Read the text and answer the questions
Word of the day: pandemic
Wherever you are in the world, the news over the last few weeks has almost
certainly been dominated by one story – the ongoing efforts to stop – or at
least contain – the spread of Covid-19, a disease better known by the rather
misleading name coronavirus. In fact, coronoviruses are a large family of viruses
ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases like SARS. Covid-19 got its
name because it was identified last year, so its ID was discovered in 2019.
As the disease continues to spread around the world, the news is full of
stories about the number of people who have now been infected with the
disease and the rising death toll. As I write, more than 3000 people have already
died after contracting the disease, a figure which is expected to keep on rising.
Despite the fact that they’re closing schools and universities in some
countries, cancelling big conferences elsewhere and even restricting free
movement, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a mass outbreak is still highly
likely.
In effect, what this will mean is that the disease becomes a pandemic. In other
words, it will spread in mutiple countries and continents at the same time. It will
become a disease that exists around the world, like AIDS or cholera or malaria. Much
of what’s driving the current mass hysteria is a fear of the unknown. The worst
pandemics of the past killed tens of millions of people, and so far, no-one really
knows quite what effect a global outbreak of Covid-19 will have. However, it’s
probably not going to be as bad as the worst-case scenario predictions are
suggesting. So far, fewer than 2% of those who’ve tested positive for the
disease have died, but if you’re aged 70 or over, you’re obviously more at risk.
One major worry is how well the NHS – the National Health System – will be
able to cope. Since the financial crisis of 2008, it’s been cut to the bone and even
though they’re now taking steps to make sure they’re ready for the disease, it’s still
one area of concern. Another fear is that people employed in the gig economy –
people who have temporary contracts or who are doing separate pieces of work,
each paid separately, rather than working for one employer – won’t be able to afford
to take time off if and when they get sick. They don’t get sick pay as they’re not
properly employed, and so may carry on working even if they have some of the
symptoms of the disease – a bad cough, a temperature and trouble breathing.
In many parts of the world, shops are running out of the essentials like toilet
paper, soap . . . and face masks! People have been stockpiling things – buying large
amounts of things they think they might need. This allows them to self-isolate – to
stay inside for a long period of time, away from other people who may be carrying
the disease. Of course, when there are shortages, a black market usually develops
and you can buy things you want – at a price!
Perhaps inevitably, some people are reacting to the current situation in a
very superstitious way, believing in the power of luck or magic or God to ward off
the disease. And, of course, some people are responding to the never-ending news
stories about the disease in a more cynical way. They think the newspapers are
simply fearmongering – spreading fear and panic to attract more readers – and they
complain about people panic-buying things in the supermarkets.
Unsurprisingly, there are already lots of different conspiracy theories about the
disease. In fact, these ideas seem to be spreading faster than the disease itself! For
example, some people believe the whole thing is just a way for the government
to keep people scared and easy to control, while others think it’s a way for rich
business people to inflate prices and make more money!
One thing’s for sure: there’s going to be a lot more news about Covid-19 in
the coming days and weeks as governments step up their efforts to combat the
disease, and start introducing emergency measures like the Italian government did
this week, when they announced that all Serie A football matches will now be played
behind closed doors!
Stay calm.
Stay safe out there.
And don’t forget to wash your hands.
Write your opinion on the following questions:
How worried about Covid-19 are you? Why?
How well prepared do you think your city / country is for a mass
outbreak?
What else could be done?
What lessons do you think we can learn from this whole situation?
Have you heard of any superstitious ways of responding to the disease?
Have you heard any conspiracy theories about the disease?
Do you think the story is being well reported or do you think there’s
some fearmongering going on?
Read the article
The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning young people
all over the world that they are also at risk from COVID-19. The WHO
said young people are not exempt from catching the coronavirus. Many
young people mistakenly believe they will not catch the virus because of
their age. They think it is a disease that only older people catch. The
WHO said the truth is that young people are catching the coronavirus
and becoming ill or dying from it. It added that young people are also
spreading the disease to their parents, grandparents and other people.
The White House also urged young adults to follow advice and to avoid
gathering in large groups to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The Director-General of the WHO said: "Today, I have a message
for young people: You are not invincible." He added: "This coronavirus
could put you in hospital for weeks, or even kill you. Even if you don't
get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the
difference between life and death for someone else." The WHO said: "A
significant proportion of patients treated in hospital for COVID-19
around the world are aged under 50." New York Governor Andrew
Cuomo said many young people are not following the state's social-
distancing rules. He told young people that: "This is a public health issue
and you cannot be endangering other peoples' health."
Match the words with their meanings
1 at risk a. Free from having to do something or having
. something done to you.
2 exempt b. The things that are true.
.
3 catch c. Stop something from happening.
.
4 truth d. Get an illness, infection or disease.
.
5 urged e. Keep away from or stop oneself from doing
. something.
6 avoid f. In danger.
.
7 prevent g. Tried hard to get someone to do something.
.
Paragraph 2
8. invincible h. The possibility of selecting between two or more
things.
9. choice i. The state of being alive and living.
10 life j. An important topic or problem for debate or
. discussion.
11 death k. Important.
.
12 significant l. The action or fact of dying or being killed.
.
13 proportion m. Too strong to be defeated.
.
14 issue n. A part, share, or number compared to a whole.
.
TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
1. The WHO told young people they are at risk from COVID-19. T / F
2. The article says 90% or young people think they cannot catch the virus. T / F
3. The WHO said only aged people can catch COVID-19. T / F
4. The White House urged people not to gather in large groups. T / F
5. The WHO warned young people they are not invincible. T / F
6. The WHO said young people must think about where they go. T / F
7. Many COVID-19 hospital patients are under 50 years old. T / F
8. New York's governor said young people were following rules. T / F
