COVID-19: Looming fears | Article

1. Wash your hands

2. Wearing a mask

3. Coughing in the corner of your elbow

4. Maintain a social distance of 1.5 m to 2 m

And many more..

These are just some of the precautions that we must take to prevent ourselves of the deadly COVID-19 Coronavirus that has since been in circulation from late November 2019.

Source : CNN

It has recently doomed on New Zealanders, that we must all be taking precautions in order to stop the spreading of this contagious virus. Jacinda Arden, Prime Minister of New Zealand has announced the prohibition of mass gatherings, encouragement of work from home models for businesses, and the most recent announcement - closure on international borders. Schools and universities have been advised that they will continue as per usual, but are to prepare for the possibility of online classes. Graduation ceremonies have been cancelled and/or postponed. Events such as festivals, markets and other gatherings have been ordered to cancel. This pandemic has caused worldwide disruption. With now 39 confirmed positive cases as of 20th March in New Zealand, there is definitely an uproar in the public, with many trying to source and obtain food and other necessities in the event of a nation-wide lockdown. There has been 16 new cases in the span of two days. Understandably, more and more people have begun "panic-buying" - clearing the aisles empty. Supermarkets have also begun implementing 'elderly hour' or 'elderly lanes' for them to freely buy what they want without a fear of this frantic behaviour from the public. Jobs have been cut, and there is looming fear of a potential recession. Many graduating students are also at jeopardy. Flights have been reduced drastically, and airlines are struggling to continue giving their staff work as there is not enough flights to accomodate.

There are almost 250k confirmed cases worldwide and over 10,000 deaths. This is a something that we have never predicted. It is one of the darkest times we have experienced, particularly for China, Italy and many other countries who have been deeply affected. Life may not ever be the same again. The stock market has plummeted tremendously, and many fear for their livelihood.

At this time, everyone is encouraged to take precautions in their daily lives - washing hands constantly, sanitising areas, coughing into your elbow, and maintaining a social distance with others in the public. This highly contagious virus that has inevitably caused widespread infection globally, and will not be stopping anytime soon. It has spread so fast and so quickly, that it has become uncontrollable. Italy is one of the hardest hitting places. The country has been in lockdown ever since, with families confined to their homes, and the frontline health care battling this disease with all their might.

This is time where we should unite, fighting it by keeping ourselves away from other and having a bit of decency and kindness. This is no longer just a "Chinese" virus, but one that the whole world is currently experiencing.

This is a battle against humanity. We are not the strongest, but neither are we the weakest. As many of us are holed up in our homes, quarantined and isolated, we hope that we will eventually be able to see daylight beyond the glass of our windows.

Sheuk-Yeeng Tan