COVID-19 Coronavirus Now A Pandemic In The World

Coronavirus (COVID-19) as it looks under the microscope

Photo courtesy: cdc.gov/

Map showing countries affected by
COVID - 19 virus (as of March 11, 2020)

Map courtesy: cdc.gov/

The World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations, on March 11, 2020, declared Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak a 'pandemic' (an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population). It spread to 114 countries on five continents, except Antarctica, so far. There have been 118,000 Covid-19 cases with more than 4,200 deaths.  

The WHO says Covid-19 is "a pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, China, was first reported to the WHO Country Office in China on December 31, 2019. On 30 January 2020, the outbreak of this disease was declared 'a Public Health Emergency of International concern on 30 January 2020."

On February 11, 2020, the WHO named the coronavirus disease "COVID-19." 

The WHO also said, "Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death."

There are different types of coronaviruses. The WHO says, "We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled, at the same time."

For details, please read the following:

• Coronavirus symptoms: What are they and how do I protect myself (March 11, 2020)
• Coronavirus: Eleven of your most popular questions answered (March 12, 2020)
• Coronavirus: what happens to people's lungs when they get Covid-19? (March 12, 2020)
• COVID-19: How long can coronavirus survive on surfaces? (March 13, 2020)
• Covid-19 is not the flu. It's worse (March 13, 2020)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public (Advice from the WHO)
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Global Map
• Coronavirus: A visual guide to the outbreak (March 11, 2020)
• Map, chart: Updates on Coronavirus cases and deaths around world (March 11, 2020)
• Mapping the Spread of the Coronavirus Outbreak Around the U.S. and the World (March 11, 2020)
• COVID-19 Maps & visuals (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, USA)
• Here are some of the best maps tracking Coronavirus updates (March 13, 2020)
• Coronavirus: Before, after images show impact of COVID-19 on the world's top tourist spots (March 9, 2020)

(Updated on March 13, 2020)

The Poem of the Month (August, 2011): NATURAL DISASTERS

A doodle on the 1992 cyclone in Bangladesh

Doodle (Dhaka: November 21, 1992) © Jerome D'Costa

Natural Disasters

By Jerome D'Costa

Natural disasters come, natural disasters go

Unexpectedly, beyond any human reach.

To some, disasters come from God

As trials or punishments,

To others, they are part of

The Nature’s cycle of vagaries.

For the last few decades,

Natural disasters are occurring

At a frequent rate,

With ominous ferocity and calamity.

Some say, mankind with its greed and self-centeredness,

Mistreating the Nature and its environment

In a naked and unabashed manner.

As citizens of this world

We need to lead our lives most responsibly

So that our man-made global warming

Might not trigger the Nature’s frequent furies.

Japan Reels from the Devastating Earthquake and Tsunami

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Map courtesy: www.greewichmeantime.com/

The unprecedented earthquake of 9.0 magnitude, followed by deadlier tsunami (high tidal wave), devastated the northeast coastal areas of Japan on Friday, March 11. The prefactures (governor-run districts) of Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima were hit most severely. The death toll so far is more than 3,500, which ultimately may exceed 10,000, reports the Reuters.

Although many houses and buildings initially withstood the impact of the earthquake, the resultant tsunami later washed away and levelled the whole area that looked like the 1945-atom bomb devastated Hiroshima.

Japan, although a developed nation, is prone to natural disasters like Bangladesh.

The Giver Is Now a Receiver

Japan, which is one of the largest givers (donors) in case of natural disasters in other countries of the world, has now turned into a receiver itself. Emergency aid teams and rescuers from various developed countries rushed in to help out in this emergency. The USA is especially keen in providing assistance regarding the damaged nuclear reactors that are posing a great danger and safety risk to life and health of millions.

Videos of the Japan Disaster

The videos on the recent disaster in Japan is a graphic testament to the devastation caused by both the earthquake and the tsunami. These images touch every heart and make everyone pause for a while to contemplate on the frailty of man and material facing natural disasters.

What Haiti Earthquake Victims Need

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Map courtesy: http://atlas.mapquest.com/

Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti is in total devastation. This is considered to be the worst earthquake disaster in a century. The saddest thing is that the government of Haiti was totally incapacitated, there were almost no government personnel to help in the rescue efforts in the first day or two. The world watched in horror how the common people were trying their best with their most limited and amateurish equipment and implements to rescue fellow Haitians from the rubble. Thousands of dead bodies are still lying on the sidewalks.

Fortunately, the world governments, voluntary agencies, institutions and individuals responded immediately to the catastrophe. Although quite late, their efforts will definitely save many precious lives.

Immediately after any disaster, the first 72 hours (three days and three nights) are very crucial in rescuing and saving lives.

Immediate Response and Relief

As workers of Caritas Bangladesh and later World Vision of Bangladesh, we had to deal with several deadly flood and cyclone disasters in Bangladesh in the 70's, 80's and 90's. From those experiences we can say that the following emergency response and relief materials are needed in the first 72 hours:

• Consideration of local environment, weather condition, local customs, and people's food habits (Christians can eat almost everything, Hindus can't eat beef, Muslims can't eat pork, etc.) is very important for relief effort.
• Employ rescuers and rescue machineries and vehicles. Bury the dead immediately.
  
• Initially distribute dry foods (bread, immediately edible (munchable) cereals, dry fruits, snack bars, chocolate bars, edible nuts and seeds, chips, flattened rice, puffed rice or rice crispies and so on. Due to disaster, cooking facilities may not be immediately available.
• If some people still possess cooking facilities, bulgur wheat, oatmeals, rice, lentils and beans can be given to them.
  
• Provide bottled water or water purification tablets. Much of the water available in the disaster area gets polluted.
• Provide enough medical personnel and medicines. Rush the seriously wounded to nearby hospitals or clinics and, if these are not available, arrange field clinics.
• Arrange to provide cooked food through gruel kitchens.
• Give cash to victims so that they may purchase food from the locality, if available.
• Tents are very important to save the exposed victims from the sun or rain.
• Battery-run torchlights and battery-operated radios are urgently needed.
• For sleeping or just sitting and resting, mats, cheap carpets, inexpensive blankets and sleeping bags are important.
• Clothing for men, women and children.
  
• Baby food, powder milk, and energy drinks like 'Ovaltine' are important for children.
• If possible, give sandals, cheap shoes and boots.
• If possible, provide hurricane lanterns and kerosene oil, candles and match sticks.
• Small pots and pans also can be given to those who have access to cooking facilities.
• Building temporary public toilets is very crucial in stopping diseases to spread.

Some Useless Relief Items

When a disaster strikes and the news is everywhere, people get very much carried away and feel to be very generous. They want to give anything they think would be useful without consideration of the location, culture and habits of the disaster victims. There are items that should not be sent as relief items:

• Chewing gums.
• Warm clothes and heavy blankets in a tropical or warmer country.
• Toothpastes and tooth brushes.
• Typical women's clothes of western countries, such as undergarments, brassieres, hats and caps, etc. A country, where women do not wear western dresses, will find these items not only useless, but also embarrassing.
• Expired or soon-to-expire goods, food items and medicines. What you cannot or should not use for yourself must not be given to others.
  

Rehabilitation and Development Work (Long Term)

Rehabilitation and development work take longer time to accomplish. These should be well-planned and coordinated, otherwise there is likelihood of duplication of work. Under this category the following can be done:

• Building infrastructures: Houses, institutions, government offices and roads need to be repaired and rebuilt.
• In a tropical country, one-storey houses can be made of corrugated iron-sheet roofs and walls. Pillars of the house can be made of concrete. Houses with more than one storey should be made with concrete and bricks strictly following local conditions and building codes.
  
• Medium and deep drinking water tubewells need to be repaired or installed.
• Educational materials (school exercise books, pencils, pens, papers, school books, school bags, etc.) are to be given to affected students.
• Crop and vegetable seeds for farmers.
• Fertilizers, irrigation system and the relevant agricultural facilities need to be restored.
• Assistance in income generation is important. Under Test Relief work, men and women can be employed on daily wage basis to do repair or rebuilding work -- houses, roads and other infrastructure.
• No asbestos sheets should be used in building purposes. It is now proven that asbestos is dangerous to human health.
  

It's An Opportunity to Build Port-au-Prince Anew

In the news it was told that this city has accessibility problem. It has only a few main roads with many unplanned narrow roads. Roads get clogged all the time.

Since most of the houses are devastated or precariously standing, a well-thought-out plan needs to be taken to demolish the standing houses and rebuild Port-au-Prince with more and wider roads. The UN can give a leadership and coordination in this respect.

Severe Earthquake Devastates Haiti

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A powerful earthquake, measuring 7.0 in the Richter scale, struck an area 16 kilometers (10 miles) away from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, on January 12, 2010, causing destruction of thousands of buildings and infrastructures and innumerable deaths. The government of Haiti at this moment estimated the death toll to be around 100,000. The number of deaths is expected to rise to several hundred thousands in future.

The earthquake was just 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) below the earth's surface. This shallowness of the earthquake shook the ground more dangerously causing widespread devastation in the capital city, where most of the building were constructed without following strict building codes necessary for an earthquake-prone zone.

Haitian President Rene Preval told the CNN, " You have to see it to believe it. Lots of houses destroyed, hospitals, schools, personal homes -- a lot of people in the street dead." The President said that he himself has been affected by the earthquake. "I cannot live in the palace; I cnnot live in my own house [palace]. The two collapsed. But now I am working on how to rescue the people."

President Preval appealed to the international community to be generous: "We need doctors, we need medicine, we need medical help in general, " he told the CNN. The President mentioned that in the meantime, Argentina, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Israel, Venezuela, and the United States started to provide help for the earthquake victims.

Canadian Presence in Haiti

Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised a generous help for Haiti. The CTV reports that the Canadian government has a large presence in Haiti. Canadians are also attached to the United Nations Stabilization Mission there. A good number of Canadian Mounted Police and members of the Department of National Defense also work in that country.

Michaelle Jean, the Governor General of Canada is originally from Haiti. She came to Canada when she was a child. In a statement she said: "This natural disaster has hit a country with an extremely fragile infrastructure, where many buildings are already unstable, and where living conditions are often very difficult. I fear for its people. I would like all Haitians to know that they are not alone and that the people of Canada will respond to this emergency."

Background of Haiti

Haiti is a rugged and mountainous country of 27,750 kilometres and a population (80% Roman Catholic and 16% Protestant) of over eight million. Presently it is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

When Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Hispaniola (presently the same island divided into the two countries -- Dominican Republic and Haiti), Arawak Amerindians populated there. The Spanish administration almost decimated the Arawak people within 25 years. In 1697, due to French presence and pressure in the island, the Spanish gave the third part of the island to the French which later took the name of Haiti.

Since the Arawaks were almost extinct, the French brought African slaves to work in the forestry and sugar industries. Later the slaves under Toussaint L'Ouverture revolted against the French and in 1804 declared Haiti's independence. Haiti was the first black republic.

Flirting with the Past: Bangladesh Cyclone of May, 1985

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Map adapted from: http://www.pixup.com/lop/regions/baise_e.htm

This girl in Urir Char was grief-stricken
at the loss of her father in the cyclone
All photos (May 28, 1985) taken by Jerome D'Costa

Twelve-year old Jahanara lost her mother,
brother and sister in the tidal wave in Urir Char

Her eyes tell stories of pain brought about
by the cyclone in Sandwip Island

That's all left of a house after the 5-metre (16-feet)
high tidal waves swept over the Urir Char

No trace of the house that was once standing
at this place in Urir Char

Tha's all left of a house and belongings of this boy's family
in Urir Char

In Urir Char, these two small cyclone shelters
were the only standing structures. All other thatched houses
were washed away by the tidal bore

This cyclone, with tidal waves rising from three to five metres (about 10 to 16 feet) in the Bay of Bengal started in the midnight of May 24, 1985 and continued for about four hours. Today is the 24th anniversary of that dreadful cyclone that had 160 miles per hour wind and that killed more than 11,000 people in the offshore islands. The affected were Hatia, Urir Char and north-western part of Sandwip. One of the worst affected was Urir Char (char in Bangla means a piece of land that rises in a river or coastal area due to heavy silting) with about 20 square kilometres (about 12 sq. miles) area.

Simon Munshi, Ferdaus Daud Haider, Hubert Dores and I, on behalf of World Vision of Bangladesh -- an international NGO -- went to Urir Char on May 28, 1985 via Sandwip Island to asses the damage for relief and rehabilitation work. When we reached this island, it was under knee-deep water. Not a single house was standing except two small cyclone shelters in one corner of the island. Very few people took shelter in the cyclone shelters. They did not leave their houses for fear of losing their household items, food grains and domestic animals to thieves. Out of about 2,800 families in the island, only forty surviving persons were present in the island -- others were either drowned or washed away to the Bay of Bengal.

I had never witnessed such a destruction of human life, animals and property in my life.