Covid-19

What causes COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Where and when did COVID-19 originate?

COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, in 2019.

What are the theories about the origin of COVID-19?

It is theorized to have originated from a zoonotic outbreak at a market in Wuhan or potentially from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

When was COVID-19 declared a global pandemic?

The World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March 2020.

How many cases of COVID-19 have been recorded globally?

Over 700,000,000 cases have been recorded globally.

How many deaths have been caused by COVID-19?

Nearly 7 million people have died due to COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, exhaustion, cold symptoms, and loss of smell or taste.

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID includes ongoing symptoms like brain fog, insomnia, chronic fatigue, heart function issues, stomach problems, and muscle pains.

How did COVID-19 impact education?

School closures worldwide caused significant disruptions to education.

How did COVID-19 impact businesses and employment?

Many businesses closed, leading to widespread unemployment, especially in hospitality and retail sectors.

How did COVID-19 affect global travel?

Border closures and quarantines hit the travel and tourism industries hard.

What economic impacts did COVID-19 have?

The pandemic caused global recessions and increased extreme poverty rates.

Global Unemployment went from 5% - 15%

What social events were affected by COVID-19?

Large gatherings and events, including the 2020 Olympics and festivals, were banned or cancelled.

What inequalities were exacerbated by COVID-19?

Poorer communities faced higher death rates, worsening existing inequalities.

What were the initial management strategies for COVID-19?

Countries adopted lockdowns, border closures, and mandatory quarantines for travellers.

What was China's Zero-COVID Policy?

A strict policy aimed at eliminating COVID-19, resulting in protests and mental health challenges.

How did New Zealand manage its borders during COVID-19?

New Zealand closed its borders for two years.

What was the global vaccine rollout goal?

The World Health Organisation aimed to vaccinate 70% of the world's population by 2022.

Who were prioritized for vaccination?

The most vulnerable, including the elderly, healthcare workers, and people with illnesses, were prioritized.

What role did contact tracing play in COVID-19 management? Canada

Contact tracing, often through apps, was vital for tracking the spread of the virus.

What restrictions were enforced post-lockdown in some countries?

Some countries implemented nighttime curfews, hospitality rules, and event restrictions.

What was Germany's '2G' rule?

Germany allowed participation in certain activities only for people who were vaccinated ('geimpft') or recovered ('genesen').

How did media outlets help during the pandemic?

Media outlets spread information and educated people about COVID-19 but also contributed to misinformation.

USA 1 million deaths, 30% of Americans believed in false claims, with 50% of Americans being exposed, and 87% of misinformation being spread on social media.

What were the negative social impacts of COVID-19-related misinformation?

Terms like 'Wuhan Virus' or 'China Virus' increased xenophobia and racially fueled violence.

What economic support was provided during the pandemic?

Many governments offered financial support, covering more than half of people’s salaries and offering debt relief.

What role did masks play during COVID-19?

Many countries mandated or encouraged wearing masks in public spaces to reduce virus transmission.

How did testing help manage COVID-19?

Regular testing was encouraged to track and limit the spread of the virus.

How did COVID-19 affect mental health globally?

Strict lockdowns and isolation increased mental health challenges, including stress and anxiety.

What industries were hit hardest by COVID-19?

Hospitality, retail, and travel industries faced significant closures and losses.

What measures were taken for travel post-vaccine?

Vaccination evidence or proof of recent infection was required to ease travel restrictions.

What challenges did misinformation create during the pandemic?

'Fake news' about the virus, vaccines, and treatments misled people and undermined public health efforts.

What international economic measures were taken during COVID-19?

International debt relief included paying off loans and halting evictions for affected populations.

What exacerbated cases in the US ?

prioritization and protests about individual freedom led to uncoordinated responses and rejection of public health measures with many schools reopening early:
florida: 11,000 student infections by sept 2020
texas: 24,000 cases among students and staff b y oct 2020

How did misinformation affect covid-19?

Misinformation about how vaccines cause infertility and harmful substances reduced the vaccine rollout rate.
2021 survey
- 50% are concerned about the side effects
- 40% mistrust the government

some states had extremely low vaccination rates such as Mississippi, 47%, leading to variants like delta and omicron.