Directions
Directions: Use these two links to learn about the science of the current COVID-19 respiratory illness and the virus that causes this infection. As you work through the information in each of these links, please answer the questions below. When you formulate your answers, place your answers in the space following the questions and return by the blackboard. Try to make your answers clear but concise. If you can, type in a different color so I can easily find your answers.
LINK 1: Watch the first minute or two of the following YouTube video and answer the questions that follow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKpVMivbTfg. It is a good overview of information for us to review.
LINK 2: Scroll slowly and read through the following infographic from the New York Times (you do not need a subscription) and answer the following questions. Important also read the embedded link HOW SOAP WORKS
Knowing a little bit about the structure of SARS-CoV-2, how does handwashing with soap destroy the virus? View the link near the end of the infographic, also added here to find out.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/health/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.html
Directions: Just type your answers after each of these questions. Try to make your answers clear but concise. Must be submitted via Blackboard by Sunday, June 28th, 2020.
- What does “C.O.V.I.D.” or “CoV” stand for?
Coronavirus disease
- What does the “19” indicate?
2019
- What does SARS stand for?
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
- And what does the “2” indicate”?
It denotes the second name of covid-19.
- What is the current average fatality rate as of March 9th?
3.5%
6.) How and why did the fatality rate in China change from January to February?
The fatality rate decreased from 16% to 0.8% because both hospitals and clinics had acquired better equipment, testing, and processes that aided in the management of the virus.
7.) How does the fatality rate of COVID-19 compare to that of the flu?
Covid-19 is 8-35 times more deadly than flu
9.) Explain how the fatality rate is different across different age groups with COVID-19 (1 point).
The fatality rate increases with increase in age
10.) Explain why you think that there is a difference in these different age groups.
The younger the person, the higher the immune defense their body has.
11.) List the symptoms of a mild case of COVID-19.
Most people do not show identifiable symptoms
12.) List the symptoms of a severe case of COVID-19.
Fever, cough, shortness of breath and pneumonia
13.) What does the acronym A.R.D.S. stand for?
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
14.) Describe how A.R.D.S. develops in people with severe cases of COVID-19.
When fluid accumulates around the lungs after a piece of severe information is preserved for long in the brain
15.) Define R0 as it pertains to a virus’s spread?
It pertains how quickly the virus spreads
16.) How does the R0 of COVID-19 compare with the R0 of the seasonal flu? What does that indicate about how easily both of these viruses spread when comparing them to each other?
The R of covid-19 is 2.2 as opposed to that of flu that is 1.3. Thus this means that covid-19 spreads faster than flu.
17.) Describe the preventive measures that are currently being used to prevent the spread of this virus.
Both schools and organizations have been closed in the fight against covid-19. Particularly this prevents unnecessary crowding that could catalyze the spread of covid-19.
18.) What do you think that these measures will do to the spread of COVID-19 compared to if these measures were not put into place (thoroughly explain your answer based on what you learned from this video)?
Since the disease is transmitted through an individual’s contact with infected surfaces alongside tiny saliva particles eliminated during the sneezing or coughing incidence, closing schools, and some business would enhance reduced overcrowding hence reducing the chances of infection (Osmosis 00:04:55). In contrast, without these measures, there would be an increased chance of contracting the infection through close interaction with the covid-19 victims.
19.) Describe what the ACE2 protein is and its role in how SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus) enters cells.
It the receptor needed for the entry of covid-19 into the cell. The role of ACE2 is to enhance the merging of the cell membranes for easy penetration of covid-19 into the cell.
20.) Some viruses use a molecule called R.N.A. instead of D.N.A. for its genetic information storage. Once the virus injects its viral R.N.A. into a cell in a person’s respiratory system, what does that viral R.N.A. cause the cell to do?
The infected cell detects the R.N.A. and starts forming proteins that weaken the immune system hence allowing the accumulation of several copies of the covid-19 (Corum para 4).
21.) How does this information cause the virus to spread in the infected person’s body?
Every infected cell releases millions of the virus before the cell eventually dies.
22.) How does the infected person’s immune response, as it is trying to rid the body of the virus? How the symptoms related to a COVID-19 infection?
The weaker the body’s immune response, the higher the chances of an individual displaying symptoms of a covid-19 attack.
23.) And how do these symptoms of a COVID-19 infection help to spread this disease?
Both coughing and sneezing dismiss viral loaded saliva droplets whose contact with other people can result in the spread of covid-19
24.) Now, knowing a little bit about the structure of SARS-CoV-2, how does handwashing with soap destroy the virus?
Soap destroys the covid-19’s membrane hence prying the virus apart
25.) Also, knowing a little bit about the structure of the virus, how could a future vaccine prevent infections once developed?
A future vaccine should be determined in breaking the membrane of the covid-19, for it could lead to the killing of the virus.
Works cited
Osmosis. COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19) March Update- causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology. Accessed on June 22, 2020. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKpVMivbTfg
Corum. J and Zimmer. C. How Coronavirus Hijacks Your Cells. Accessed on June 22, 2020. From https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/11/science/how-coronavirus-hijacks-your-cells.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Health