The most prominent current event going on is the Coronavirus disease pandemic, or COVID-19.  Although people find it redundant to talk about at this point since it continues to over-saturate the media causing mass hysteria and paranoia, it is important to recognize how significantly it continues to impact every individual’s life, no matter his or her geographical location, race, culture, religion, or political affiliation. The COVID-19 virus is an infectious disease in which a majority of those infected experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.  Those with compromised immune systems (i.e. older people, diabetics, cancer patients) are more likely to develop a far more serious case of the illness and will most likely require special treatment in order to recover from the virus (^1).  The effects of this virus continue to reach different sectors of society.  As a class, we continue to spent a majority of time throughout the semester discussing issues within society as well as their prevalence in people’s lives, so it is important to acknowledge the severity and impact that this pandemic has shown on recent discussion topics.

Urbanization and Population Growth

There are conspiracy theories circulating that claim this pandemic to be a result of governments trying to depopulate their countries and regain control; however, in times of crisis, it is important to look at facts and not get carried away by emotions.  We read and discussed the different types of living areas: urban areas, suburban areas, and rural areas.  Of course, urban areas are more densely populated and more congested, so those residing in cities are most likely to see a more rapid spread of the virus, which offers one explanation as to why New York is so badly infected.  A common misconception is that suburbs are safer that cities; however, it proves not to be the case.  If people refuse to remain at home, the virus will continue to spread at a fast rate.  The benefit of quarantining in a suburb is that it is not as congested, and people’s homes tend to be more spacious, as opposed to city apartments (^2).  When surveying rural areas, people typically believe that they are not as high risk.  It is important to remember, though, “Rural populations have less means to contract it, but rural populations have less means to treat it,” (^2).  Rural residents do not have certain commodities as readily available to them.  In the unfortunate event that someone in a rural area were to contract the virus, their surrounding medical centers may lack the means and necessities to treat them.

The Environment

As many of us discussed, climate change is a real, serious issue, but not everyone shares these beliefs.  People do not take it seriously, and the same is happening with this pandemic.  Government officials and health experts urge and advise civilians to stay home, self-quarantine, and social distance themselves from others.  People do the exact opposite because they think that others following guidelines is enough to contain and stop the spread.  Although they may not be infected or may be asymptomatic, they are putting others who are compromised at risk.  Those exposed to pollution in their environments are at higher risk, “Greater exposure to air pollution has been linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma, which can increase risks of serious illness or death from the virus,” (^3).  In this case, the environment is playing a direct role in worsening the virus for many.  Despite the mass media coverage, some people are taking the subject lightly.  This virus is highly infectious and can be spread through human touch, yet there are still individuals who believe themselves to be invincible.  Minority populations are seeing the worst of COVID-19, as environmental racism is the “disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color” (^4).  Being that more minority populations live in polluted areas, they are experiencing the brunt of the virus.  It is upsetting and disappointing to see government resources and essential workers exhausting all measures to keep us safe while some are worsening the conditions with reckless and selfish behavior by going out when it is not necessary, exposing themselves and others.  The connection between this and the environment is that human beings see the effects of the pandemic, yet many are hesitant and negligent enough to ignore the signs, as people do with harming the environment.  Media shows videos of how the planet is affected by pollution, waste, and toxins, but people choose to turn their cheek on these critical social issues.

Unfortunately, the issue will continue to worsen if individuals continue to not take precautions against the virus.  Life in quarantine is uneventful to say the least, but the more we comply, the quicker we can resume to our daily lives.

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Bibliography

(^2) Bliss, Laura, and Kriston Capps. “Are Suburbs Safer From Coronavirus? Probably Not.” CityLab, April 9, 2020.

(Image 1) “CDC Tests for COVID-19.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 9, 2020.

(^1) “Coronavirus.” World Health Organization. World Health Organization, 2020.

(Image 2 and ^4) Ettachfini, Leila. “Coronavirus Death Rates Are a Direct Result of Environmental Racism.” Vice, April 14, 2020.

(^3) Frazin, Rachel. “Experts See Worrisome Link between Coronavirus, Pollution.” TheHill. The Hill, April 13, 2020.