As winter continues on, many of us find ourselves trying to do our best to stay healthy and do whatever we can to avoid getting sick. Things like the flu and common cold always reach their maximum potential during these cold months. In America, we take precautions by getting vaccinated or washing our hands more than usual and making sure to do things that strengthen our immune system. However, many of the Chinese students that we have spent time with now have much more to deal with after returning to China last month. 

For the past month, a disease with flu-like symptoms has caused many throughout China and the rest of the world to worry. At least 41 people are known to have died from the virus, which appeared in China around December. There are already hundreds of confirmed cases, and experts expect the number will keep rising. Officials in China have confirmed the cases are caused by a coronavirus. The virus most likely started in Wuhan, a major city in China with a population about the size of London. Wuhan is effectively on lockdown, with heavy restrictions on travel in and out, and public transport options from buses to planes have been canceled. The city has begun to run out of supplies and hospitals have been filled with nervous members of the public.

The virus starts with a fever, followed by a dry cough and then, after a week, leads to shortness of breath and some patients needing hospital treatment. The virus can leave patients with pneumonia, which is always a worry, especially in a place like China with poor air quality in crowded cities. Around one-in-four cases are thought to be severe.

Even though Wuhan is on high alert, many news stations are making this virus seem more than it actually is. In places like China where there are high population densities, extreme measures need to be taken to prevent rapid spreading throughout the country. But for places like Rocky Mount, we can rest easy.