“COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States”
The article titled “COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States” presents a chronological overview of the events and the challenges related to COVID-19. It emphasizes the scope of the problematic issues associated with the diseases, including economic, healthcare, and political issues, which amplify the level of threats caused by COVID-19 (“COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States”). The article identifies COVID-19 as a highly contagious disease characterized by respiratory problems. The speed of the pandemic spread outside its original location, China, imposed immediate action of the governments of most of the countries to initiate lockdowns to minimize interpersonal contact as a safety and controlling measure. Specifically developed health care guidelines encouraged people to maintain social distancing and prioritize hand hygiene. In the United States, the epidemic caused approximately 300 000 deaths. The government’s actions aimed at controlling the spread of the disease were inconsistent, which disrupted the performance of healthcare and the economy. Multiple unproven theories and invalidated claims reported by Trump’s Administration slowed the USA’s anti-pandemic actions, calling for more inclusion of the scientific circles to emphasize the seriousness of the disease.
When reading the articles, I obtained an opportunity to look at the multiple problems related to the pandemic from a generalized perspective that presents the complexity of viewpoints. The ideas presented by the authors integrate the multifaceted impact of the pandemic on the contemporary world by changing conventional ways of interaction, working, running a business, and maintaining international relations. It was valuable to learn that scientists and health professionals encounter challenges that reach beyond their primary competencies to convince the authorities to act appropriately with all the seriousness of the illness.
“Food Safety”
The article “Food Safety” presents an overview of foodborne illnesses by discussing the causes and threats of this class of health problems. The authors emphasize the severity and high prevalence of the numerous foodborne diseases that occur daily due to the contamination of food by bacteria because of improper storage, distribution, production, or preparation practices. The array of pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses varies from deadly to mild, but both impose a significant threat to individuals’ health and well-being. Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Clostridium perfringens are the most common foodborne illnesses in the USA, which, among others, occur in 48 million Americans every year (“Food Safety”). Given this scope of prevalence, food safety is prioritized by the CDC guidelines and governmental standards, which encourage safe cooking and consumption habits in households. They include maintaining proper cooking and storage temperatures for consumers and eliminating toxins and dangerous chemicals from products when food is produced. National policies are initiated to control the standardization of food production and distribution for minimized the occurrence of foodborne illnesses, especially during the struggling times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The article has provided me with valuable information about the large number and particular frequency of food-related health problems. I learned that since food is an immediate attribute of any person’s normal functioning, preparation and consumption play a vital role. It was very informative and illuminating to learn that adherence to standards and guidelines concerning food might be overlooked during the pandemic, which is why more caution should be encouraged.
References
“COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.” Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2020. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints. Web.
“Food Safety.” Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2020. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints. Web.