The inevitable happened on Thursday – the World Health Organization finally declared the coronavirus an official global emergency. That formal declaration comes as worry and even hysteria about the epidemic is spreading rapidly across the world, including here in Canada. Today in The Conversation Canada, we have two informative pieces about the coronavirus.
Jason Kindrachuk of the University of Manitoba, a Canada Research Chair in emerging viruses, and Alyson Kelvin of the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology at Dalhousie University look at how social media has changed – for better and worse – the world’s reaction to this epidemic compared to the SARS outbreak in 2003. And Yvonne Su of the University of Guelph looks at how residents of Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, are keeping each other strong as the city of 11 million has essentially been shut down.
Also today:
Regards,
|
Medical workers talk with a woman suspected of being ill with a coronavirus at a community health station in Wuhan, China, in January 2020.
Chinatopix via AP
Jason Kindrachuk, University of Manitoba; Alyson Kelvin, Dalhousie University
Social media has allowed researchers around the world to collaborate and co-ordinate their efforts to fight the outbreak and contain its spread.
|
Because of the coronavirus, most pictures of people in Wuhan are in protective gear and masks like this one of people buying face masks on Jan. 22. Recent chants by residents of ‘stay strong Wuhan’ help to both encourage and humanize residents.
AP Photo/Dake Kang
Yvonne Su, University of Guelph
During a crisis, communities seek to come together. But quarantined residents of Wuhan at the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic have had to show their encouragement in a different way.
|
The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) is a research facility designed to simulate conditions on Mars.
(Olave Krigolson)
Olave Krigolson, University of Victoria
In preparation for possible future missions to Mars, scientists figure out how to quickly and efficiently measure brain performance and mental fatigue.
|
Vancouver has become a money-laundering haven. Can a public inquiry find solutions?
Mike Benna/Unsplash
Robert Diab, Thompson Rivers University
A public inquiry into money laundering underway in British Columbia holds out hope for reform, but the problems run deep.
|
Business + Economy
|
-
Daniel Keith, University of York; Liisa Talving, University of Tartu; Sofia Vasilopoulou, University of York
How the public ranks different post-Brexit trade partners and which sections of the economy they prioritise.
|
|
Politics
|
-
Clark D. Cunningham, Georgia State University
Calling witnesses and reviewing documents fit the Founders' goals for impeachment to curb the president's unilateral power.
|
|
Science + Technology
|
-
Emese M Bordy, University of Cape Town
These trackways offer rare insights about ancient life in a stressful, hostile environment during the Early Jurassic.
|
|