Who Is Hardest Hit by Covid19?
By Erin Rebello
With a lot of misinformation about COVID-19 floating around it can be easy to get caught in a whirlpool of confusion. Some people are caught in a frenzy of panic, while others believe it’s a hoax and do not care at all. However, when we take a step back and look at verified statistics and facts, we’re able to get a much clearer understanding of the situation.
One question that a lot of people are concerned about is whether or not they’ll catch the coronavirus and how it might impact them. Rough estimates from mid-March have shown that 30-70% of the population will likely have the coronavirus at some point. But before you start panicking and fearing for your life, it’s important to remember that most coronavirus cases are very mild. In fact, you might not even know that you have it because it can present with little to no symptoms. Although you’re probably breathing a sigh of relief, this gives the virus a sort of invisibility, making it harder to keep track of who’s infected and thus harder to protect vulnerable communities. In turn? We MUST be cautious, respectful and follow the rules set out by the head appointed health professionals in this country. You must consider, what may be good for you, will not be good for everyone else.
Who are the most vulnerable to COVID 19? Well there are two main groups: the sick, and the elderly. It isn’t really that simple, though; people that are immune compromised, have ashma or lung complications, for example, may be affected greater by the virus. There are new things we learn about this virus every day. If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ll probably know that the people who get really sick from COVID tend to be older. In fact, the Canadian government classifies older adults as a vulnerable population. Since COVID is a type of virus, a weakened immune system due to conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or a respiratory ailment mean that the body can’t fight off the virus as well as someone who is healthy. As a result, these two groups are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 and need to be monitored and kept safe. However, everyone from EVERY walk of life, even healthy people, can suffer from this virus. It is unpredictable.
Two other groups that are highly vulnerable are healthcare specialists and essential workers. With overflowing hospitals and a rising number of cases, it makes sense that healthcare workers are one of the highest-risk groups. Furthermore, considering inadequate preparations and supplies, many doctors and nurses are forced to treat coronavirus patients with improper PPE. As a result, physicians are being forced to risk their health every time they treat a coronavirus patient. Another group that is often forgotten are the essential workers, including cashiers, servers, food delivery, mail services, bus drivers and more. Although we often overlook these jobs, we probably wouldn’t be able to live without them. Essential workers must continue to work while everyone else stays home. As a result, they continue to work with their communities and are much more exposed to the virus than the general population.
If you’re someone who’s in none of these risk groups, you’re probably wondering what you can do to help. The best way you can help to stop the spread of the virus is by staying home and practicing social-distancing and personal hygiene. Don’t go out unless you absolutely must, and even then be wary of your actions. With a few simple steps and precautions, you can do your part in preventing vulnerable populations from getting sick. Stay home, save lives.
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