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Dana G.
In early 2020, the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, spread rapidly around the world, causing a global health crisis. The virus overwhelmed healthcare systems, led to economic instability, and highlighted inequalities in society. Vaccines offered hope, but misinformation and hesitancy posed challenges. As the world returns to normal, it is important to remember the lessons learned from the pandemic. Basic hygiene practices like handwashing and covering coughs are crucial in preventing the spread of diseases. Despite the pandemic officially ending, the virus still poses a threat, and relaxing hygiene practices could lead to a resurgence of illnesses. It is important to continue practicing good hygiene to protect vulnerable populations and prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the future.
A few weeks shy of spring 2020, the coronavirus sent health agencies around the world a message: this rapidly spreading, highly infectious disease is far more dangerous than the seasonal flu. The COVID-19 virus quickly ignited a global public health crisis not seen since the 1918 influenza pandemic claimed 21 million lives around the world.
Originating as a viral outbreak in Wuhan, China, COVID-19 dropped a metaphorical bomb on the world. Healthcare systems were overwhelmed, with millions of the usual casualties of war, albeit an undeclared war on the world.
Economies tumbled as lockdowns and restrictions were imposed to curb the virus’s spread, leading to massive job losses, business closures, and economic instability. Social isolation became a norm, impacting mental health and exacerbating loneliness and depression.
Furthermore, the pandemic highlighted deep-seated inequalities, with marginalized communities suffering the most due to disparities in healthcare access and socioeconomic stability. The rapid development of vaccines offered hope, yet misinformation and vaccine hesitancy posed significant challenges.
As the world continues its return to the new normal, the pandemic must not be forgotten. We must be aware of new, deadlier viruses, the threat is still with us.
In retrospect, the pandemic was a precursor to how world wars might be fought in the future. COVID-19 brought the world to its knees. Embedding itself into a biological bomb, the virus packed all the grotesque death and destruction of a nuclear warhead. Perhaps it was a dry run, testing a virus’s capacity for igniting and winning a world war. Only time will tell.
In the meantime, as the day-to-day inconveniences of the pandemic fade from memory we cannot allow ourselves to forget about practicing basic infectious disease measures. In February, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reminded the public that although the pandemic has officially ended, “COVID-19 still poses a public health threat”.
At the height of the pandemic, society and institutions offered a variety of methods designed to stop the spread of the virus. The most effective public health safeguards are basic precautions such as frequent handwashing and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing.
In a perfect world, these precautions would become lifelong habits, not just health crisis management tactics. Nevertheless, even a casual observation of post-pandemic behavior in public places will show people drifting back to poor hygiene habits, creating an environment where infectious disease is easily spread.
This is a cause for concern. Despite the ongoing vaccination efforts and the recent declaration that the pandemic has ended, the virus continues to circulate, leading to hospitalizations and fatalities.
The Baltimore Times is a community advocate for maintaining and practicing good hygiene to promote wellness. Following basic routines such as frequent handwashing is the best, most cost-effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Here’s why health matters:
The first and perhaps most compelling reason to continue these practices is their proven effectiveness in reducing the transmission of viruses and bacteria. Regular handwashing with soap, for instance, has been shown to decrease the incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases by a significant margin.
The simple act of washing hands can remove pathogens that can be acquired by touching contaminated surfaces or direct contact with infected individuals. Similarly, covering one’s mouth when coughing or sneezing can significantly reduce the dispersion of respiratory droplets, which are a primary transmission mode of COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses.
Maintaining these habits is also essential for protecting vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. While healthy individuals may experience mild symptoms from infections like COVID-19, these groups are at a higher risk of severe illness and death.
Although the perceived threat of COVID-19 has diminished, it is a concern to see sanitizing stations disappearing from high-traffic public places like supermarkets, sports venues, and places of worship.
According to the CDC, relaxing hygiene practices as the pandemic wanes could lead to a resurgence of not only COVID-19 but also other infectious diseases that were previously under control, such as the flu and measles. The lessons learned during the pandemic underscore the need for a proactive approach to disease prevention.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges, it has also presented an opportunity to reevaluate and improve our hygiene practices. Maintaining these habits is critical not only in the ongoing fight against COVID-19 but also serves as a foundation for preventing the spread of future infectious diseases.