COVID-19 Cases
12/6 - 12/12
By Kilani Monterroso '21
In State Cases
In the week of December 6, starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday, December 12, health officials have announced 62,887 new cases over the past 7 days. As of 12/6, in total, there are 1,304 deaths due to COVID-19 in the state of Illinois.
Source: ABC7 Chicago News
Global Cases
Globally, there are 72,385,935 COVID-19 cases. That total number includes people who have recently been infected, died, and/or recovered from COVID-19.
Specifically, there are 1,615,052 COVID-19 deaths around the world.
Specifically, there are 47,374,843 people who have recovered from COVID-19.
Adolescents' Mental Health (Click on arrow)
Scientists have noticed that during this pandemic and lock-down, mental health has been negatively affecting teenagers more than ever. During yearly doctor visits and tests, scientists have seen that depression and anxiety cases have been skyrocketing. Scientists have also been saying that sleep cycles took a turn in the wrong direction and that is also negatively influencing adolescents’ health. Many adults, such as parents, don’t believe this is true because many cultures don’t believe in mental health and think that teenagers’ physical health is what should be focused on the most.
Since adolescents don’t have in-person classes, friends to see, extracurricular activities, and more, their social interactions are less than what they ever were. They are getting tired of sitting in front of a screen for six to eight hours of school every day and then doing homework for certain classes.
Doctors are encouraging parents, guardians, and teachers to help students during these hard times. Parents and guardians are encouraged to see if their child’s mood and personality have been changing and, if so, to do something about it. Teachers are encouraged to not overload kids with homework and projects and to have some days that are easier than others.
If you ever feel depressed you can text the number 741741 or you can call 1-800-487-4889. Both numbers are free, confidential, and open 24/7.
Ravi Baichwal Article
Holiday Restrictions
The U.S. government and health officials are telling the public to avoid gathering with family and friends who are outside of their immediate households. Many holidays are coming up and that means more people will want to gather like they do every year.
We are all being encouraged to stay at home to slow down the virus— at least until New Year’s. If you insist on gathering, health officials are encouraging people to put on a mask and possibly a face shield when going to other people’s houses. They are also saying that you should bring your own plates, utensils, and food so that you aren't contaminated by other germs and viruses. Officials are also saying that we should get the flu shot so we are protected and informed. If someone starts showing flu-like symptoms, then they will know to be tested for COVID-19 since they have already had the flu vaccination.
Sources: CDC
COVID-19 Vaccine
Pfizer and Moderna, two American pharmaceutical companies, are steps away from receiving emergency approval from the FDA to start the vaccine distribution the week of December 14th, 2020, to help fight COVID-19. Moderna is still working on the last rounds of trials on patients to test the effectiveness and safety.
Both Moderna’s and Pfizer’s vaccines need different temperatures for them to stay active and effective. Pfizer's vaccine needs to stay at -94 degrees Fahrenheit. Moderna’s vaccine needs to stay at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. These COVID-19 vaccines are both live vaccines. A live vaccine means that the vaccine itself contains strands of the weakened virus. If, in the future, we get exposed to the virus we won’t get it because our immune system already was exposed to it by the vaccine and we are immune to it. But this shouldn’t scare anyone because many of the vaccines that we get are live, such as the flu, chickenpox, and measles. There will be two dosages of the vaccine so that means that when you get the first dose of the vaccine thirty days or more will have to pass and then the second dose will be given. The vaccine will give us the same symptoms as the flu vaccine, which is a low-grade fever, headache, and muscle aches.
United Airlines and DHL shipping are now approved to carry the vaccines and ship them to the states. Other airlines, such as Southwest, are starting their trials on shipping both vaccines with different temperatures to try to get shipping approval. Moderna has asked the European nations to grant access to ship out the vaccines when available. The United Kingdom has already started to vaccinate people. All 50 states are already waiting for the vaccine to arrive. Chicago could be vaccinating people by the end of December, but healthcare workers will be first in line. California and Arkansas will be getting the first round of vaccines by mid-December.
Sources: ABC7 Chicago News Articles by Luz Pena
CNN 10 by Carl Azuz