Faculty and Staff Discuss Potential Risks and Ways to Prepare
By Nicholas Papini | Assistant Editor
Image source: Public Health Image Library & CDC
The COVID-19 coronavirus may not yet be a medical threat to the average American, but they will certainly feel the virus’s effects on the economy.
Katherine Kusza, Health Counselor at MWCC said, “[the] coronavirus is not a concern in Massachusetts according the the CDC or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of February 26, there have been 18 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States, excluding the passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. One of those cases was in Massachusetts. However, on February 25, the CDC announced that they expect an increase in spread of the virus in communities.
COVID-19 is the scientific name given to the coronavirus, according to the CDC. Kusza said that the COVID-19 is a respiratory infection similar to the flu, and the two have very similar side effects.
Kusza said that those most at risk of death by the coronavirus are the elderly and the young, and those with immune systems which have been compromised.
Julie Capozzi, Associate Professor of Psychology and Sociology, said that while she feels the coronavirus can be considered an epidemic medically, it is likely to be a pandemic economically.
Elmer Eubanks, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Business, said that one of the greatest fallouts of the borderline pandemic in China is that many US companies, Apple being one of them, rely on China in their supply chains. Eubanks said he believes there are many products which the USA may have shortages of.
Both Capozzi and Eubanks stated that the fluctuation and large drops in the DOW rating are worrying, with Eubanks stating that it has troubling implications for the future.
Eubanks said he feels that if the situation with the coronavirus continues to escalate, businesses and the government will have to think of ways to adapt.
Photo by Nicholas Papini
For businesses, he said that they should have plans for what to do if they encounter an issue in their supply chain or if many of their employees become ill and cannot work for several weeks.
According to Eubanks, the government should begin to consider how to support the citizens who may come down with the coronavirus and require quarantining. If a citizen does not have the support system in place to allow them this leave, the government should consider how to assist them through that.
Capozzi stated that though there is a large amount of news coverage focused on the coronavirus, it is not in any way intended to cause a panic.
“When you have facts and you have valid sites that you go to, that prevents panic,” said Capozzi.
Eubanks stated that there are also new business opportunities that he foresees. There is likely to be a shortage of some key items which the USA primarily imports from oversees, such as facemasks and plastic gloves. He said that with the numerous plastics companies in Central Massachusetts, there may be an opening in the industry.
Kusza’s tips for avoiding receiving or spreading a respiratory illness like the coronavirus or Influenza include: washing hands well, covering the nose and mouth when sneezing, staying home when ill, and seeing a doctor if sick for more than a few days.
“Professors appreciate not getting the flu,” said Kusza.
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