public festivities. Africa and the Middle East have not seen cases of coronavirus so far. The only way to combat the spread of deadly diseases is to increase the level of healthcare around the world. If not the spread of an viral disease could be similar to the influenza pandemic of 1918. It is uncertain the total amount of  deaths caused by the outbreak. 

The World Health Organization Declares Ebola outbreak in the DRC an International Emergency

The World Health Organization has declared that ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached crisis levels. There were cases  of ebola in 2018, yet these matters were ignored. The DRC has struggled with armed rebellion and civil wars through its history, but now it faces a public health challenge. The ebola outbreaks in 2014 caused global concern and this new outbreak should not be considered any less of a threat. There comes a horrible realization with global pandemics. The developing nations are more at risk compared to developed countries. Healthcare  and proper medical facilities are a requirement to combat pandemics in the present and future. The WHO must develop a consistent plan of action to prevent major crisis. One goal for the UN should be to see the establishment of functional healthcare systems and contribute to the construction of more hospitals. The ebola virus could become as dangerous as AIDS when it was first identified. Unchecked public health will rapidly deteriorate. Many people may no seek healthcare simply because they do not have the financial means to do so. Other times there is a urban and rural divide between in terms of quality of care. Rural areas globally have limited options in terms of hospitals or medical clinics. The DRC alone does not have the resources to deal with an ebola outbreak combined with other social and political issues. It is important that the African Union become involved in the promotion of stable healthcare systems and the prevention of pandemics. As the DRC deals with this crisis it is also important that the public not panic. Doing so only creates more disorder or possible long term unrest.