COVID-19

The COVID-19 Pandemic is one of the largest problems facing governments around the world. But one would ask, where did this pandemic begin? How did it spread? Where did it spread first? We will explore these questions as we continue the article.

Animal Origins

As studies show, Many diseases originate and transmit from different animals. Ebola was transmitted from mosquitoes, HIV came from chimpanzees, Swine Flu originated in pigs. Studies are still being led as to the exact animal that COVID-19 originated from. A likely contestant are bats, who have often transmitted diseases like COVID-19.

Wet Markets

There is a high likelihood that the original animal was brought into a wet market in Wuhan, China. These wet markets are notorious for disease spreading. Animals share a cage with other animals. These cages are stacked one on top of the other, so whatever an animal above drops, eventually leaks down into the lower cages. These animals are then sold to be eaten, spreading the disease from animals to humans.

Wet Market Origins

If we want to find the cause of wet markets, we have to look decades before, in the 1970's. During this time, there was a great famine, and the communist government didn't have the means to feed their population. They had the choice of opening up the market for individuals to create their own farming businesses, or they could use what resources they had left to try to save the public agriculture. When they opened up the market for private owners, China quickly was pulled out of the famine and progressed dramatically.

Noticing this progression, the Chinese government decided to help increase the economy using the same strategy, only this time they allowed civilians to feed themselves on wildlife animals, not just domesticated animals. When this new law was passed, small, backyard operations were the first things that followed. Over time, these small businesses progressed into industrial sized operations. People began to sell together, creating large, wet markets.

A Growing Problem

On December 31, New Years Eve, Wuhan health officials confirm 27 cases of the new virus and shut down the wet market it originated from. Two weeks later, the first case is reported Thailand. a couple days later, the first cases reaches the United States. The situation worsens and soon Wuhan and three other cities are put on lock down. Just the next day, the lockdown is extended to cover 36 million people.

Hope for the future

As we continue in this pandemic, we have to thank the scientists and doctors working to protect us. A vaccine is in the making, and people are bonding together in this hard time. Have fun with your day, and stay safe!