What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. First identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019, it rapidly spread worldwide, leading to a global pandemic.

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

  • Respiratory Droplets: When infected people cough, sneeze, or talk, tiny droplets containing the virus are released.
  • Surface Contact: Touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching your face.
  • Aerosols: Smaller particles that can linger in the air, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.

COVID-19 Transmission

Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches

Some people may be asymptomatic (show no symptoms).

How Does the Virus Affect the Body?

  1. Entry: The virus enters through the nose or mouth, attaching to cells in the respiratory tract using spike proteins.
  2. Replication: It hijacks the cell’s machinery to make more viruses.
  3. Immune Response: The body’s immune system reacts, which can lead to inflammation and, in severe cases, organ damage.

SARS-CoV-2 Structure

Diagnosis

  • PCR Test: Detects viral genetic material.
  • Rapid Antigen Test: Identifies viral proteins.
  • Antibody Test: Shows if someone had the infection before.

Prevention

  • Vaccination: mRNA vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) and viral vector vaccines (AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson).
  • Masks: Reduce spread of droplets.
  • Hand Hygiene: Frequent washing with soap or sanitizer.
  • Social Distancing: Keeping space between people.

Treatment

  • Mild Cases: Rest, fluids, and fever reducers.
  • Severe Cases: Hospitalization, oxygen therapy, antiviral drugs (Remdesivir), monoclonal antibodies.

Surprising Facts

  1. COVID-19 Can Affect the Brain: Some patients experience confusion, headaches, or “brain fog” due to inflammation or blood clots.
  2. Animals Can Get COVID-19: Pets like cats, dogs, and even zoo animals (lions, tigers) have tested positive.
  3. Long COVID: Some people have symptoms lasting for months, including fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

Global Impact

  • Health Systems: Hospitals overwhelmed, especially during surges.
  • Economy: Job losses, business closures, and changes in work (remote work increased).
  • Education: Schools closed or moved online, affecting learning and social development.
  • Environment: Lockdowns reduced air pollution but increased plastic waste (masks, gloves).

Plastic Pollution & COVID-19

Plastic pollution has been found in the deepest parts of the ocean. During the pandemic, use of single-use plastics (masks, gloves, test kits) increased sharply. This added to pollution, with microplastics now detected in remote places like the Mariana Trench.

  • Reference: Peng, Y., et al. (2021). “Plastic waste release caused by COVID-19 and its fate in the global ocean.” PNAS, 118(47), e2119143118. Link

Technology Connection

  • Contact Tracing Apps: Use Bluetooth to track exposure.
  • AI in Diagnostics: Machine learning helps analyze X-rays and predict outbreaks.
  • Telemedicine: Doctors consult patients online.
  • Vaccine Development: mRNA technology enabled rapid creation of vaccines.
  • Waste Management: Tech used to track and recycle pandemic-related plastic waste.

Recent Research

  • Study: “Plastic waste release caused by COVID-19 and its fate in the global ocean” (Peng et al., 2021) found that over 8 million tons of pandemic-associated plastic waste had been generated by late 2021, with much ending up in oceans.
  • News: In 2022, researchers confirmed microplastics from pandemic waste in marine life, raising concerns about food safety and ecosystem health.

Glossary

  • SARS-CoV-2: The virus that causes COVID-19.
  • Pandemic: A disease outbreak that spreads across countries or continents.
  • mRNA Vaccine: A vaccine that uses messenger RNA to instruct cells to make a protein that triggers an immune response.
  • Antigen: A substance that causes the immune system to produce antibodies.
  • Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size.
  • Telemedicine: Medical care provided remotely using technology.
  • Contact Tracing: Identifying and notifying people who have been exposed to an infectious disease.

Summary Table

Aspect Key Points
Cause SARS-CoV-2 virus
Transmission Droplets, aerosols, surfaces
Symptoms Fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste/smell
Diagnosis PCR, antigen, antibody tests
Prevention Vaccines, masks, hygiene, distancing
Treatment Supportive care, antivirals, oxygen
Surprising Facts Brain effects, animal cases, long COVID
Global Impact Health, economy, education, environment
Technology Apps, AI, telemedicine, vaccine tech
Plastic Pollution Increased by pandemic, affects oceans

Revision Questions

  1. What is the main way COVID-19 spreads?
  2. Name two symptoms of COVID-19.
  3. How has the pandemic affected plastic pollution?
  4. Give one example of how technology helped fight COVID-19.
  5. What is “long COVID”?

End of Study Notes