Zhang Aolin, Chen Shuang/China News Network
China News Network reported on December 27 that no matter how reluctant it is, this day has come.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, as of December 27, Beijing time, the cumulative number of confirmed cases of new crown in the world exceeded 80 million! From 60 million to 70 million, it took 16 days, while the latest increase of 10 million cases took only 14 days.
The number of confirmed covid-19 cases is getting faster and faster, the virus has mutated, the infectivity has increased, and even invaded Antarctica... Although 2020 has gradually come to an end, the epidemic situation is still very serious.
Virus "siege", under the crisis, the emergence of vaccines developed by many countries, and successively start vaccination, in this fierce anti-epidemic war, can mankind turn the tide of the war?
On December 20, local time, the British capital London and some surrounding areas began to upgrade epidemic prevention measures, becoming a four-level blockade control area, this news was suddenly announced on the afternoon of the 19th, nearly 300,000 residents through railways, roads and other ways to quickly "flee" London.
The virus mutates and reproduces the "dangerous" situation?
On 19 December, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that a fourth (highest level) blockade would be imposed in London and elsewhere. Subsequently, dozens of countries and regions have announced that they will take "customs sealing" measures against the United Kingdom.
This happened so suddenly because a mutated strain of the new coronavirus was discovered in the UK, leading to a rapid rise in COVID-19 infection rates in places like London.
What is the origin of the mutant virus that makes many countries nervous?
On December 22, local time, Ramsgate, England, waiting for a truck to cross the English Channel stopped on the runway of Manston Airport. Concerned about the mutation of the coronavirus, France has suspended freight and passenger travel from the UK.
- After the virus mutates, the infectivity is increased by up to 70%
On 22 December, WHO noted that the mutant virus was first detected in the south-east of England on 20 September and could increase its infectivity by up to 70%.
In other words, the mutated virus will make the new crown virus spread from person to person faster!
At the time of the emergency response of various countries, British Health Minister Hancock revealed on December 23 that another mutated virus was found in the country, which is more contagious.
In addition, South Africa, Portugal, Brazil and other places have also discovered new variants of the new crown virus.
What is more worrying is that the mutated virus seems to have spread in many countries, including the United States, which has the largest number of confirmed cases...
" 1 person dies every 33 seconds from COVID-19 infection"
A few days ago, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that the mutated virus may have appeared in the United States.
For the United States, where the epidemic is in an "out of control" state, it is nothing less than worse.
According to statistics, more than 330,000 Americans have died of the new crown. Reuters said that in the week ended December 20, 18,000 Americans had been killed by the new crown virus, equivalent to one death every 33 seconds.
In the face of the status quo, US President-elect Biden helplessly warned: "The darkest days have not yet passed."
Infographic: Chile's Base at Bernardo O'ykins Riquelme in Antarctica.
—— The last "pure land" of the earth is also not spared
Recent news has triggered more anxiety among the people.
The only "pure land" of the earth before, Antarctica, is also unable to escape this fate.
On Dec. 21, Chilean officials announced a COVID-19 outbreak at the country's base in Antarctica, with at least 36 people confirmed.
This is no small matter!
Some experts said that due to the extremely low temperature in Antarctica, the virus is likely to be frozen under the ice sheet.
One day a few years later, if the "switch" of the new crown epidemic is "restarted" again, the world that has already returned to calm may fall into catastrophe again.
On December 5, 2020, local time, Oklahoma, usa, in order to prevent excessive contact during the epidemic, Santa Claus interacted with tourists in a balloon.
-- The "Yang Spring Festival" has begun, and the deterioration of the epidemic is likely to accelerate
There are far-sighted worries, and there are more near-term worries!
Recently, the Christmas and New Year holidays in Western countries have arrived one after another, and the so-called "Foreign Spring Festival" has begun.
Although all countries have said that they will strengthen epidemic prevention, large-scale movement of people is still difficult to avoid.
Recently, an advertising slogan appeared on the streets of the United Kingdom to the effect of "I only want one gift for Christmas, that is, 2021".
In 2021, will there really be a turnaround?
Vaccine "rescue", the opportunity to reverse?
If the "battle" between humanity and the new crown virus is compared to a ball game,
It is clear that humanity is still in the ascendant.
However, there is still a "key player" who may be able to help humanity turn the tide of battle.
"His" name, called Vaccine.
On December 8, local time, the United Kingdom began to receive the new crown vaccine, and the medical staff vaccinated margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old woman. According to reports, Keenan was the first person in the country to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
-- "Racing" against the virus, many countries have accelerated the deployment of vaccinations
From eradicating smallpox to forcing polio into a desperate situation,
Vaccines have always been a "weapon" for human beings to defeat disease.
To contain COVID-19, countries are accelerating vaccine approval and vaccination procedures.
Strive to "outperform" the virus.
At present, a number of new crown vaccines have been released around the world, including the "Pfizer" vaccine, the "Monard" vaccine and the "satellite-v" vaccine.
In addition, 15 vaccines in China have entered clinical trials.
Five of these vaccines enter phase III clinical trials.
On 3 December, the UK, which was severely affected, urgently authorized the use of covid-19 vaccines.
Since then, the United States, Germany, Israel and other countries have opened the first round of vaccination. As of Dec. 23, more than a million people in the U.S. had received their "first shot."
Is the vaccine effective against mutated viruses?
Although there is a vaccine, but after the virus mutates, are these "sharp weapons" still useful?
In this regard, many WHO experts believe that there has been no major impact.
However, it is still not to be taken lightly, and many countries are paying close attention to the movement of the mutated virus.
SWAMINET, WHO's chief scientist, also stressed the need for continuous monitoring of genetic changes in the virus and efforts to reduce the rate of transmission of the virus, because the more the virus spreads, the greater the chance of mutation.
Infographic: COVID-19 vaccine
- Are there any side effects of vaccination?
In addition to effectiveness, the safety of vaccines has also attracted much attention.
Since the vaccine was launched, two Britons and many Americans have developed allergies and other adverse reactions after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.
Although some experts believe that there are some side effects of vaccination, there is no need to worry too much, but the head of the British Health Care Regulatory Authority Ryan has previously said: Anyone with a history of vaccine, drug or food allergies should not be vaccinated with this vaccine.
In addition, experts from many countries have pointed out that it is best not to vaccinate pregnant women.
In order to boost the confidence of the American people in vaccines, US President-elect Biden, Vice President Pence, House Speaker Pelosi, infectious disease expert Fauci and others have been publicly vaccinated. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also became the country's first vaccinator.
On December 21, local time, US President-elect Biden publicly vaccinated the new crown vaccine in a hospital in Delaware, hoping to prove the safety of the vaccine to the public.
2020 is coming to an end, and the epidemic is still raging.
But a vaccine that normally takes 10 years to develop successfully has been available in less than a year thanks to the efforts of researchers around the world.
This is enough to show that the victory over the virus is inseparable from global cooperation; and only by working together can we win the final victory!
This issue is edited by Xing Tan