THE IMPACT OF COVID-19

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is of unprecedented scope and magnitude, affecting the
health and socioeconomic situation of millions of people across the globe. In pairs, answer the
questions below to see how much do you know about the coronavirus crisis.
1) When and where was the first COVID-19 case ever reported?

2) Who declared the Covid-19 outbreak an international pandemic and when?

3) Why is this type of virus named “coronavirus”?

4) SARS is a disease caused by coronaviruses, what does this acronym stand for?

5) How did this new virus originate?

6) How does the disease spread and what are its main symptoms?

7) What is the average incubation period for COVID-19?

8) What kind of people at are higher risk from coronavirus?

9) How is the infection commonly diagnosed?

10) How can transmission be prevented?

Watch this video to see if your answers were right.

THE IMPACT OF COVID ON LANGUAGE. The pandemic has produced its fair share of new terms
that are blends of other words or clips, like the ones below. Can you guess what they mean? Read
the article below and find out.
the rona maskne zoombombing Quarantini covidiot doomscrolling hamsterkauf coronials

In April, the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary did something unusual. For the previous 20 years, they had
issued quarterly updates to announce new words and meanings selected for inclusion. These updates have typically
been made available in March, June, September and December. In the late May, however, and  again in July and
September 2020, the dictionary’s editors released special updates, citing a need to document the impact of the COVID-
19 pandemic on the English language. They’ve documented the creation of new word blends based on previously
existing vocabulary and now they need to decide whether or not any of these terms has enough staying power to be
enshrined in the dictionary.

Coinages include, “rona”, a short for coronavirus observed in the US and Australia, “maskne,” an acne outbreak caused
by facial coverings; “zoombombing,” which is when strangers intrude on video conferences; and “quarantini,” a cocktail
consumed in isolation. Other new blends include “covidiot,” for someone who ignores public safety recommendations;
“doomscrolling,” which happens when you skim anxiety-inducing pandemic-related stories on your smartphone; and the
German term “hamsterkauf,” or panic buying. My favourite one so far is “coronial”, the term assigned to the generation
who were conceived during the novel coronavirus quarantine period. Whether such terms will be in common usage after
the pandemic is anyone’s guess.
 Adapted from: https://theconversation.com/how-covid-19-is-changing-the-english-language-146171

HERD IMMUNITY. Amidst the Coronavirus chaos, we often hear the term 'Herd Immunity' and many
experts are of the view that it will help in treating the highly contagious virus in populated
countries. Discuss in pairs: 1) Are you familiar with this term? 2) Can vaccination help a community to
reach herd immunity? Watch this video and answer the two questions just mentioned.
MENTAL HEALTH. The psychological impact of the pandemic cannot be underestimated. What are some
of the negative effects of the Covid crisis on individuals’ mental health? How can we deal with them?
Discuss in pairs. Watch this video and answer questions 1-7.
1) What were the main psychological symptoms experienced by SARS patients and relatives?

2) According to the psychologist, what is the most important tip to cope with stress?

3) How should we manage news consumption in times of coronavirus?

4) What does he mean by “give yourself a break”?

5) Why do some people feel the urge of being productive?

6) What can give us a sense of control over our thoughts?

7) What can we do to control the physical effects of anxiety?

INTERACTION CARD
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Speaking time: 4-5 minutes

TOPIC: THE IMPACT OF COVID 19

Consider the statements below on the topic of the impact of coronavirus

1. Talk to each other about how these statements represent different barriers to healthy
eating
2. Then decide together which of the statements best reflects the most important
challenge(s) derived from the COVID-19 crisis.

 People across Europe have experienced an upturn in their situation overall post-
lockdown, with increases in working hours and lower levels of job insecurity. Despite
measures to support those who lost their job being introduced rapidly in many countries,
well over half of unemployed respondents did not receive any official financial support
since the outbreak of COVID-19, forcing many to rely heavily on informal support.

 Young people are emerging as some of lockdown’s biggest losers who, along with
those out of work, report the lowest levels of well-being, despite some improvement
since the onset of the pandemic. While life satisfaction and optimism increased since
September, teenagers continue to feel excluded from society and remain at greatest
risk of depression showing how restrictions during lockdown affect them more.

 Workers in the health sector report feeling emotionally drained, what leads to increasing
medical error, lower productivity, and higher turnover rates.. In view of this, it is
indispensable that healthcare stakeholders create plans to support the mental health of
workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remember you must both talk about all the three statements.
 You needn’t come to an agreement, but you have to support your point.

KEY
COVID-19 QUIZ
1) When and where was the first COVID-19 case ever reported?
In December 2019, there was a cluster of pneumonia cases in the city of Wuhan in China; most of the
people infected had reported visiting or working in the city’s seafood and live animal market

2) Who declared the Covid-19 outbreak an international pandemic and when?

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health
emergency of international concern.

3) Why is this type of virus named “coronavirus”?

Because of its shape; coronaviruses consist of a core of genetic material surrounded by a lipid envelope
with protein spikes. This gives them the appearance of a crown or “corona” in Latin and in Spanish and
Galician.

4) SARS is a disease caused by coronaviruses, what does SARS stand for?

Severe acute respiratory síndrome

5) How did this new virus originate?

Coronaviruses circulate in a range of animals. Sometimes, these viruses can make a jump from animals to
humans; this is called a spillover a can be due to a range of factors such as mutations in the virus or
increased contact between humans and animals. The animal reservoir of the new coronavirus is not known
yet.

6) How does the disease spread and what are its main symptoms?
It can spread from person to person through droplets, when an infected person releases those droplets
through coughing, talking or sneezing when close to another person; it can also spread when droplets land
objects and when another person touches them and then touches his/her eyes, nose or mouth. There can
be a range of symptoms, from very mild (fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of your
sense of taste or smell, skin rash to severe (pneumonia, organ failure)

7) What is the average incubation period for COVID-19?

From 5 to 6 days but can range from 1 to 14 days

8) What kind of people at are higher risk from coronavirus?

Older people, people with underlying medical problems such as chronic respiratory disease, obesity,
diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer.

9) How is the infection commonly diagnosed?

By a test called PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), which identifies the virus based on its genetic
fingerprint; a blood test that checks for antibodies against the virus therefore showing if someone was
infected in the past.
 10) How can transmission be prevented?
The spread of the disease can be prevented by covering your mouth and nose when coughing and
sneezing by a flexed elbow or a tissue and throwing it in a closed bin immediately after use; washing
your hand regularly with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub; mainting at least 1m distance
from people and by adequate use of mask and personal protection equipment especially in health
settings. It’s important to stay home if unwell and seek medical care early if you show symptoms.

LISTENING

8) What were the main psychological symptoms experienced by SARS patients and relatives?
Anxiety and depression, mood disorders
9) According to the psychologist, what is the most important tip to cope with stress?
To stay in contact with others
10) How should we manage news consumption in times of coronavirus?
Limit access to the news, set a time to consume information and then carry on with your regular day
11) What does he mean by “give yourself a break”?
Accept that things don’t need to be perfect; we need to revisit what it means to be productive, which is
not the same as overworking
12) Why do some people feel the urge of being productive?
Because their sense of self-worth is tied to producing a lot
13) What can give us a sense of control over our thoughts?
To change what if? For now what?
14) What can we do to control the physical effects of anxiety?
Control our breathing